78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene

78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene is a 2017 documentary film directed by Alexandre O. Philippe. The film focuses on the iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film, Psycho, and how it revolutionized the horror genre in filmmaking. The title of the film is a reference to the number of camera setups and cuts used in the scene, which lasts for only 78 seconds from start to finish, but includes 52 individual shots.

The documentary features interviews with a wide range of filmmakers and Hitchcock experts, including directors like Guillermo del Toro and Peter Bogdanovich, cinematographers like Guillermo Navarro, actors and actresses like Jamie Lee Curtis and Marli Renfro among others. The interviews provide intriguing insights into Hitchcock's creative process and the cultural impact of the shower scene.

The film traces the origins of Psycho, revealing how the novel by Robert Bloch inspired Hitchcock to make the film. The documentary explores the themes of the film, such as the exploration of the Freudian concept of the "Dark Side" of human nature, and the use of shock value to make the audience confront their own deepest fears.

The shower scene itself is analyzed in great detail, shot by shot, with numerous experts commenting on the lighting, the camera angles, and the editing techniques used to create the illusion of violence without showing any actual bloodshed. The documentary examines the cultural shock generated by the scene when it was first released, and how it changed the way filmmakers approached horror movies in the years to come.

The interviews and analysis are intercut with archival footage of Hitchcock, including interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the production of Psycho. The film also includes excerpts from the score by Bernard Herrmann, which played an important role in creating the tension and atmosphere of the scene.

78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene is an engrossing and insightful documentary that explores one of the most iconic moments in film history. Despite focusing almost exclusively on a single scene, the film manages to delve deep into the creative process behind it, as well as the broader cultural and historical implications of its existence. Anyone who has ever been intrigued by the power of cinema to shock, provoke, and transform audiences will find something to appreciate in this film.