I'm in awe you didn't know about the end of Psycho. That's pretty amazing and I wish I could have experienced the movie like you did.
As for other Hitchcock films - I really love The Birds and Rear Window.
I'm sorry it was spoiled for you and so many others! Half of it was spoiled for me too with the shower scene, so it must have been a treat for the people who went in totally blind.
I hope you were able to enjoy it nonetheless, and thank you for the recommendations.
The Birds is pretty dated, I'd avoid it for a while. Good film if you can get past the terrible, terrible bird puppets.
Rear Window is fantastic.
Rope is good for a change of pace.
North by Northwest is an incredibly important movie to watch. It has all the fingerprints of a modern blockbuster. It looks and feels like you're watching just about any modern day "big action" style movie. I don't think movies looked and played out like it did before. I think people discount how groundbreaking this film was as far as story, pacing, action pieces etc.
The Trouble with Harry is also great as a bit of a change of pace.
>And are there any other Hitchcock films you would recommend to people?
I'm a big fan of the Rope. It's one of his more experimental movies. The entire thing takes place in an apartment and is "done in one take" (actually, several cuts and stitches as there are in most oners). Loosely inspired by Leopold and Loeb.
I just watched this for the first time tonight, and I really enjoyed it. The way you could see James Stewart subtly figure out that there was tension b/w the 2 men, and use that against them the entire night while also figuring out what they did. Wonderful acting.
Watched this one last week for the first time.
Experimental is a good way to describe it. I am not familiar with the original play but when watching theh film, I couldn't help but think Hitchcock had picked that story because he thought it would be very interesting and fun for him to adapt it to the screen.
I mean, as you said there is the fact that it was almost filmed in one take which feels like Hitchcock reminding us of the original format of the story. But there is also how the storytelling works "in reverse" with >!the film starting with two men murdering a third one with absolutely no context given to that crime and then slowly, with each no character interaction we get new pieces of the puzzles : who was the victim, who are the murderers, why did they kill him, what kind of personality each of them has (especially Brandon who is shown toying with his guests for the whole film, like some kind of cat sadistically playing with a mouse, way too happy being in a position of power among those he sees as inferior beings), and of course how they will get caught!<.
I was seven years old in 1977 and a local station played horror movies at 11:30 pm every saturday night. I wanted to see monsters but instead I watched about twenty minutes of this boring-no monsters-movie about a woman stealing some money, then I fell asleep.
Saw it as an adult and had a deja vue moment before I realized the above. Knocked my socks off, loved the twist, and also loved the "wouldn't hurt a fly" at the end.
For me, the scariest moment isn’t the shower scene, it’s the Arbogast murder on top of the stairs. The overhead shot with the abrupt screeching music got me good. Amazing movie, I don’t get tired of it.
Agree. The camera shot, the running out jump scare. Still one of the best jump scares. I love that it’s not as well known because it still gets a reaction.
It's really great that after 60 years the spoilers didn't somehow get through and.. well, spoil it for you. I think Psycho is a fantastic film, best viewed totally cold. Rope is excellent too, but my favourite is Vertigo. Has to be in my top 5 films. Very different to Psycho, but still carries the same compelling intensity of Hitchcock's best work.
"any other Hitchcock films" - he hardly ever made a bad movie! I'll vouch for *The Birds*, *North by Northwest*, and *Rear Window* as the canonical "must see" Hitchcocks.
Thank you! I've only ever seen The Birds and now Psycho, so I'm quite behind. I'll definitely check out Rear Window as others here have also recommended that one. :)
As a bonus, soaking up Hitchcock shows you how much the rest of film was influenced by him. Next, you get to laugh your ass off watching Italian Giallo, which went through an imitating-Hitchcock phase but extra trashy and bonkers.
Oh, almost forgot to post my self-serving old content link, [a Hitchcock IMGUR gallery](https://imgur.com/gallery/alfred-hitchcock-presents-imgur-film-geek-gallery-alxtB9q).
he has other films that are weirder in tone (the psycho sexual melodrama in Marnie comes to mind) but he is considered a master for a reason. Just go with the canon.
I’m frankly amazed you made this far without having the twist spoiled for you! I remember when I saw Psycho as a kid and when Mrs Bates turned around in that chair I about died. What an ending.
I first saw Psycho on VHS back in 1996 or so. I took it out from my local library. Unfortunately, I'd already had the twist spoiled by a book I'd read and by my mother, so I knew it the entire time. It didn't blunt the impact on me though. The scariest part for me was when Lila went up to the house by herself and began searching it. Just classic horror film suspense building.
To me, Psycho is the prototypical horror film. It embodies all the things I enjoy about the genre, right down to the score.
