Psycho Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Psycho Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released a new Blu-ray for Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film 'Psycho.' The disc includes remastered 1080p video and a DTS:X soundtrack. No new extras are included but the disc does carry over all of the bonuses from the 2010 release. Note that the film has also been released on the UHD format, though that disc is, at time of writing, exclusive to a four-film Hitchcock UHD boxed set and to Best Buy exclusive SteelBook packaging. Also note that this release includes two cuts of the film: 'Psycho' (1:48:51) as most widely seen and edited, and 'Psycho' Uncut (1:49:04), the 1960 theatrical release as Hitchcock intended the film to be seen.

Psycho Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Psycho's AVC 1080p remaster delivers a number of improvements over the previously released VC-1 encoded transfer. The picture no longer shows signs of artificial digital sharpening. This new release may be less "razor sharp" but it's noticeably more organic and refined. Textural elements are sharp from the source rather than from digital processing, and the picture bears the fruits of a naturally occurring and far healthier looking presentation. Grain management is improved, appearing less clumpy, finer, more natural and flattering. The image has undergone a fairly thorough clean-up, removing most examples of debris and speckling seen on the previous issue, though the errant flaw remains in extremely scant quantities. The image boasts improved white balance -- whites are more brilliant with more luminance and purity -- while also finding improved contrast and nuance in the grayscale. Black levels are superb, which are vital in defining dark attire, nighttime exteriors, and the shadowy corners seen throughout the film, all of which Hitchcock and Cinematographer John L. Russell use to wonderfully critical effect. The image shows no signs of unwarranted digital processing and no major encode flaws, though traces of aliasing are evident here and there while a fairly large splotch runs down the left hand side at the 1:27:11 mark. In sum, this is a high end presentation that easily bests the studio's passable, but flawed, 2010 Blu-ray. Of course, the UHD is superior, but Blu-ray-only audiences will find little of fault here.

Note that for the purpose of this review, the film was screened in its entirety via the Uncut version.

Psycho Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Don't expect the DTS:X configuration to suddenly and drastically transform the Psycho listening experience. It's predominantly front-heavy but very rich for clarity. Bernard Herrmann's score has never sounded so wonderful, every intensely piecing note driving through speakers like a knife stabbing into the theater. Front side stretch is wide and reach is seamless. Surround wrap is subtle but effective. The track opens up at a couple of points, both dealing with water. The surrounds and overheads pick up some saturating rain in chapter seven when Marion arrives at the Bates Motel. Later, during the infamous shower scene, the sound of running water from the shower head offers one of the film's most fully immersive examples of surround engagement. A few scattered additional effects and ambience filter through beyond the front but those are the most obvious examples of surround intensity the film has to offer. Dialogue is the primary mover here and it presents with perfectly good clarity, front-center placement, and prioritization.

Psycho Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Psycho's remastered Blu-ray brings with it all of the supplemental content from the 2010 Blu-ray (coverage has been included for a few extras that were not covered in the 2010 release). For coverage of the carryover content, please click here. This release ships with a Movies Anywhere digital copy voucher and an embossed slipcover.

• The Making of Psycho
• Psycho Sound
• In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
• Hitchcock/Truffaut
• Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho
• The Shower Scene: With and Without Music
• The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass
• The Psycho Archives
• Posters and Psycho Ads
• Lobby Cards
• Behind-the-Scenes Photographs (1080p upscaled, 8:00): A series of stills from the set, presented in 4x3 within na smaller box inside a static promotional image.
• Production Photographs (1080p upscaled, 8:30): In the same format as above, here showing the cast posing for publicity.
• Psycho Theatrical Trailers (1080p upscaled, 6:31 total runtime): Hitchcock tours the set and pitches the movie.
• Psycho Re-Release Trailer (1080p upscaled, 1:52 total runtime): Hitchcock advertises the movie's uncut version, followed by a few lightning quit advertisements, most of which are not very different one from another.
• Audio Commentary: Stephen Rebello.

Psycho Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Psycho stands as one of cinema's most widely recognized films, perhaps the most popular from the Hitchcock canon, and a film that left an indelible mark on pop culture and Slasher cinema. Universal's new Blu-ray delivers excellent 1080p video and a superb DTS:X soundtrack. No new extras are included but the existing content is thorough and carries over. Very highly recommended.