Steven

Payne Psycho (1960) Dir. Alfred Hitchcock

Unit Four Storytelling

Psycho is a thriller movie, considered an early example of the slasher sub-genre of horror. At the time of its release, it was a totally unique title, somewhat of a throwback in comparison to the more technically revolutionary films of the time. This more traditional approach is no reflection of the films quality, and it could be said that this is what gives the subtle aspects of Psycho that bit more impact. It is also known that the film was made on a shoestring budget in comparison to Hitchcocks other cinematic endeavors, and yet drama and intensity of the feature is anything but lacking. It assured us that a B-movie could be A- grade in quality and innovation (Jenkins, 2010) Psycho has come to be known as a cinematic masterpiece, contributing largely to fundamentals behind modern filmmaking and storytelling, although the initial audience reaction to the film wasnt so flattering. Its graphic representations of violence and sexuality were understandably taboo given the period in which the film was released, and yet for years after, filmmakers were practically drenching their films in sex and violence in order to draw in their audience (just look at any exploitation film from the 1970s). This was not an ear known for slasher-style horror. In this regard, Psycho was way ahead of its time (Shaffer, 2010) As is expected from any of Hitchcocks films, Psycho does an impressive job of manipulating its audience. The tension is constantly being turned up a notch, only to have the tone shift entirely in the next scene. This method of constantly keeping the audience on the edge of their seats makes it all the more shocking when Hitchcock finally pushes them off and the truth is revealed. As said in a review of Psycho in Total Film, There are numerous red herrings in Psycho: The initial tryst, the stolen money, the traffic cop. Hitchcock deliberately manipulates the viewers sympathies. (Total Film, 1998) The shower scene is one of the most iconic scenes in regards to both cinematic history and cinematography in general. The scene has been pastiched in practically every medium, including cheap, totally unrelated Halloween merchandise. Its a testament to the longevity of the films dramatic impact, the fact that years after the films release, this one scene continues to retain its initial shock factor. The modern impact of this scene is not necessarily because of the horror it brought to the film, but also because it summarizes everything the horror genre has come to be known for. Every distinctive element of the stereotypical horror movie (including, but not limited to, slasher movies) is captured in this fairly minimal scene. Piercing audio, overwhelming, disorienting cuts between shots and a damsel in distress make this scene the template for the average horror film. Although the lasting appeal of the film may not be down to these cinematic elements at all, but more because of the films initial controversy and the genuine terror that was instilled within moviegoers of the time. It is a rarity that a horror movie made nowadays is genuinely horrifying. There seems to be a very recent resurrection of 1970s ideas surrounding exploitation, where filmmakers are simply pouring buckets of extreme and visually distasteful gore and violence into their films in an attempt to make them scarier,
Fig. 1 Psycho Film Poster

Steven Payne

Unit Four Storytelling

taking the skill out of the horror genre entirely. Compared to these films, Psycho is considerably tamer, but it shows clearly that less is often more, a rule that many filmmakers would do well to remember. Bibliography Quotes Jenkins, D. (2010) Psycho. In: timeout.com 1.4.10 [online] http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/71535/psycho.html (Accessed on 19/2/12) Shaffer, R.L. (2010) Psycho: 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray Review. In: uk.bluray.ign.com 21.10.10 [online] http://uk.bluray.ign.com/articles/112/1129323p1.html (Accessed on 19/2/12) Total Film. (1998) Psycho. In: totalfilm.com 31.7.98 [online] http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/psycho (Accessed on 19/2/12) List of Illustrations Fig. 1. Psycho Film Poster From: Psycho Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock. [film poster] USA: Paramount Pictures.