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Psycho By Alfred Hitchock- Media Coursework

Psycho

Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960 became famous for being the first psychological horror film. It was filmed in black and white nevertheless it was very new, shocking and still scares audience today.
In contrast to modern films which are very violent, there is only little blood or violence in Psycho. That makes the film atypical and original. It uses audience's imagination and forces them to think for themselves. All them features cause the film is still considered to be a classic nowadays.
I'm going to briefly describe how Hitchcock increases the tension in the last section of the film which is placed between Lillian and Sam's arrival at Bates' motel and capture of the PSYCHO.
At the moment of couple arrival the tension is already above normal. The audience know about previous murders and they're worried about Lillian and Sam's fate. They are desperate to find out what happened to Marian and Arbagast. Lily believes that their last chance is to talk to mysterious Bates' mother.
The tension rises as she's walking up the hill. Hitchcock uses all range of camera, sound and light tricks to create an impression of oncoming danger. The old, sinister gothic house in an example of using visual image. It's shape reminds of a face. It's bright windows look like eyes- they observe everything and stare ominously at walking girl.
In turn it's doors seems to be a mouth. This is threatening because it suggests that Lily is going to consumed by the house. As we can easily forecast the tension increases as the distance between Lily and the house is getting shorter. The house is lit from behind, but we can't see the sun- it's hidden behind the building. That feel like the house shine with it's own light unlike the girl who is lit from the front. She looks blinded, squint her eyes to see anything. She also look very weak and innocent, her face is very bright in contrast to the house. That gives the audience a simple impression: the sinister, dark house is a...