Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam, Vera Miles, John Gavin Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Universal Studios Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 27, 1998 Running Time: 109 minutes Theatrical Release Date: June 16, 1960
Amazon.com essential video: At last--a great American movie available on video for the first time in its original aspect ratio. For all the slasher pictures that have ripped off Psycho (and particularly its classic set piece, the "shower scene"), nothing has ever matched the impact of the real thing. More than just a first-rate shocker full of thrills and suspense, Psycho is also an engrossing character study in which director Alfred Hitchcock skillfully seduces you into identifying with the main characters--then pulls the rug (or the bathmat) out from under you. Anthony Perkins is unforgettable as Norman Bates, the mama's boy proprietor of the Bates Motel; and so is Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, who makes an impulsive decision and becomes a fugitive from the law, hiding out at Norman's roadside inn for one fateful night. Psycho gets the masterpiece treatment it deserves on DVD, with extras including newsreel footage surrounding the making and release of the movie; an archive of production stills; the special trailer in which Hitchcock (acting as one of the original Universal Studio tour guides) himself leads viewers around the Bates place; credit designer Saul Bass's original "shower scene" story boards; posters and advertising materials for the movie's William Castle-like publicity campaign (No One Will Be Seated After the Feature Begins!); and a 90-minute documentary on the making of the film! What more could any movie fan possibly want? --Jim Emerson
Amazon.com: At last--a great American movie available on video for the first time in its original aspect ratio. For all the slasher pictures that have ripped off Psycho (and particularly its classic set piece, the "shower scene"), nothing has ever matched the impact of the real thing. More than just a first-rate shocker full of thrills and suspense, Psycho is also an engrossing character study in which director Alfred Hitchcock skillfully seduces you into identifying with the main characters--then pulls the rug (or the bathmat) out from under you. Anthony Perkins is unforgettable as Norman Bates, the mama's boy proprietor of the Bates Motel; and so is Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, who makes an impulsive decision and becomes a fugitive from the law, hiding out at Norman's roadside inn for one fateful night. Psycho gets the masterpiece treatment it deserves on DVD, with extras including newsreel footage surrounding the making and release of the movie; an archive of production stills; the special trailer in which Hitchcock (acting as one of the original Universal Studio tour guides) himself leads viewers around the Bates place; credit designer Saul Bass's original "shower scene" story boards; posters and advertising materials for the movie's William Castle-like publicity campaign (No One Will Be Seated After the Feature Begins!); and a 90-minute documentary on the making of the film! What more could any movie fan possibly want? --Jim Emerson
Hitchcock's best I have never forgotten this movie from the first time I saw it in a theater. The shower scene scared me along with a lot of others there. At the time I had a Ford like Janet Leigh drove in the movie and would not open the trunk for a couple of weeks. I have it on tape and just had to add the Special Edition to my DVD collection of Hitchcock movies. It is one of his best. The fools that thought they could remake this movie were nuts. Part of what makes the movie so good is that it is in black and white. Besides no one can out do the master when it comes to mystery and the way he seemed to know the best actors for the roles. No one was as good at playing a Psycho as Tony Perkins.
Great Special Edition I'd been waiting to buy Psycho until a worthy special edition came along, and i'm glad i did. This has just about anything you'd want to know about the movie and a great transfer to boot. Even after knowing all of the secrets about the movie, it still packs quite a punch.
horror, black humour and a bloody tale: the first of its kind! "Mr. Hitchcock, because of your movie, my daughter is afraid to take a shower"
"You may have her dry cleaned"
That was Hitchcock's response to a mother who was concerned about her daughter's reaction to his film Psycho. This is a film that really affects the viewer. It's the first modern film on the subject of the psychotic killer. Its' narrative is one of the most influential in the genre of suspense and horror. The shower scene alone is proof of its' merit. It set a new standard for editing.
ATTENTION! REVIEW OF THE NEW SPECIAL EDITION After the first release of Psycho on DVD,the disc istself was crammed with wonderful features.Now under Universal Legacy it got released once again-but be warned-The film itself looks better,but not marginally.The Features are exact the same with the exception of a new Audio Commenatary and two new docs.As a Special Bonus you get the classic episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS : A LAMB FOR THE SLAUGHTER.So decide for yourself:If you haven't own the first release this is the one to buy.Otherwise save your dollars.
I love it. Thank you so much I have wanted this movie forever and now I got it. Thanks a million.
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