Hitchcock
Short description
Hitchcock is a 2012 drama about the director Alfred Hitchcock during the making of Psycho. Coming off a major success, Hitchcock chooses an adaptation of Robert Bloch's novel as his next project, a decision his studio refuses to back. He puts up his own money in exchange for a share of the profits, a gamble that places his marriage under strain. His wife and collaborator, Alma Reville, has doubts about the film but stands by him, even as the production tests their relationship. The film is based on Stephen Rebello's book about the making of Psycho.
Sacha Gervasi directed, working from a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin. It was Gervasi's first feature as director, followed by November Criminals in 2017. Anthony Hopkins plays Hitchcock and Helen Mirren plays Alma Reville, with Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Danny Huston, Toni Collette and Michael Stuhlbarg in supporting roles, among 68 credited cast members.
Made for about 16 million dollars, the film took roughly 27 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.8 out of 10 from 83,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.6 out of 10 from 1,669 votes. A critics' rating of 6.1 out of 10 from 213 reviews places it slightly below the audience scores, though all three sit in similar territory. It was released in November 2012.
What's left behind the scenes
- The character of Norman Bates in Robert Bloch's original novel 'Psycho' was created based on the real-life murderer Ed Gein, as was the character of Jame Gumb in Thomas Harris's novel 'The Silence of the Lambs,' which was portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the film adaptation.
- Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Evan Rachel Wood, Abby Cornish, January Jones, Chloë Sevigny, Kate Mara, Brit Marling, Ashley Greene, Emily de Ravin, Camilla Belle, Natalie Dormer, Dianna Agron, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Sarah Gadon were considered for the roles of Janet Leigh and Vera Miles. Ultimately, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel were cast in these roles.
- Ben Barnes, Jack Huston, Jackson Rathbone, Tom Felton, Ryan Merriman, and Aaron Johnson auditioned for the role of Anthony Perkins.
- Due to a busy rehearsal schedule and his role in the Broadway production of 'Death of a Salesman,' Andrew Garfield was unable to play Anthony Perkins in this film.
- Anthony Hopkins met Alfred Hitchcock in his youth. It was a meeting at a restaurant when Hopkins’ agent introduced him to Hitchcock.
- Anthony Hopkins and Danny Huston both played the role of King Richard I (the Lionheart). Huston played him in 'Robin Hood' (2010), and Hopkins in his debut 'The Lion in Winter' (1968).
- In this film, Helen Mirren plays the role of a famous film director's wife. In real life, she is also married to a well-known film director, namely Taylor Hackford.
- In the final scene, a crow lands on Hitchcock’s shoulder, hinting that his next project will be the film “The Birds” (1963). This film and his relationship with Tippi Hedren formed the basis for another project about Hitchcock titled “The Girl” (2012).
- While Hitchcock is being shaved, his assistant Peggy (Toni Collette) notes that 20th Century Fox is offering him the position of director on “The Diary of Anne Frank” (1959). This scene takes place after the Chicago premiere of “North by Northwest” (1959) on July 8, 1959. By that point, “The Diary of Anne Frank” (1959) had already been filmed, with its first screening taking place in March 1959, four months before the Chicago premiere of “North by Northwest” (1959).
- Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson) claims she enjoys working with Hitchcock, dismissively stating, “It’s better than working with Orson Welles.” The actors of the 1958 film “Touch of Evil” (including Janet Leigh) absolutely adored working with Welles. He treated them like gold. Those who couldn’t stand him were the studio executives.
- When Hitchcock’s shave is finished, remnants of shaving cream are visible on his cheeks. When he looks in the mirror, there is no cream on his face, but when the camera returns to him, the cream reappears on his face.
- While Hitchcock is reading 'Psycho,' Alma takes the book from him mid-chapter. He takes it back, but continues reading from the beginning of another chapter.
- In the scene with composer Bernard Herrmann, Hitchcock addresses him as Bernie. Practically no one called him that. Everyone who was close to him called him Benny.
- In the scene on the set where Arbogast is about to be stabbed, Anthony Perkins' character sits nearby as Mrs. Bates. Perkins wasn't even on set that day. The only time Perkins actually appeared on screen as Mrs. Bates is in the climactic scene in the cellar. In the scene with Arbogast and the shower murder scene, stunt doubles were used instead of Perkins.
- In the scene where Hitchcock sits in front of his television watching a cartoon while listening to classical music, the credits correctly state that Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 Scherzo is playing. However, the cover of the record on the turntable clearly shows the title “Beethoven. Overture.”
- The famous Bates mansion is shown twice in the film, from the right side (opposite to how it is shown in the 1960 film 'Psycho'). Originally, this house consisted of only two walls – the left side and the front facade.
- Hitchcock's (Anthony Hopkins) final words in the film, addressed to the audience, are "Good evening." The real Hitchcock began his shows with this phrase, and always ended them with "Good night."
- The character of Norman Bates is based on the image of serial killer Ed Gein.
- The film is based on the non-fiction book "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" by Stephen Rebello.
- The film was shot in 36 days.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
