Customer Ratings & Reviews

Directed by Sacha Gervasi, Hitchcock is based on Stephen Rebello‘s non-fiction book, Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. This tongue-in-cheek film adaptation, written by John J. McLaughlin, centers on the relationship between director Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren) during the making of Psycho. Gervasi’s film opens as if it were an episode of the Hitchcock’s short-lived television series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. On a Wisconsin farm, Hitchcock witnesses the death of a man at the hands of Ed Gein (Michael Wincott). After delivering his signature, “Good Evening,” Hitchcock introduces us to Gein, a real-life body snatcher and serial killer whose grisly work influenced the cinematic slashers like Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs, and, of course, Norman Bates from Psycho. After this humorous, rather charming opening, the story of Psycho begins at the premiere of Hitchcock’s 1959 film, North By Northwest. While the director is no doubt enjoying the critical and financial success of his latest picture, he is struggling to find his next project – that is, until he stumbles across Robert Bloch’s latest novel, Psycho. Hitchcock immediately decides that this grisly tale of murder and madness will be his next project, but he meets resistance from all corners, including his wife and frequent (uncredited) collaborator Alma Reville. With the help of his agent Lew Wasserman (Michael Stuhlbarg), Hitchcock decides to fund the movie himself if Paramount will distribute the picture. Soon, we are introduced to cinematic recreations of screenwriter Joe Stefano (Ralph Macchio), Anthony Perkins (a spot-on James D’Arcy), Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson), and Vera Miles (Jessica Biel). The rest, of course, is film history. Unfortunately, Gervasi and screenwriter John J. McLaughlin take several liberties with historical fact and present a simplified, melodramatic summary of the events that differs wildly from what actually took place. Perhaps more than any other film director in the history of the medium, Hitchcock’s career has inspired hundreds of documentaries and biographies on the famed filmmaker – so I’m left completely baffled how Gervasi’s film could inaccurately portray (or simply choose to ignore) the truth behind the making of Psycho. For instance, while Paramount distributed Psycho – the film was shot on set at Universal Studios. The film, however, has Paramount’s President Barney Balaban visiting the Paramount lot demanding to see footage of Hitch’s film. The film pursues this idea that Alfred and Alma’s marriage was a strained one, and that it took collaborating on Psycho to essentially renew their vows. Gervasi and McLaughlin seemingly fabricate a flimsy, rather boring romance between Alma and fellow screenwriter Whitfield Cook (Danny Huston). Here, Cook is seen as a talentless sleazeball, begging Alma to give Hitch his latest screenplay to read. Not once does the movie mention that Cook wrote Hitchcock’s classic film, Strangers on a Train. As for the performances, Hopkins is more of a superficial caricature of Hitchcock – there are fleeting moments when the talented actor channels the director, but for the most part his performance is buried under pounds of prosthetics and hours of time in the makeup chair. Mirren delivers a striking, commanding portrayal, but is actually miscast as the diminutive, mousey Alma. D’Arcy and Johansson are fantastic in their roles, but unfortunately their screen time is limited as Hitchcock has imaginary psychiatrist sessions with Ed Gein and drills peepholes into the walls of his actresses’ dressing rooms. Toni Collette (as Hitch’s assistant Peggy Robertson) and Biel round out a solid ensemble stuck in a so-so movie. Hitchcock is a charming, humorous farce that decides early on it would rather entertain the audience than inform it. In all honesty, I think the more interesting behind-the-scenes Hollywood story would be how exactly Sacha Gervasi got to the director’s chair on this picture. It’s rather peculiar that a filmmaker who only made his debut four years ago with the 2008 documentary Anvil: The Story of Anvil is put in charge of telling one of film history’s most important stories. Instead of watching Hitchcock, I would highly recommend purchasing Psycho: 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-Ray, which includes a fantastic feature-length documentary on the making of the film with insight from Leigh, Robertson, Stefano, and everyone involved in the film’s production. Sure, you won’t see the buxom Scarlett Johansson in the shower, but hey, that’s what the Internet is for!

Anthony Hopkins shines as the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock as he puts together production on one of the greatest horror films ever made, Psycho. There are some liberties taken, but overall this is a great bio-pic about a film rather than a person. All of the casting is spot on, with a blink-and-you'll-miss-him cameo by Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio as screenwriter Joseph Stefano. The scant 98-minute running time will leave you wanting more, but that's not always a bad thing.

