The best horror movie of all time

Rating: Null/10 (4 August 2001)

Nowadays we have been exposed to scarier horror and macabre to find Hitchcock's classic frightening. However, there are certain elements which make this film the best horror movie of all time.
Considering the era (1960) Hitchcock used innovative camera angles to build up the tension and fear in Psycho. For example at the beginning the camera pans down on the motel giving the impression that the house is watching the motel. This personification (that the house is alive) is used again when Marion's sister (Lila) approaches the house near the end. The camera changes from objective to subjective numerous times to give the impression that the house is watching Lila. More camera actions which are innovative is when Bates and Crane are talking over supper. The low camera angle gives the impression that Norman Bates is bigger and therefore more menacing. This is an early indication of the horror which is to come. These are just examples of the clever use of camera.
The music and lightening is a major strength of the film. For example when there is the scene with the corpse the mummified mother is a mixture of dark and light. This represents the good and evil side of Norman. Moreover, there is light shining at the backs of the eye sockets which makes the corpse appear alive. Hitchcock innovated with the signature tune ("screeching violins") and that builds up the suspense. Such directors as Speilberg have copied this idea (e.g. Jaws)
Symbolism is a good part of this film. For example Bates has an unusual hobby of stuffing birds. By analyzing Anthony Perkins performance he perches on the edge of his chair as if he is a bird seeking his prey (i.e. Crane). He also acts like a bird when he twitches his head from time to time. Another clever use of symbolism is when Lila picks up the book in the Psycho house. She is unsure which side is what as they are equally patterned. This represents Norman's character; you can't determine his side as he has two personalities. More symbolism is Marion's change in underwear when she packs her case; white represents purity and black represents evil/wrong doing. Symbolism like this is also used when the camera shows the stuffed bird towering over Bates when he becomes uneasy with Marion's conversation. This represents his mother watching over him and changing his personality. By watching the film other examples of symbolism can be depicted throughout.
What made Psycho so remarkable at the time was realism. The setting was a realistic place and familiar to American and worldwide audiences (i.e the motel, the city - Phoenix, Arizona) rather than fictional places like Transylvania. Also, Norman had a medical condition (he was a psychopath). This was a breakaway from the previous unrealistic films, such as Dracula. This made the film even more frightening and people were scared that such events could occur with "real" people. Also what was realistic about this film was that the characters were neither "goodies" or "baddies" - they had transformations. Marion was a mixture of good and bad (the color of her underwear she chooses represents this and the color of the car she buys.) This makes the film more realistic as it shows that people all have good and bad in them, which is true.
Moreover what stood out in the film was what happened to Janet Leigh. She was killed of very early into the film and this shocked audiences that the A-list Hollywood actress was so brutally murdered. This is nearly on a par with what Drew Barrymore chose to do for Scream when she chose to be Casey. This fact shows Hitchcock has influenced the thinking for other horror movies.
Therefore, although you will be better of with Scream or Scary Movie to scare you this film is an example of cinematography at its best.