Psycho

Psycho is a 1960 American psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The screenplay, written by Joseph Stefano, was based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and John Gavin. Psycho is considered one of Hitchcock's best films and is highly regarded as a major work of cinematic art by critics and scholars.

Plot

The film centers on the encounter between Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a secretary who ends up at a secluded motel after embezzling money from her employer, and Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), the motel's disturbed owner-manager. The story unfolds with a shocking murder and a subsequent investigation that reveals dark secrets about Norman and his relationship with his mother.

Cast

• Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
• Janet Leigh as Marion Crane
• Vera Miles as Lila Crane
• John Gavin as Sam Loomis
• Martin Balsam as Detective Arbogast

Production

Psycho was produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film was shot in black and white, which was a stylistic choice to keep the budget low and to avoid the graphic nature of the story. The iconic shower scene, which took seven days to shoot, is one of the most famous scenes in film history.

Music

The film's score was composed by Bernard Herrmann, whose use of string instruments in the score, particularly in the shower scene, has become iconic. Herrmann's score is often cited as one of the greatest film scores of all time.

Reception

Upon its release, Psycho received mixed reviews but was a box office success. Over time, it has gained critical acclaim and is now considered one of the greatest films ever made. The film's influence on the horror genre and its innovative narrative techniques have been widely studied and discussed.

Legacy

Psycho has had a significant impact on popular culture and has inspired numerous sequels, a remake, and a television series. The character of Norman Bates has become an iconic figure in horror cinema.

Related Pages

• Alfred Hitchcock
• Psychological horror
• Robert Bloch
• Bernard Herrmann
• Norman Bates
• Marion Crane