Great Scene: “Psycho”

78 shots in 45 seconds = One of the most memorable movie scenes ever.

After I first saw the movie Psycho (1960) as an impressionable youth, there wasn’t a week that went by for several years that, while taking a shower, I didn’t recall (and get freaked out by) this great scene.

Here is the script excerpt:

Here is the movie version of the scene:

One of the reasons the scene is so compelling is because of its ‘slashing’ pace — compared to every scene up to this point, which play out at a rather leisurely speed, the shower scene — from the point of attack to Norman’s departure — is (I’ve read) 78 shots in 45 seconds. Check out the scene description:

And impression of a knife slashing, as if tearing at the very 
screen, ripping the film. Over it, the brief gulps of 
screaming. And then silence. And then the dreadful thump as 
Mary's body falls in the tub.

Four lines cover all those camera shots.

Here’s a good analysis of the shower scene:

For more Great Scenes, go here.