Psycho II [Collector's Edition] [Blu-ray]

Director: Richard Franklin Richard Franklin

Overview

A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time, this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised, positive critical reception. Anthony Perkins returns as Norman Bates, who has just been released from an insane asylum after 22 years, having been judged clinically sane by the State of California over the objections of Lila Crane Loomis (Vera Miles), sister to one of Norman's murder victims. Norman returns home to the hotel and hilltop mansion he once inhabited with his mother. As a parole condition, Norman is hired at a local diner, where he struggles to join mainstream society, despite the stares of patrons aware of his past. At the diner, Norman befriends Mary (Meg Tilly), a waitress, and it seems that he may be putting some semblance of a life back together. But then Norman begins to experience hallucinatory encounters with his long-dead mother, including a handwritten note, a phone call, and a sighting of her standing at her favorite window. Is Norman's psychosis manifesting itself again, or are old enemies attempting to drive him back into an institution? As the pressure mounts, bodies pile up, and Norman's fragile hold on normality becomes more and more tenuous.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/24/2013
UPC:	0826663142891
Original Release:	1983
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	1:53:00
Sales rank:	18,180

Special Features

Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Tom Holland; Vintage video and audio interviews with Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles and Director Richard Franklin; Theatrical trailer; TV spot

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Anthony Perkins	Norman Bates,Young Norman
Vera Miles	Lila Loomis
Meg Tilly	Mary Loomis
Robert Loggia	Dr. Bill Raymond
Dennis Franz	Toomey
Hugh Gillin	Sheriff Hunt
Claudia Bryar	Mrs. Spool
Robert Alan Browne	Statler
Ben Hartigan	Judge
Lee Garlington	Myrna
Tim Maier	Josh
Jill Carroll	Kim
Chris Hendrie	Deputy Pool
Tom Holland	Deputy Norris
Michael Lomazow	District Attorney
Robert Destri	Public Defender
Ben Frommer	Sexton
Gene Whittington	Diver
Jackie McNamara	Actor
Robert Traynor	Desk Clerk
George Dickerson	County Sheriff
Bruce Greenwood	Actor
Thaddeus Smith	Deputy Sheriff
Victoria Brown	Deputy Clerk
Jerry Goldsmith	Composer
Bob Hilgenberg	Public Defender
Sheila K. Adams	Deputy Woman
Virginia Gregg	Norma Bates

Technical Credits

Tom Holland

Richard Franklin	Director
Tom Holland	Screenwriter
Bernard Schwartz	Executive Producer
Melbourne Arnold	Special Effects
Syd Dutton	Special Effects
Hilton A. Green	Producer
Albert Whitlock	Special Effects
George Cheung	Stunts
Lon Bender	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

It's debatable whether or not a sequel to Psycho was really necessary, but Psycho II manages to beat the odds with surprising style. Not only is this a solid horror film, it's one of the best horror sequels ever made. The key to Psycho II's effectiveness is its old-fashioned approach to suspense. Despite the occasional flash of gore, this film is a subtle, low-key affair that earns its chills by concentrating on story and character. Tom Holland's clever script wisely takes its time to layer on its complications and surprises and builds gracefully to a final act full of shocks and surprises, especially its deviously clever final twist. Avowed Hitchcock disciple Richard Franklin does some fine work in the director's chair, quoting some of the most memorable visual devices from the original Hitchcock classic while working in some modern flourishes, including one memorably head-spinning crane shot. His skill makes it possible for him to turn even the simplest scene into a nail-biter: a great example is a scene where Norman's discovery of a note from Mother is intercut with a scene where Mary is harassed by Toomey. This sequence climaxes with a memorable dual-crescendo after building up a nerve-wracking amount of tension. Franklin also gets fine work from a fantastic support cast: Meg Tilly makes a likeably unconventional romantic interest, Dennis Franz is convincingly sleazy as the embittered former motel manager, and Vera Miles is frightfully intense as the woman obsessed with bringing Norman to justice by any means necessary. However, the most important attribute of the movie is the magnificent, understated performance by Anthony Perkins. He manages to turn a villain into a tragic hero, bringing out the humor and vulnerability in Norman Bates while also maintaining the quiet, menacing edge that keeps the audience guessing about his sanity. All in all, Psycho II is a clever, inspired piece of work that rises above its sequel status to stand on its own as an excellent exercise in suspense.