DVDizzy Forum

I don't yet have <i>Psycho</i> on DVD but would like to remedy that soon. I'm have a hard time finding any decent comparison of the available editions in online reviews. Does anyone know which edition is generally the best (particularly in terms of video quality)?

-Aaron

All right, from what I've read online, the two Collector's Editions of Psycho are exactly the same apart from cover art (this is the old one and this is the new). The only R1 version that differs from these two is the one found in the Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection. From what I understand, the Psycho disc in that set has marginally better picture quality and all of the old supplements minus some cast and crew bios.

I would wait a bit, though. Earlier this year, news leaked out that Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo were being prepped for 2-disc Legacy Edition sets for the end of the year. While it's obviously getting a little late for these to be officially announced, I'd say wait a few more weeks in case Universal decides to release the film for Christmas. If by early-to-mid October there's no announcement, then I think you'll be safe picking up any of the current editions.

Disneykid wrote:I would wait a bit, though. Earlier this year, news leaked out that Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo were being prepped for 2-disc Legacy Edition sets for the end of the year. While it's obviously getting a little late for these to be officially announced, I'd say wait a few more weeks in case Universal decides to release the film for Christmas. If by early-to-mid October there's no announcement, then I think you'll be safe picking up any of the current editions.

Great! Thanks for the info. All three were probably going to end up on my Christmas list anyways, so I'll wait. Any news on <i>The Birds</i>?

-Aaron

ETA: Dang, Aaron already responded!

As for The Birds, that was the title I heard would be in the Legacy Edition line, but Kelvin's likely more on top of DVD news than I am these days, so Vertigo and Rear Window probably were announced elsewhere and I didn't find it.

Kelvin, our very own Disney Kid at heart wrote:All right, from what I've read online, the two Collector's Editions of Psycho are exactly the same apart from cover art (this is the old one and this is the new). The only R1 version that differs from these two is the one found in the Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection. From what I understand, the Psycho disc in that set has marginally better picture quality and all of the old supplements minus some cast and crew bios.

Also, only the one in the Masterpiece Collection is anamorphically enhanced (Vertigo and Psycho were both treated to a non-anamorphic release for their initial CE's, but they both have been anamorphic-itized in the new boxset). Plus, the making-of documentary (94 minutes) was moved to a separate bonus disc, to allow for a higher bitrate transfer for the movie (the same was done with the 79-minute doc for The Birds).

Every Kid should be a Disney Kid wrote:I would wait a bit, though. Earlier this year, news leaked out that Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo were being prepped for 2-disc Legacy Edition sets for the end of the year. While it's obviously getting a little late for these to be officially announced, I'd say wait a few more weeks in case Universal decides to release the film for Christmas. If by early-to-mid October there's no announcement, then I think you'll be safe picking up any of the current editions.

Last year's announcements for Dracula, Double Indemnity, and Frankenstein came in late August, so we should hear about the next Legacy Edition titlets soon. Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Birds are the only ones from Universal's 14-title Hitchcock catalog that haven't been re-released yet, so I'm sure either all four will get the Legacy Edition treatment, or only the first three mentioned.

And if netty were to post, he'd also say, "Keep Gus Van Sant's Psycho in mind as well, and don't forget the three sequels!"

Psycho (1998)

Psycho II / Psycho III / Psycho IV: The Beginning - Triple Feature Set

Scaps

Disneykid wrote:I would wait a bit, though. Earlier this year, news leaked out that Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo were being prepped for 2-disc Legacy Edition sets for the end of the year. While it's obviously getting a little late for these to be officially announced, I'd say wait a few more weeks in case Universal decides to release the film for Christmas.

Ohhhh! I hope that turns out to be true! I'd love to see Psycho and Rear Window with a Legacy Edition!

Crossing my fingers for The Birds too.

Escapay wrote:As for The Birds, that was the title I heard would be in the Legacy Edition line, but Kelvin's likely more on top of DVD news than I am these days, so Vertigo and Rear Window probably were announced elsewhere and I didn't find it.

