A Classic that Terrifies and Thrills: My Journey with Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho

Introduction to Psycho

Did you ever see and like the movie Psycho 1960? Yes, I have. I thought it was great. I have seen all the Psycho films, and they were all good, but the first one is undoubtedly the best. It is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time.

My First Encounter with Psycho

Yes, I first saw Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho back in the early 1980s, when I was about 3 years old. My dad, along with my two brothers, and I recorded it from a TV showing and watched it via a video recorder. What an experience! I was terrified beyond words when I saw Psycho. My heart seemed to skip a beat when the twist to the tale was revealed. Clutching my dad's arm, I looked away from the screen. After the film finished, my dad and my brothers had a discussion about it. I had nothing to say. It's typical of Hitchcock; the photography speaks volumes about the film, making dialogue unnecessary. The film maintains an atmosphere of underlying suspense but also has a surreal quality that feels out of place yet captivating.

The Impact of Psycho

The shower scene still lives up to its reputation to shock, frighten, and overwhelm the viewer. Hitchcock’s masterful direction is evident in every frame. After the psychiatrist's report on Norman Bates, we are treated to a weird superimposed shot of a skull's head overlapping Anthony Perkins' face. This iconic ending is an ideal way to finish the film, making it a true masterpiece.

My Friend's Experience

Many of my friends have shared similar experiences. I'm sure I saw it on TV when I was 8 in 1960. It's not the kind of film my parents would have taken us kids to. My friends and I were quite traumatized by it. It's the original slasher movie—literally—and was considered quite shocking in those days. The impact of the film is evident, with my friends not showering for months. In the same vein, Hitchcock’s other masterpiece, Jaws, had a similar effect, leading my friends to avoid the ocean for about the same amount of time after seeing it. We lived in Florida in the 1970s, so it's quite clear that these films had a profound impact on our childhoods.

Behind the Scenes of Psycho

I was 17 when Psycho was released in 1960, and I enjoyed the good scare it provided. It was the original slasher movie—literally—and was considered quite shocking in those days. If you want to know more about the making of this iconic film, read the entertaining book Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. This book provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the production of this classic. It's a must-read for any fan of Hitchcock or psychological thrillers.

Thank you for reading. I hope you share your thoughts and experiences with Psycho in the comments below.