A different kind of fear

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2000)

Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece does not instill fear in you like the modern horror flicks (using shock tactics), but instead subtly introduces it to you throughout the film. This might be because of the industry rules at that time as well, since violence that is too overt wasn't tolerated then. But only Hitchcock can use the rules then to construct a masterpiece, that even now, can cause that lingering fear to creep up on you.
I enjoyed the Norman Bates portrayed by Perkins - he is the original and will always be the best Norman Bates there is. The use of 'scary' imagery - spooky house on top of a hill sihouletted by lightning behind, etc...some call it crude, but in Hitchcock's hands, it is dynamite.
Rent it if you've never watched the original (you haven't?!?!), you won't regret it.