9 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000. On the run she checks into the remote Bates Motel, run by a young man under the domination of his mother.
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin BalsamHorror | 100% |
Mystery | 96% |
Psychological thriller | 85% |
Thriller | 53% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
Italian: Dolby Digital 2.0
German: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Film-UK. The supplemental features on the disc contain an audio commentary with writer Stephen Rebello; making of featurette; conversation between Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut; collection storyboards; collection photos and stills; lobby cards; behind the scenes stills; theatrical trailers; and more. In English, with optional English, French, Spanish (Castellan), Portuguese, German, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Norwegian, and Swedish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Lovers
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer,
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Studios-UK. Please note
that the disc's main menu could be set in one of the following languages: English, French, Italian,
German, Spanish (Castellan), Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, Portuguese, Traditional
Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Swedish, and Japanese.
This is strong high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is good, clarity pleasing and contrast levels
consistent throughout the entire film. What impresses the most, however, is the color-scheme; the
deep blacks, variety of grays and gentle whites look superb. This being said, there are a couple of
minor issues that could have been addressed. For example, mild edge-enhancement occasionally
pops up, and viewers with larger than 50' screens will likely notice it. Additionally, there are traces
of minor noise corrections, which sensitive viewers will most likely notice as well. I also spotted a
few tiny flecks popping up here and there. Still, the fine film grain is very much intact and there are
absolutely no stability issues to report in this review. To sum it all up, Alfred Hitchcock's
Psycho looks remarkably strong on Blu-ray, easily the very best it ever has. (Note:
This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless
of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content
preceding the disc's main menu).
There are seven audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc (the commentary track not included): English DTS-
HD Master Audio 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0, German Dolby
Digital 2.0, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0, Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0. For the
record, Universal Studios-UK have provided optional English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German,
Italian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese,
Norwegian, and Swedish subtitles for the main feature.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track has a terrific dynamic amplitude. Bernard Herrmann's
music score has never sounded this good before; the intense strings and ambient sounds a very
effective. Additionally, the dialog is clean, crisp, stable and very easy to follow, and there are no
serious pops, cracks, or strong background hiss to report in this review.
I tested more than a few scenes with the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Indeed, there are
some interesting enhancements in the surround channels, but I prefer the more organic English DTS-
HD Master Audio 2.0 track.
Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are encoded in 480/60i.
Therefore, they are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs. Additionally, the
supplemental features arrive with optional Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish,
Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese,
Korean, and Swedish subtitles.
The making of Psycho - a long and very informative featurette focusing on the
production history of Alfred Hitchcock's film. The featurette contains numerous interviews with
Peggy Robertson, personal assistant to the director, filmmaker Clive Barker, screenwriter Joseph
Stefano, assistant director Hilton A. Green, actress Janet Leigh, and others who recall discuss how
the film came to exist, its importance (Barker), how certain scenes were shot, etc. In English. (95
min, 480/60i).
In The Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy - a wonderful featurette about the
influence Alfred Hitchcock's films had on Cinema and many important film directors, composers, etc.
In English. (26 min, 480/60i).
Hitchcock/Truffaut - a great, hilarious conversation between the two film
directors, discussing certain scenes, filming techniques, characters, etc. Assisted by a translator. In
French and English. (16 min, 480/60i).
The Shower Scene: With & Without Music - allows one to view the famous scene
with or without music. (2 min, 480/60i).
The Shower Sequence: Storyboards by Saul Bass - a collection of storyboards. (5
min, 480/60i).
Psycho Sound - a look at the audio restoration work, with comments by the
audio experts who performed the restoration work: Olivier Attia (Audionamix), Larry Walsh, Richard
LeGrand, and Fabrice Benoit. In English. (10 min, 480/60i).
The Psycho Archives - a collection of photos and stills. (8 min, 480/60i).
Lobby Cards - a collection of lobby cards. (2 min, 480/60i).
Behind the Scenes Photographs - (8 min, 480/60i).
Theatrical Trailer - the famous theatrical trailer for the film. In English. (7 min,
480/60i).
Re-Release Trailers - five trailers. In English. (2 min, 480/60i).
"Lamb To The Slaughter" - a short film, based on Roald Dahl's novel, about a
man and a woman who must part ways. In English. (27 min, 480/60i).
Commentary - an audio commentary with Stephen Rebello, author of "Alfred
Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho". This is the same, strong audio commentary that also appears
on the SE DVD release of Psycho.
One of the most influential films ever made, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho has finally arrived on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Studios-UK. Despite a few very minor issues with the high-definition transfer, Psycho has never ever looked this good before. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed is Region-Free and packed with terrific supplemental features that are perfectly playable on North American machines. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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