IMDb > Psycho (1960)
Psycho
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Psycho (1960) More at IMDbPro »

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Psycho -- Ends 09/30/10. Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, this 1960 shocker remains one of the greatest movies ever made. Anthony Perkins is awkward motel owner Norman Bates whose creepy old 'mother' has a penchant for slaughtering her visitors...or young women who attract her big, bold son. Filled with twists, suspense, Bernard Herrmann's epic score, the shower scene, and more.
Psycho -- A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.
Psycho -- Marion Crane is brutally stabbed in this famous scene.
Psycho -- A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.
Psycho -- Watch 'Psycho' on Cinemax on Fancast

Overview

User Rating:
8.7/10   142,964 votes »
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Down 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Joseph Stefano (screenplay)
Robert Bloch (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Psycho on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 August 1960 (Brazil) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
A new- and altogether different- screen excitement!!! See more »
Plot:
A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(263 articles)
Not Available on DVD: The Last Embrace
 (From WeAreMovieGeeks.com. 10 September 2010, 4:11 AM, PDT)

Five Essential... British Film Directors
 (From Flickeringmyth. 3 September 2010, 9:47 AM, PDT)

In The August Notebook
 (From MUBI. 1 September 2010, 8:59 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Perkins Is Remarkable See more (701 total) »


Additional Details

Also Known As:
Runtime:
109 min | Germany:108 min (cut)
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Chile:14 (re-rating) | Chile:18 (original rating) | Germany:12 (re-rating) (2006) | Portugal:M/12 | West Germany:18 (original rating) (nf) | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1969) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1960) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1965) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | Czech Republic:U | New Zealand:R16 | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | Argentina:16 (original rating) | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | France:-12 (re-release) | France:-16 | Israel:16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1960) | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (re-release) | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #19564) (original rating) | USA:M (re-rating) (1968) | USA:R (re-rating) (1984)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Trademark: [Alfred Hitchcock] [bathroom]Marion hides in the bathroom to count the required number of bills.See more »
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: The shadow of the camera falls on the lady examining the pesticide can in Sam's hardware store.See more »
Quotes:
Lila Crane:Look, that old woman, whoever she is, she told Arbogast something. I want her to tell us the same thing.
Sam Loomis:Hold it, you can't go up there.
Lila Crane:Why not?
Sam Loomis:Bates.
Lila Crane:Then, let's find him. One of us can keep him occupied while the other gets to the old woman.
Sam Loomis:You'll never be able to hold him still even if he doesn't want to be held. And, I don't like you going into that house alone.
Lila Crane:I can handle a sick old woman!
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in 'Torn Curtain' Rising (2000) (V)See more »

FAQ

What kind of rocking chair swivels around like that?
Where exactly is the nudity?
Is "Psycho" based on a novel?
See more »
162 out of 228 people found the following review useful.
Perkins Is Remarkable, 12 September 2000
Author: Josh (darkjosh333@yahoo.com) from Los Angeles, CA

Most modern-day horror films make the killer to be an absolutely inhuman, grotesque, unimaginable monster in order to scare the audience out of its wits. Most of the time, however, these stereotypes create a generic murderer a raving, ranting, clearly demented psychopath. One of the few memorable cinematic killers that does not adhere to these restraints and cliches is, of course, Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter, whom manages to effectively cause the audience to recoil without such drek as the aforementioned devices.

Anthony Perkins' skillfully crafts his performance as Norman Bates, avoiding a ranting, raving, drooling, murder-happy, manic characterization; instead his performance as Norman is subtle, creepy, cool, and unsettling. He is brilliant; from his quiet conversations with Marion Crane amidst the stuffed birds, to his weasling wimpiness when confronted by Arbogast, his performance is so exact that it chills the viewer, all without the unnecessary disturbing images prevalent in more modern films (read The Cell, Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer).

Perkin's fine performance, a tight script, and Bernstein's classic score make Psycho a film that is now and will always be remembered as one of the pinnacles of the horror genre.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (701 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Psycho (1960)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
People laughing in the cinema? nu_riot
First hand experience from Premiere night, 1960 davisk957
Rated R? federeragassi
Psycho vs Shining imperialcross
A boy's best friend is his mother showerhead
It's good but not as good. undolldai
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