The Making of 'Psycho' (1997 Video) User Reviews

A very good "Making Of"

[calvindyson · 8/10 · 20 March 2005]

This documentary, which is an extra on certain "Psycho" DVD's, is one of the best I've ever watched. It lasts just over an hour and a half, which is quite long, considering the film is fairly old and many of it's actors have passed on.

The documentary gives a real incite into the making of the picture. With comments from assistant Peggy Robertson, co-director Hilton A. Green and star Janet Leigh among others. The making of delves deep into how the picture was inspired, how the actors were cast and problems that arose during filming.

However the documentary does not contain comments from other stars Vera Miles and John Gavin which is a big disappointment. As I would love to hear Vera Miles' thoughts on Hitchock. Another shame is that Anthony Perkins died years prior to the making of the documentary so no comments are available from him which is another shame.

But overall a very well presented "Making Of".

Revealing what's behind the curtain

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 24 September 2009]

This is a feature-length documentary on the making of Psycho, found on the 45-year Anniversary Double-Disc edition... phew, what a mouthful. It consists of interviews, mainly with the cast and crew(Barker also adds to this), behind-the-scenes material, and clips from the movie(and a couple of others). This covers quite a lot of ground, going into everything you'd expect and a few things you wouldn't necessarily think of. In case anyone who hasn't yet watched the picture is reading this, I will not specify any scenes. Besides, you probably know which the iconic sequences and occurrences are, if you should. Leigh and Stephano are some of the most compelling to listen to, but really, everyone here has something to say that is worth hearing. Coming in at 90 minutes, this is well-paced and never boring. It goes through the entire creative process, all three stages, if the level of detail varies, partially due to the age(and the sad death of Mr. H, the master... it's a good thing they made this in time for the star and writer to partake in it). From the technical(and never overly complicated) explanations to the anecdotes, everything in this is interesting. It's well-edited and has a great pace. Also on this set is a marvelous fifteen-minute excerpt of the American Film Institute Salute to Alfred Hitchcock, a half-hour presentation entitled Masters of Cinema with the famed director responding to questions(the only downside is the somewhat below average sound quality), a comparison of the shower scene(with/without the music), Newsreel Footage, production photographs/drawings, and the theatrical trailer. I recommend this to any fan of the influential release. 7/10

Not bad

[preppy-3 · 6/10 · 12 September 2015]

Feature length documentary on the making of "Psycho". It's mostly all talking heads with clips from the movie. It goes through every single aspect of the movie. Even the costumes are discussed in detail! The only actor left alive from the movie was Janet Leigh and she's most entertaining going into detail about working with Hitchcock and the movie. The most interesting of all was Patricia Hitchcock (Hitch's only child) who knew how her father and mother worked. Her insights were fascinating. However, all in all, I found this slow-moving and pretty dry. Sure some of the pieces were interesting but not continuously. Still, if you're a fan of the movie you'll probably love this. I also think this is the only footage we have of Leigh talking at length about the movie. So it's OK for maybe a one time viewing.

For all students of cinema

[kennethwmccall · 15 February 2006]

I have seen Psycho several times, though not during its initial theatrical release; I'm slightly too young for that. It is of course by the master, Alfred Hitchcock, and although it is not my favourite of his, there is no doubt it ranks highly with me and his genius is clearly evident throughout the film. So when I spied the Alfred Hitchcock Collection DVD edition of Psycho on sale at a used book store, I quickly snatched it up. And am I glad I did. The original film is there in pristine condition and there are loads of extras. The best is a documentary called, "The Making of Psycho". I had seen and read several stories over the years about the movie but this documentary was the best. It had numerous people involved in the original film, like Janet Leigh, Joseph Stefano who wrote the screenplay, assistant director Hilton Green, costume designer Rita Riggs and others; all giving excellent commentary. They talk about the many vicissitudes in making the film from the very inception to the final release which could have, but thankfully did not, scuttle the entire project. I feel that I learned more, not only about this particular film, but about movie making in general than ever before. I would urge all serious students of cinema to watch "The Making of Psycho".

Geeky Randy's summary

[Geeky Randy · 7/10 · 27 October 2014]

Insightful look at the making of one of cinema's most remarkable films ever made by pioneer filmmaker Hitchcock. Interview include star Janet Leigh, Hitchcock's daughter Pat, his assistant Peggy Robertson, the film's screenwriter Joseph Stefano, assistant director Hilton A. Green, Rita Riggs who was in charge of the wardrobe, editor Paul Hirsch, and none other than the HELLRAISER mastermind Clive Barker. A lot of material ended up coming to life in the light-humored HITCHCOCK; however, there are some other stories worth hearing, such as the 'full moon error' (you'll know once you watch it). The Collector's Edition DVD is one place to view this.

*** (out of four)

Excellent Documentary

[sparkgary · 8/10 · 3 September 2017]

Excellent behind the scenes of the movie. Great comments by some of the actors, the screen writer and assistant director. Lots of insight. Great comment about first appearance of toilets in a movie. Great comments about the shower scene. A truly scary movie especially for 1959.Hitchcock was one of the best directors before computer animation took over.

This answers all the big questions about PSYCHO . . .

[pixrox1 · 8/10 · 6 August 2013]

. . . the main one being (from just about every guy I've ever discussed this movie with) just how naked IS Janet Leigh in the shower. SPOILER ALERT: I do not want to break the heart of any guy who'd like to dream, or who has eyesight based more on wishful thinking than what can be quantified in a optician's office, but I'm going to come right out and reveal the cold, hard truth--Janet Leigh is NOT nude in a single frame of the final cut. However, she still had a mind like a steel trap for such key details of her career even 37 years later in 1997 when interviewed for this wonderful "Making of," and she notes that the CREW did see her topless, when her "just in case" falsies fell off because the glue got too dry during director Hitchcock's endless days of shooting this scene; specifically, when she was supposed to be a dead corpse, and could not move to protect her modesty! Also, Hitchcock DID use a totally nude body double (a modestly anonymous woman, apparently) for the revealing shots of Leigh's larcenous "Marion Crane" character through the motel room's translucent shower curtain.