Twenty three years after Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho shattered expectations and shocked audiences around the world, Australian filmmaker Richard Franklin (Patrick, Road Games) boldly followed in the master's footsteps and directed Psycho II, a sequel that not only delivered on the promise of his earlier films, but arguably lived up to the original. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is declared sane and released from the facility in which he was being held, despite the complaints of Lila Loomis (née Crane, Vera Miles) sister of Norman's most famous victim. All Norman wants to do is live quietly and productively as a normal member of society. But is returning to the house he once shared with his mother, and running the motel that was the site of so many murders, really a good idea? Is he cured, or will he kill again?
Psycho III would see Anthony Perkins himself take the franchise's reins for his directorial debut, bringing a stylish flair that suggested his time working with not only Alfred Hitchcock, but Orson Welles and Ken Russell had been well spent. A fallen nun (Diana Scarwid), a sleazy drifter (Jeff Fahey), and a curious reporter looking for a scoop (Roberta Maxwell) all arrive at the Bates Motel and "Mother" is less than happy, especially when Norman begins to fall in love. Meanwhile, Psycho IV: The Beginning, written by Joseph Stefano (screenwriter of the 1960 original) and directed by master of horror Mick Garris, returns to the primal scene to show us how it all began in Anthony Perkins' final franchise appearance. Rehabilitated and happily married, Norman Bates has finally escaped from the overbearing influence of his abusive mother. But his wife is pregnant, and Norman finds himself afraid that the child will inherit his mental illness. When he hears talk radio host Fran Ambrose (CCH Pounder) discussing the topic of matricide, Norman calls in under a false name, to tell his story. Starring Henry Thomas (E.T.) as young Norman and Olivia Hussey (Black Christmas) as his mother, Norma.
The story set up by the most shocking film of all time continues in these three sequels, each more terrifying than the next, and restored from the original camera negatives.
Product Features
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of Psycho II, Psycho III, and Psycho IV: The Beginning, all restored from the original camera negatives
- Original stereo and 5.1 options for Psycho II and Psycho III, and stereo audio for Psycho IV
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
DISC 1 - PSYCHO II
- Audio commentary by film critics Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
- Archive audio commentary by screenwriter Tom Holland
- Behind the Curtain: The Masters of Horror on Psycho, a panel discussion with screenwriter Tom Holland and Psycho IV director Mick Garris moderated by Robert Galluzzo
- Giving Bloch His Due, an interview with Chet Williams, author of Psycho: Sanitarium on the legacy of Norman Bates' creator, author Robert Bloch
- Anthony Perkins TV and audio interviews
- Richard Franklin audio interview
- Richard Franklin On Set featurette
- Richard Franklin scene commentary
- Vintage featurettes including interviews with Perkins, Franklin, and Vera Miles
- Psycho II demo by composer Jerry Goldsmith
- Audio press kit/promotional record
- Trailers & TV spots
- Image gallery
DISC 2 - PSYCHO III
- Audio commentary by film critics Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
- Archive audio commentary by screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue
- Carnival of the Heart, a visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller Nicholas
- Scream of Love, an interview with composer Carter Burwell
- Watch the Guitar, an interview with actor Jeff Fahey
- Patsy's Last Night, an interview with actor Katt Shea
- Mother's Maker, an interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Westmore
- Body Double, an interview with actor Brinke Stevens
- Original Electronic Press Kit
- Alternate opening sequence
- Theatrical trailer
- TV spot
- Image gallery
DISC 3 - PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING
- Archive audio commentary with Mick Garris and actors Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey
- Death by Strings, a visual essay by author and critic Guy Adams on music across the franchise
- The Making of Mother, an archive interview with make-up effects artist Tony Gardner
- Behind the scenes footage
- A Look at the Scoring of Psycho IV, an archive featurette
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
