{{Multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=June 2024}} {{Self-published|date=June 2024}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = The Psycho Legacy | image = The Psycho Legacy.jpg | alt = DVD cover art | caption = DVD cover art | director = Robert Galluzzo | producer = {{ubl|Robert Galluzzo|Anthony Masi}} | writer = Robert Galluzzo | narrator = Paul Ehlers | starring = {{ubl|Anthony Perkins|Diana Scarwid|Tom Holland}}Mick Garris | music = Jermaine Stegall | cinematography = John Torrani | editing = Jon Maus | studio = Masimedia | distributor = Shout! Factory | released = {{Film date|2010|10|19|ref1=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38553/trailer-two-the-psycho-legacy-slashes-its-way-online |title=Trailer Two for The Psycho Legacy Slashes its Way Online |last=Barton |first=Steve |website=Dread Central |date=October 17, 2012}}</ref>}} | runtime = 87 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = }}
'''''The Psycho Legacy''''' is a 2010 American independent direct-to-video documentary film that examines the history of the ''Psycho'' film franchise and the continuing legacy of the original ''Psycho''. It also pays a tribute to actor Anthony Perkins for his portrayal of character Norman Bates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemaspy.ca/article.php?id=2385 |title=New Trailer Released for 'Psycho' Doc}}</ref> It is written and directed by Robert Galluzzo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/12308 |title=12 Minutes of 'The Psycho Legacy' Documentary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429122046/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/12308/ |last=Miska |first=Brad |website=Bloody Disgusting |date=May 19, 2008 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 29, 2014}}</ref> It includes interviews with the cast and crew who were involved in the productions of ''Psycho'', ''Psycho II'', ''Psycho III'' and ''Psycho IV: The Beginning''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/08/psycho_iv_alumni_join_the_psyc.html |title=Psycho IV Alumni Join The Psycho Legacy Documentary! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080539/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/08/psycho_iv_alumni_join_the_psyc.html |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |website=iconsoffright.com |date=August 14, 2009 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> It also features interviews with current horror filmmakers who are fans of the ''Psycho'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38384/dvd-art-robert-galluzzos-the-psycho-legacy |title=DVD Art: Robert Galluzzo's The Psycho Legacy |last=Barton |first=Steve |website=Dread Central |date=July 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429061639/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38384/dvd-art-robert-galluzzos-the-psycho-legacy |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>
The documentary was in production for three years and was released on DVD on October 19, 2010, in the United States and Canada.
==Cast== {{Cast listing| * Anthony Perkins – Norman Bates, ''Psycho I–IV'' (archive footage)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/02/rare_anthony_perkins_footage_u.html |title=Rare Anthony Perkins Footage Uncovered For The Psycho Legacy Documentary! |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |website=iconsoffright.com |date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110023903/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/02/rare_anthony_perkins_footage_u.html |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> * Janet Leigh – Marion Crane, ''Psycho'' (archive footage) * Vera Miles – Lila Crane, ''Psycho I–II'' (archive footage) * Alfred Hitchcock – director, ''Psycho'' (archive footage) * Hilton A. Green – assistant director, ''Psycho''/Producer, ''Psycho II–IV''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36718/the-psycho-legacy-finally-coming-home |title=The Psycho Legacy Finally Coming Home |last=Barton |first=Steve |website=Dread Central |date=August 24, 2012}}</ref> * Tom Holland – writer, ''Psycho II'' * Richard Franklin – director, ''Psycho II'' (archive footage) * Robert Loggia – Dr. Bill Raymond, ''Psycho II'' * Kurt Paul – mother, ''Psycho'' II–III/Raymond Linette, ''Psycho IV'' * Diana Scarwid – Maureen Coyle, ''Psycho III'' * Lee Garlington – Myrna, ''Psycho II–III'' * Jeff Fahey – Duane Duke, ''Psycho III'' * Brinke Stevens – body double, ''Psycho III'' * Katt Shea – Patsy, ''Psycho III''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pretty-scary.net/content/katt-shea-talks-psycho-legacy |title=Katt Shea talks 'The Psycho Legacy' |author=Superheidi |website=pretty-scary.net |date=April 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414115123/http://pretty-scary.net/content/katt-shea-talks-psycho-legacy |archive-date=April 14, 2010 |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> * Donovan Scott – Kyle, ''Psycho III'' * Charles Edward Pogue – writer, ''Psycho III'' * Mick Garris – director, ''Psycho IV'' * Henry Thomas – Young Norman Bates, ''Psycho IV'' * Olivia Hussey – Norma Bates, ''Psycho IV'' * Michael Gingold – editor, ''Fangoria'' * Stuart Gordon – director * Adam Green – writer/director * Rolfe Kanefsky – writer/director * Joe Lynch – director * David J. Schow – writer }}
==Development== The documentary was originally developed in late 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/05/the_psycho_legacy_trailer.html |title=The Psycho Legacy Trailer! |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114104420/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/05/the_psycho_legacy_trailer.html |date=May 14, 2009 |website=iconsoffright.com |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> Robert Galluzzo said that he got the idea for the documentary when the ''Psycho II'' and ''Psycho III'' DVDs were re-released back in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/03/new_extensive_the_psycho_legac.html |title=New Extensive Psycho Legacy Interview On RetroSlashers.net! |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |date=March 6, 2009 |website=iconsoffright.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110021804/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/03/new_extensive_the_psycho_legac.html |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> He was disappointed that the DVDs contained no special features and that there was little existent information about the ''Psycho'' sequels and decided to make the documentary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2008/06/fright_exclusive_interview_psy.html |title=Fright Exclusive – Psycho Reunion Panel! |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |date=June 8, 2008 |website=iconsoffright.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225092202/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2008/06/fright_exclusive_interview_psy.html |archive-date=December 25, 2017 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>
Galluzzo originally went to Universal Studios with the idea of the studio financing the documentary and releasing it in a box set along with ''Psycho'', ''Psycho II'', ''Psycho III'' and ''Psycho IV: The Beginning'', but Universal wasn't interested in these ideas. John Murdy, the creative director of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, did allow Galluzzo to shoot an interview at the Bates Motel and Psycho house sets on the backlot. Pictures and footage from all the films had to be licensed from Universal, which accounted for the majority of the documentary's budget.