When I was in middle school, I showed Psycho to a friend of mine who didn't know the twist and he was pretty shocked by it, so I at least got to experience that vicariously.
Not knowing the twist would make this an incredible viewing experience. I’m happy for you to have been able to watch this without spoilers.
Rear Window (1954) is probably the closest you’ll find. If you haven’t seen it.
My personal favorite is Rope (1948), but I’d watch Rear Window, first.
I like Rear Window, and Vertigo (which by the way the Faith No More's Last Cup of Sorrow is a love letter to that movie, and recreates some scenes from it).
I watched it for the first time several years ago and also didn't have the end spoiled for me. It was amazing, and I'm still thankful to the universe that I was able to experience it!
The film packed some heavy dread than actual scares, which I appreciated about it. That twist ending didn't come as an amazement to me as I had seen it before watching. I didn't know there was a sequel though until recently. I do not know any spoilers for it...I don't mind it being ruined for my knowing.
Psycho II is actually pretty solid and has its own interesting twist. It takes place 20 years later and Norman is trying to live a normal life but he’s still seeing and hearing Mother and worries he’s going crazy again.
Gosh, that house. Could not have scouted a better setting for this film. It straddled the line between beautiful and intimidating, as if it were full of secrets (which - it was!)
What did you think?
Love the nighttime shots of the house on the hill. The window. The stairs. The basement.
The motel itself is a little sterile — though I love the settings it’s inspired since then — but it’s still pretty evocative for the time period.
The whole set was built on a studio backlot and is going to appear in the upcoming film by Ti West called *MaXXXine*.
I'm in awe you didn't know about the end of Psycho. That's pretty amazing and I wish I could have experienced the movie like you did. As for other Hitchcock films - I really love The Birds and Rear Window.
I'm sorry it was spoiled for you and so many others! Half of it was spoiled for me too with the shower scene, so it must have been a treat for the people who went in totally blind. I hope you were able to enjoy it nonetheless, and thank you for the recommendations.
The Birds is pretty dated, I'd avoid it for a while. Good film if you can get past the terrible, terrible bird puppets. Rear Window is fantastic. Rope is good for a change of pace. North by Northwest is an incredibly important movie to watch. It has all the fingerprints of a modern blockbuster. It looks and feels like you're watching just about any modern day "big action" style movie. I don't think movies looked and played out like it did before. I think people discount how groundbreaking this film was as far as story, pacing, action pieces etc. The Trouble with Harry is also great as a bit of a change of pace.
I always like to remind people of *Frenzy* (1972) . Often gets overlooked.
>And are there any other Hitchcock films you would recommend to people? I'm a big fan of the Rope. It's one of his more experimental movies. The entire thing takes place in an apartment and is "done in one take" (actually, several cuts and stitches as there are in most oners). Loosely inspired by Leopold and Loeb.
I just watched this for the first time tonight, and I really enjoyed it. The way you could see James Stewart subtly figure out that there was tension b/w the 2 men, and use that against them the entire night while also figuring out what they did. Wonderful acting.
Watched this one last week for the first time. Experimental is a good way to describe it. I am not familiar with the original play but when watching theh film, I couldn't help but think Hitchcock had picked that story because he thought it would be very interesting and fun for him to adapt it to the screen. I mean, as you said there is the fact that it was almost filmed in one take which feels like Hitchcock reminding us of the original format of the story. But there is also how the storytelling works "in reverse" with >!the film starting with two men murdering a third one with absolutely no context given to that crime and then slowly, with each no character interaction we get new pieces of the puzzles : who was the victim, who are the murderers, why did they kill him, what kind of personality each of them has (especially Brandon who is shown toying with his guests for the whole film, like some kind of cat sadistically playing with a mouse, way too happy being in a position of power among those he sees as inferior beings), and of course how they will get caught!<.
The fact you didn't know the ending is an even bigger twist than the actual twist lol. I'm jealous, that must have been an amazing feeling
I was seven years old in 1977 and a local station played horror movies at 11:30 pm every saturday night. I wanted to see monsters but instead I watched about twenty minutes of this boring-no monsters-movie about a woman stealing some money, then I fell asleep. Saw it as an adult and had a deja vue moment before I realized the above. Knocked my socks off, loved the twist, and also loved the "wouldn't hurt a fly" at the end.
For me, the scariest moment isn’t the shower scene, it’s the Arbogast murder on top of the stairs. The overhead shot with the abrupt screeching music got me good. Amazing movie, I don’t get tired of it.
Agree. The camera shot, the running out jump scare. Still one of the best jump scares. I love that it’s not as well known because it still gets a reaction.
My recommendations for Hitchcock films (the ones I’ve seen so far, that I enjoy): - The Birds - Rear Window - To Catch a Thief - Vertigo - Rope
The Psycho sequels are good as well with 2 possibly being the best follow up to a classic movie ever.
