X
  • 2017
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Midnight
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 2017
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Midnight
  • 1 h 31 m

Summary The screeching strings, the plunging knife, the slow zoom out from a lifeless eyeball: in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho changed film history forever with its taboo-shattering shower scene. With 78 camera set-ups and 52 edits over the course of 3 minutes, Psycho redefined screen violence, set the stage for decades of slasher films to co...

Directed By: Alexandre O. Philippe

Written By: Alexandre O. Philippe

  • 2017
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Midnight
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 2017
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Midnight
  • 1 h 31 m

78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
74
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.9
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary The screeching strings, the plunging knife, the slow zoom out from a lifeless eyeball: in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho changed film history forever with its taboo-shattering shower scene. With 78 camera set-ups and 52 edits over the course of 3 minutes, Psycho redefined screen violence, set the stage for decades of slasher films to co...

Directed By: Alexandre O. Philippe

Written By: Alexandre O. Philippe

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
74
90% Positive
18 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
74
90% Positive
18 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
91
Oct 13, 2017
In 1960 this was a shocking, sexually charged symphony of taboo-smashing terror. And thanks to the artistry of Alfred Hitchcock, it remains one today.
By Chris Nashawaty FULL REVIEW
80
Nov 9, 2017
People had to see "Psycho." To this day, it stands as an Everest of big-screen suspense, having not just changed the way we watch movies, but also the way we make them.
By Mike Scott FULL REVIEW
80
Oct 13, 2017
It’s a film class, yes, but the most invigorating one you’ll take.
By Joshua Rothkopf FULL REVIEW
75
Nov 9, 2017
Philippe’s strongest work in 78/52 is the historical context, ranging from the images and roles of mothers in 1950s popular culture to a key handful of movies photographed in black and white (as was “Psycho,” partly to get the blood past the censors) released the previous year, 1959.
By Michael Phillips FULL REVIEW
75
Oct 12, 2017
As many note throughout the doc, the best moments that film as a medium has to offer are found in the smallest details. And when you find something truly great, as with this scene, you can just keep looking and looking until you spiral into the same void on which the grisly sequence ends.
By Dominick Suzanne-Mayer FULL REVIEW
67
Oct 18, 2017
Too often, we’re left with an arguably less-than-great artist (Eli Roth? Mick Garris?) in talking head form, blandly praising Hitchcock’s work. 78/52 is at its best when the shower is running and we’re engaged with the making of this notorious murder scene.
By Tony Hinds FULL REVIEW
58
Oct 12, 2017
78/52 is at its best in cinema studies mode, examining specific compositional and editing choices made by Hitchcock and his collaborators.
By Mike D'Angelo FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.9
93% Positive
13 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.9
93% Positive
13 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Exhibit A Pictures, ARTE, Milkhaus, Screen Division, Sensorshot Productions
Release Date Oct 13, 2017
Duration 1 h 31 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Tagline 78 shots and 52 cuts that changed cinema forever.
View All Details

Awards

Calgary Underground Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Fantasia Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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