Turns out you're more on top of things than I am. I searched HomeTheaterForum's threads (where I first heard the rumors about the Hitchcock Legacy Editions) and found that Psycho and The Birds were the ones actually announced way back in March (but with no specific release dates) while Rear Window and Vertigo were merely rumored. Still, like you said, considering these are the only four not re-released after the Hitchcock Collection set, I can only assume they're being prepped for royal treatments. That makes sense considering those are the four most popular Hitchcock films. Come on, Universal, what's the hold up?

Four months later...

Has anyone heard anything regarding the Legacy Edition releases?

-Aaron

AwallaceUNC wrote:Four months later...

Has anyone heard anything regarding the Legacy Edition releases?

-Aaron

Aside from the upcoming Imitation of Life two-movie set (February 5), Universal hasn't announced any other titles. I'm surprised that the predicted/rumored Hitchcock titles weren't released. The other 10 films in Universal's control got their individual re-releases in February and June 2006, the hold-up for the final 4 is ridiculous.

Scaps

Universal did apparently promise Hitchcock titles for HD DVD - which would imply (if not guarantee) new masters (or at the very least transfers) were to be made.

Of course, the whole HD DVD thing is up in the air at the moment – and likely to come crashing down like a dead duck. But who knows?

I just bought a Hitchcock DVD collection for £30. 14 films including Psycho (2 disc), Rear Window, Vertigo, The Birds... it's all good.

It's finally here!

Psycho - 7th October 2008
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/psycho.html
Disc 1 (Side A)
• Feature Commentary with Stephen Rebello (author of "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho")
• Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho
• The Shower Scene
• The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass
• The Psycho Archives
• Posters and Psycho Ads
• Lobby Cards
• Behind-the-Scenes Photographs
• Production Photographs
• Production Notes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Re-Release Trailers

Disc 2 (Side A): Bonus Disc
• The Making of Psycho
• In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
• Hitchcock / Truffaut Interview Excerpts
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Vertigo - 7th October 2008
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/vertigo.html
Disc 1 (Side A)
• Feature Commentary with Associate Producer Herbert Coleman, Restoration Team Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz and Other Vertigo Participants
• Feature Commentary with Director William Friedkin
• Foreign Censorship Ending
• The Vertigo Archives
• Production Notes
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Restoration Theatrical Trailer

Disc 2 (Side A): Bonus Disc
• Obsessed with Vertigo: New Life for Hitchcock's Masterpiece
• Partners in Crime: Hitchcock's Collaborators
• Hitchcock / Truffaut Interview Excerpts
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents "The Case of Mr. Pelham"

Rear Window - 7th October 2008
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/rear-window.html
• Feature Commentary with John Fawell (author of "Hitchcock's Rear Window: The Well-Made Film")
• Production Photographs
• Production Notes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Re-Release Trailer Narrated by James Stewart

Disc 2 (Side A): Bonus Disc
• Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary
• A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes
• Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master
• Hitchcock / Truffaut Interview Excerpts
• Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Mr. Blanchard's Secret"

Probably in Blu-Ray too? Rear Window and Vertigo's VistaVision cinematography should look beautiful in hi-def.

Gaaahh...they had to announce these right after I go Blu. BD versions of both better be coming and soon. It's going to be torture not picking these up, but it'll be worth it to wait for the BDs. I've waited this long already, anyway.

Disneykid wrote:Gaaahh...they had to announce these right after I go Blu. BD versions of both better be coming and soon. It's going to be torture not picking these up, but it'll be worth it to wait for the BDs. I've waited this long already, anyway.

Ditto. I would buy Blu-Ray for 3 of those 4.

I'll be picking that one up. I got the 3 sequel triple feature, but I was still looking for the first one. I'll definitely buy it because mother told me to.

jrboy wrote:It's finally here!

*drools all over self*

YAY, finally something really decent for Psycho and my personal favorite Rear Window. I'll be picking those up at some point, since they're, in my opinion, Hitchcock's best.
I am just so glad I waited.

I'll probably pick up all 3 on dvd! Can't wait.

I'm excited for these releases as well, but come on Universal, no love for The Birds?

Still, I know I'm definitely getting these new releases, eventually...

Albert

Big Train has love of the Birds!

You may appreciate this Escapay while you wait for a Birds announcement!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLToN2pjik8