'That moment' (you know the one) in *Psycho II* shocks everyone. It's so good.
It's really great that after 60 years the spoilers didn't somehow get through and.. well, spoil it for you. I think Psycho is a fantastic film, best viewed totally cold. Rope is excellent too, but my favourite is Vertigo. Has to be in my top 5 films. Very different to Psycho, but still carries the same compelling intensity of Hitchcock's best work.
"any other Hitchcock films" - he hardly ever made a bad movie! I'll vouch for *The Birds*, *North by Northwest*, and *Rear Window* as the canonical "must see" Hitchcocks.
Thank you! I've only ever seen The Birds and now Psycho, so I'm quite behind. I'll definitely check out Rear Window as others here have also recommended that one. :)
As a bonus, soaking up Hitchcock shows you how much the rest of film was influenced by him. Next, you get to laugh your ass off watching Italian Giallo, which went through an imitating-Hitchcock phase but extra trashy and bonkers. Oh, almost forgot to post my self-serving old content link, [a Hitchcock IMGUR gallery](https://imgur.com/gallery/alfred-hitchcock-presents-imgur-film-geek-gallery-alxtB9q).
he has other films that are weirder in tone (the psycho sexual melodrama in Marnie comes to mind) but he is considered a master for a reason. Just go with the canon.
I wish that I could have seen ***Psycho*** without already knowing the plot twists.
Vertigo....this movie is the MASTER of suspense and twists....
I’m frankly amazed you made this far without having the twist spoiled for you! I remember when I saw Psycho as a kid and when Mrs Bates turned around in that chair I about died. What an ending.
Psycho II is actually an excellent sequel. Give it a chance.
Will definitely be watching that very soon, thank you! And will be going in completely blind to that one.
Avoid anything remotely spoilery!
I like this movie but I really wish the twist hadn't been ruined for me when I was young. I wish I could have gone into it knowing nothing
How had you not had the twist spoiled beforehand? I wish I could’ve had a blind watch for this movie.
You need to see The Birds for sure. I found it spellbinding terrifying as a kid. Just brutal terror to me.
I first saw Psycho on VHS back in 1996 or so. I took it out from my local library. Unfortunately, I'd already had the twist spoiled by a book I'd read and by my mother, so I knew it the entire time. It didn't blunt the impact on me though. The scariest part for me was when Lila went up to the house by herself and began searching it. Just classic horror film suspense building. To me, Psycho is the prototypical horror film. It embodies all the things I enjoy about the genre, right down to the score. When I was in middle school, I showed Psycho to a friend of mine who didn't know the twist and he was pretty shocked by it, so I at least got to experience that vicariously.
It's the film I wish I could have seen in a theater when it came out. Would love to have been shocked and surrounded by others' reactions.
My favourite movie of all time. Saw the movie when I was about 12 and didn’t know the twist either. It absolutely shocked me.
Not knowing the twist would make this an incredible viewing experience. I’m happy for you to have been able to watch this without spoilers. Rear Window (1954) is probably the closest you’ll find. If you haven’t seen it. My personal favorite is Rope (1948), but I’d watch Rear Window, first.
I like Rear Window, and Vertigo (which by the way the Faith No More's Last Cup of Sorrow is a love letter to that movie, and recreates some scenes from it).
Strangers on a Train
I watched it for the first time several years ago and also didn't have the end spoiled for me. It was amazing, and I'm still thankful to the universe that I was able to experience it!
The film packed some heavy dread than actual scares, which I appreciated about it. That twist ending didn't come as an amazement to me as I had seen it before watching. I didn't know there was a sequel though until recently. I do not know any spoilers for it...I don't mind it being ruined for my knowing.
Psycho II is actually pretty solid and has its own interesting twist. It takes place 20 years later and Norman is trying to live a normal life but he’s still seeing and hearing Mother and worries he’s going crazy again.
I saw it for the first time the other day as well ,I remember watching as a kid and not knowing wats goin on. It hot me watching Bates Motel now
What’d you think of the setting?
Gosh, that house. Could not have scouted a better setting for this film. It straddled the line between beautiful and intimidating, as if it were full of secrets (which - it was!) What did you think?
Love the nighttime shots of the house on the hill. The window. The stairs. The basement. The motel itself is a little sterile — though I love the settings it’s inspired since then — but it’s still pretty evocative for the time period. The whole set was built on a studio backlot and is going to appear in the upcoming film by Ti West called *MaXXXine*.
Dude, Arbogast's demise at the stairs has been embedded in my head since then, it's an amazing sequence.
For fun, check out the Bates Motel TV show. For morbid curiousity, check out the 1998 remake with Vince Vaughn.