|
Directed by |
|
Starring |
|
Specs |
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
|
Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital Mono
|
Subtitles |
|
Extras |
- Theatrical trailer
- Cast/crew biographies
- Production notes
|
|
|
Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock's) |
Universal/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment .
R4 . COLOR . 104 mins .
M . PAL |
Feature |
|
Contract |
|
What need be said about Psycho? It's only one of THE classic horror films! One of the Holy Trinity you need to absorb in order to fully appreciate The Simpsons (the other two being The Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey). It inspired John Carpenter to make the fabulous Halloween in tribute. It's so good that even the recent rather pointless and unsatisfactory remake hasn't destroyed its power. It's hard to imagine, but some people still don't know the storyline, so I'll skip most of the plot. Marion Crane, a woman involved with a man up to his neck in alimony, impulsively steals $40,000 in cash that she's been entrusted to take to the bank, hoping to clear his debts and marry him. After being interrogated by a policeman on the long drive to meet her lover, she is racked with guilt and paranoia and decides to return the money. However, she's travelled too far to turn back, and stops at a motel for the night, where she meets Norman Bates, the charming and shy proprietor of the Bates Motel. Then she meets mother...
Video |
|
Contract |
|
The film is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic format on a single-layer disc. While the picture isn't as astonishing as the recently-restored Vertigo, it is pleasing to watch. There are some minor film artefacts, but nothing you
wouldn't expect from a film almost 30 years old, and the image is sharp with good contrast and greyscale. Grain is generally unobtrusive and I noticed no digital artifacting. Obviously colour isn't a factor here... :)
Audio |
|
Contract |
|
Ah, glorious mono, the sign of a classic horror film! The sole audio track is Dolby Digital 1.0, and the soundtrack is as you'd expect for a well-cared-for film of its vintage. There is no noticeable hiss or hum, which leaves you able to enjoy the famous, brilliant Bernard Herrmann score. Herrmann scored the film for strings only, which is very apparent when the shower music kicks in! Dialogue is clear and intelligible, and the sound is never strident or thin, as often occurs with transfers of older films.
Extras |
|
Contract |
|
Overall |
|
Contract |
|
A technically fine disc, and one I would happily recommend if it weren't for the fact that the US edition has far more extras - extras which really add to your knowledge of the making of the film, rather than the Matrix-style
exposition of special effects (which are cool, but don't actually explain how the film was conceived). Therefore, if you just want to watch the film, get the R4, but if you love the art of the cinema, you'll want the US collector's edition.
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=125
Send to a friend.
|
|
|
And I quote... |
"What need be said about Psycho? It's only one of THE classic horror films!" - Paul Dossett |
|
Review Equipment |
- DVD Rom:
Pioneer 103(s)
- MPEG Card:
RealMagic Hollywood Plus
- TV:
Mitsubishi Diva 33
- Amplifier:
Yamaha DSP-A1
- Speakers:
Richter Excalibur
- Centre Speaker:
Richter Unicorn
- Audio Cables:
Standard RCA
- Video Cables:
standard s-video
|
Recent Reviews: |
|
|
Related Links |
|
|