PSYCHO - Analysis

Psycho (1960)

• The story is based on the 1959 novel by Robert Bloch.
• STARRING - Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Janet Leigh.
• PRODUCED BY - Alfred Hitchcock
• STUDIO - Shamley Productions
• DISTRIBUTED BY - Paramount Pictures
• RELEASE - 16 June 1960 (US), 4 August 1960 (UK)
• BUDGET - $806,947
• BOX OFFICE - $50,000,000

One of the main elements of this opening sequence is the sound that is used. The non-diegetic, asynchronous sound begins straight away and is very dramatic. This may create tension in the audience and make them wonder what the film has to offer and what will come next. The sound also suits the genre of the film as a psychological thriller because it is very startling. 

Most of the opening sequence is taken up by the titles of the film. However, they still have an effect because there is a continuous pattern of lines throughout. This may present a 'harsh' effect because of this pattern. As well as this, the opening is in black and white, and although all films would be in black and white at this time, there is no soft grey tones, only black and white. As well as this, the titles in the opening sequence single out the important people involved in production. For example, the main female role's name comes up in bigger writing than other characters.

When the title sequence ends, the music automatically softens and the establishing shot is a big city, shown in a long shot, which pans around so the audience is able to see. The town looks quite big, and the music is softer, which contrasts the soundtrack in the beginning. This could confuse the audience and make them curious as to what will happen in the film and why the music was so dramatic before.

Editing is fast-paced and creates this along with the cinematography of the camera getting closer to a window at the end of the opening sequence creates an effect of the audience being intrusive about what is going on inside of the room.