Tension in Hitchcock's Psycho

Tension in Hitchcock's Psycho

Hitchcock produced 'Psycho' in 1960. It was a groundbreaking film as

it was the first American motion picture to feature a toilet being

flushed. Also, Janet Leigh was shown in her underwear on more than one

occasion, and, during the famous shower scene, it's possible to see

hints of flesh.

Hitchcock used the media to sell his film to a younger, fresher

audience. The poster for this movie, at that time was sexually

explicit. Hitchcock started a policy whereby viewers would not be

permitted into the theatre once the film had begun, a measure, which

had never before taken. Hitchcock wanted to manipulate his audience

into fear and loathing so he reverted the film to black and white

instead of colour.

The story concerns a psychopathic murderer; its technique reveals the

dark side of all mankind; the inner secrets, deceits and guilt's of

all human beings. And as this is so true of even the most ordinary

situations in life, nothing is as it really seems and that is how the

play opens. Showing the ordinary life of her going to work and getting

jobs to do.

Marion had been given $40,000in cash to deposit in a local bank. When

Marion decides to run away with the money the viewers feel quite tense

and want to know what will happen next. The 'psycho' is not yet

introduced so the viewers focus is on the money. We see Marion with

the money, packing a suitcase. It is obvious that she plans to flee

with the money but the sympathy of the audience remains with this

apparently harassed woman. Throughout the scenes, we have seen

reflections of her in mirrors and through windows, all suggest the

split person...

... middle of paper ...

... kind of

connect the viewers association with the gothic house to Norman making

him just as intimidating as the building. One of the most effective

shots in the film was the extreme close up of Bates eye when he was

looking through the peep hole at Marion getting changed. The only

thing in the shot was his eyes and the wall. A beam of light shone

through the hole onto Bates eye and this was very effective. This was

effective because the scene stood out as his eye appeared through the

hole.

Psycho was a terrifying film in it's day, and still makes the viewers

tense with anticipation of what's to come. Many different and subtle

innovative techniques were adopted to manipulate its audience and

these techniques are very effective. I think this film was very good

even though it's quite old and it's in black and white.