Of all the works of Alfred Hitchcock, the most famous, intimidating, ageless, innovative and unique, despite countless attempts to reproduce success, is the film Psycho. In fairness, it is worth noting that during the life of the master, none of the filmmakers did not dare to remove the direct sequel. Only in the 80s, three “Psychoses” were released immediately, with the third part being shot by Anthony Perkins, the hostage actor of the role of a psychopathic killer named Norman Bates. “Psycho” is a Hitchcock thriller, with this movie masterpiece the name Norman is associated with most fans of the genre. A much smaller number of inhabitants know about Robert Bloch’s book Psychosis, which was the basis for the film, and few know that the novel was based on events that actually happened once.
Literary prototype and real man
It is generally accepted that during the creation of the Norman Bates character, writer Robert Bloch was inspired by a real person - the killer Ed Gain. Much later, the writer presented to the public his author's, rich in artistic speculation, story of Hein. In addition, Bloch stated that certain characteristics were copied from the publisher of Castle of Frankenstein, Calvin Beck. Therefore, Norman Bates is both Calvin Beck and Ed Gain.
The story of Norman becoming a crazy killer maniac began with his mother Norma. The woman opposed any manifestation of carnal relations, accused people of sinfulness and called all the women around them fallen. After the death of Father Norman, the mother and son lived together for a certain time. But the boy grew up, and soon Norma had a lover named Joe Considine. Norman Bates, crazy from jealousy, poisoned his lover and mother with strychnine. At the same time, the teenager fabricated Norma's dying note, which clearly indicated that she had poisoned her lover, after which she committed suicide. Then no one suspected the teenager, but Bates still ended up in a mental hospital. There, unbridled guilt led to the emergence of alternative personalities of Norman.
Three personalities
Leaving the walls of the hospital, Norman Bates inherited not only his mother's house, but also a family business - a motel. In addition, the corpse of his beloved mom became the most valuable part of the property of a crazy guy. In the literary original, Flea Bates was a vessel for the coexistence of three personalities - the dependent scared little boy Norman, the imperious, tough and aggressive Norma, capable of destroying everyone who encroaches on the secret of her death, and the normal, reasonable and adult Norman. Rule, as in reality, Norma, for which the unfortunate madman even spoke in a female high voice.
Cinema image
The cinematic image of Norman is significantly different from the literary one. The book hero is a short, ugly 45-year-old man. In the Hitchcock movie, the hero is a handsome, slender guy of 25-30 years old. They say that changing the appearance of the hero is entirely the merit of the director, Hitchcock wanted the viewer to a certain extent sympathize with the character. Initially, in the film, Bates appears before the viewer as the owner of a modest motel, which is managed jointly with his mother.
After a while, Norman wakes up sympathy for one of the guests Marion Crane, who has the imprudence to recommend a guy to send his mother to a madhouse. That same evening, the girl dies from the blows of a knife inflicted by a figure in a white hoodie. Norma and Norman decide to get rid of the corpse, but they cannot hide what happened. During the ongoing investigation, it turns out that Norma Bates died several years ago. It becomes clear to everyone - the killer is Norman himself, that is, one of his alternatives. As a result, the hero is neutralized and placed in a psychiatric hospital, where Norma completely destroys his mind, and people bypass the distant expensive Bates motel. Norman will leave the asylum after 22 years.
1983 sequel character
In the second part of the film, the hero leaves the hospital. Therapy helps Norman get rid of his mother’s personality. Time passes, a man falls in love with a relative of his first victim. But people in the area are starting to die again, and Bates receives mysterious messages from a sort of rebellious mother. This development of events slowly but surely drives a man crazy. As a result, it turns out that behind all these incidents is Lily Crane - the sister of the girl killed by Norman in the first part. She, guided by a sense of revenge, makes every effort to return Bates to the hospital. At the same time, Norma's equally insane sister appears by the name of Emma, who considers herself the mother of the protagonist. In the end, the lunatic Norman Bates kills an unexpectedly announced aunt, but preserves the corpse, probably out of habit.
The fight and the relatively positive ending
In the third and fourth parts, Norman’s struggle with his mother continues with varying success. As a result, the hero still manages to get rid of the ghosts of the past, having prevented “his mother” from killing his wife. Bates burns a family mansion to break a thread connected with the past. Naturally, if absolutely necessary, the creators could reanimate the cruel Norm at any time, but they decided to make the final of the fourth part relatively positive.
So appeared before the viewer a psychopath killer Norman Bates. The film Psycho, directed by Hitchcock, is rightfully recognized as the best in the franchise.