United States 1960Language:EnglishSubtitles:GermanDirector:Alfred HitchcockWriter:Joseph StefanoCinematographer:John L. RussellEditor:George TomasiniMusic:Bernard HerrmannSound:Waldon O. Watson, William RussellWith:Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon OaklandProducer:Alfred HitchcockDistributor:IGM Artists109 min, Black and white

Marion Crane takes a wrong turn into the deserted motel of sensitive mummy’s boy Norman Bates…and screams herself into film history.

Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous film is a turning point in film history. Released in US cinemas on 16th June 1960, PSYCHO fundamentally changed the audience’s expectations regarding sex, violence and horror. In the 23rd year of their collaboration, the Braunschweig International Film Festival and the Braunschweig State Orchestra invite you to the re-screening of PSYCHO – and remind you how it feels to be afraid.

The American composer Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975) had already caused a sensation with his film-music debut, Orson Welles’ CITIZEN KANE (1941). From 1955 to 1966, Herrmann composed eight film scores for Hitchcock. He became immortalised by the dissonant, high-pitched, screeching violins accompanying the murder in the shower. In his musical score, Hermann noted at this point: “fortissimo brutale”. For the American Film Institute, the brutally propulsive string music in PSYCHO is one of the “Top 5 Greatest Film Scores of All Time”.

The opening film concert is presented in cooperation with the Braunschweig State Orchestra and the Braunschweig State Theatre, supported by the co-main sponsor of the opening film concert, BS|Energy, and sponsored by the Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz.

Production Credits:

Producer: John Goberman Technical
Supervisor: Pat McGillen
Music Preparation: Larry Spivack
Conductor: Ernst van Tiel

The producer wishes to acknowledge the contributions and extraordinary support of John Waxman (Themes & Variations).

A Symphonic Night at the Movies is a production of PGM Productions, Inc. (New York) and appears by arrangement with IMG Artists

Director's Filmography:
Film image: © A Universal Picture