I can't honestly say I'm a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan but I do like some of his movies (admittedly I can't say I've seen a few of his classic) but Psycho is of course that I have seen. The story revolves around what Hitch had to go through to get what was his biggest movie, all the fun dealing with agents and actors and studios. Hitchcock took a great risk basically financing the film and premier himself but was rewarded with a massive hit and one of the most memorable scenes in movie history!

The movie is based on the time in Hitchcock's life during the production of "Psycho". The thing to remember is it is Hollywood, so, take most of the movie as entertainment and a tad as fact. The actors playing the main characters did a very good job especially Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as Alma. I found it interesting to watch and thought the ending paid homage to the t.v. series with his solo sign off. Accept it as fictional biography and enjoy the characters.

This amazing movie about the making of Psycho is revealing--about Hitchcock, his quirks and kinks, and the nature of Hollywood. You will learn a lot. For instance, poor Hitch had to finance this film himself, but the studio's loss was his gain, as PSYCHO was a hit and all the profit when to him. Not so happy was the rocky relationship Hitch had with his wife Alma, and the women he made films with.

I had a $10 Best Buy cert to use and could not find anything on Blu-ray I did not already have. I was curious about this Hitchcock movie, but never found time or ambition to watch it. I thought what the heck! It has Scarlett J in it so I'll give it a shot. Brilliant stuff! I was riveted by the story and gained a whole new appreciation for Hitchcock. Days later I was watching Psycho!

Anthony Hopkins steps into the shoes of Alfred Hitchcock as the legendary director sets about making Psycho as his next film. Loosely adapted from a little-known book about the making of Psycho, the film sometimes takes liberties with the subject matter, but it's enjoyable and so are performances by Hitchcock and Helen Mirren who plays his wife. Worth seeing them.

Anthony Hopkins pulls off Alfred Hitchcock's mannerisms and quirks. Dialog delivery is amazing, gestures and his will known breathing pattern imitated by a master of film. Supporting roles were also performed with great perfection. A close up look into the mind of a genius, that to this day scares the heck out of people.

I've always loved Hitchcock films, so to see a movie about the struggle he went through to make what is arguably his most well known film was thoroughly enjoyable. Anthony Hopkins gives an incredible performance, but Helen Mirren as his wife is what really pulls the story together. This is one of those movies that I go back and rewatch every year or so and remember why I enjoyed it so much in the first place; it really never got the credit it deserved.

This movie shows the process and struggles of Alfred Hitchcock during the making of "Psycho". Anthony Hopkins becomes Hitchcock in this story. Scarlett Johansson plays Janet Leigh as a blonde bombshell very convincingly as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

The movie itself and the Blu-ray disc were perfect. Unfortunately, the digital copy was standard definition. What digital copy in this day and age is not HD? Who knows? Still a good movie anyway, besides the digital copy's shortcoming.

A nice characterization of Hitchcock at work behind the scenes on the classic film 'Psycho'. Great characterization by Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as his wife. A Very Good movie

The plot held my interest, while it gave you an incite to his personal life. It also showed how his wife helped him with the movies and how she accepted his flirtatious ways with any of his leading ladies.

I was skeptical about purchasing the movie but am pleased I bought it. It was a very interesting movie. It was cool to see how the movie Psycho was made and how he relied in his wife for editing the film. They were a very talented duo. Anyone who enjoys movie making will want to see this one.

If you are looking to learn more about Hitchcock and his film-making process, you won't get much here. This is more of a love story between Alfred and his wife. Acting is very good throughout.

Amazing first feature for the director. What can one say about Anthony Hopkins ? He proves once again why he is the best actor working today. Helen Mirren matches him point for points Everyone else is excellent especially Scarlett Johansson. Hitchcock's trademark humor permeates the whole film.

The actors/actresses that portrayed the characters were spot on. Helen Mirren is always fabulous in every movie she does and Anthony Hopkins was amazing as Hitchcock.

I picked this up for a friend of mine who loved this movie. With this cast, telling the story behind one of the greatest movies ever made, how can it not be good?

Hopkins is a scream playing Alfred Hitchcock in this very funny and entertaining back-story of the making of Psycho. Saw this on cable and decided I had to own it.

Hitchcock was a movie I wasn't sure what to expect, I got it for my dad and we watched it together. Pretty good, Anthony Hopkins did a great job