==Production== {{Unreferenced section|date=June 2024}} Filming began in January 2007. Galluzzo shot interviews with ''Psycho'' cast and crew members over the next three years. Galluzzo personally financed the production as he described it as a "labour of love project". Different types of digital video cameras were used to film the interviews over the three-year-long production, thus giving the documentary an aspect ratio of both fullscreen and widescreen. Galluzzo and editor Jon Maus used school equipment to edit the footage together first into a 12-minute promotional video and then the full documentary. Galluzzo stated in an interview with Retro Slashers.com: "The shoot itself was just my dear friend John Torrani, who had a Panasonic DVX-100 camera and myself. He was crazy enough to follow me on this journey and for that, I'm eternally grateful to him! Essentially, I made a ton of phone calls, sent out a ton of emails and did my best to contact as many ''Psycho'' alumni as possible to arrange interviews. Most of them are based out of California, so I'd work at my dayjob for 3 months straight, then take 2 weeks off to go shoot some interviews. And then come back and do it all over again. That's the main reason it's taken so long is because I had to go back to work and save up the money to continue shooting. This was always a labor of love, so I did anything I could to make it work and get just a tiny bit further along".
==Promotion== {{Unreferenced section|date=June 2024}} In April 2008, at the ''Fangoria'' horror convention, a ''Psycho'' reunion panel was held to promote the documentary. Many cast members attended, including Hilton A. Green, Mick Garris, Tom Holland, Kurt Paul, Juliette Cummins, Katt Shea, Cynthia Garris, Chris Hendrie and more. It was also promoted at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010
==Release== The documentary premiered at the 2010 Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 16, 2010, followed by a Q&A with Mick Garris, Cynthia Garris and Katt Shea. The documentary was released on DVD in the U.S. by Shout! Factory on October 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/06/the_psycho_movies_website_rela_1.html |title=The Psycho Movies Website Relaunches! |last=Galluzzo |first=Rob |date=December 30, 2009 |website=iconsoffright.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109153203/http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/06/the_psycho_movies_website_rela_1.html |archive-date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> Special features include a rare 41 minute panel discussion with Anthony Perkins, extended interviews, deleted scenes and multiple featurettes. The documentary was released on DVD and Blu-ray in France on October 18, 2011, and on Blu-ray in Germany on February 14, 2012.
==Critical reception== Staci Layne Wilson of Horror.com wrote: "Overall, I think this doc is a great way for Shout! Factory and Masi Media LLC to help us all celebrate the 50th birthday of Alfred Hitchcock's beloved ''Psycho''".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://horror.com/php/article-3318-1.html |title=The Psycho Legacy DVD Review |author=stacilayne |website=horror.com |date=September 18, 2010 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> Mike Gencarelli of Movie Mikes wrote: "If you add the amazing feature film to these special features you have the ultimate collection for all ''Psycho'' fans".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mediamikes.com/2010/06/interview-with-robert-galluzzo/ |title=Interview with Robert Galluzzo |last=Gencarelli |first=Mike |date=June 18, 2010 |website=mediamikes.com |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> Jason Allentoff of The Psycho Movies.com wrote: "RobG's look at this film series is incredible. It's a shame Universal hasn't taken notice".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Matt Fini of Dread Central.com wrote: "As far as ''Psycho'' is now concerned, we've thankfully got this documentary so that we won't forget".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Tyler Foster of DVD Talk.com wrote: "There are things to like, about both the feature and the extras, but I can only recommend a rental – spend your money on the new Blu-ray Disc of ''Psycho'' instead".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/44378 |title=Psycho Legacy, The |last=Foster |first=Tyler |website=DVD Talk |date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref> William David Lee of DVD Town.com wrote: "The retrospective may not be as in-depth as some would like, there is enough to sate the appetites of the most die-hard ''Psycho'' followers".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Horror Talk.com claims "director Galluzzo does his best with a lot of fine material and keeps things moving at a decent clip, but repeat viewings will reveal the limitations that keep this from being the ultimate experience that it should be".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Joe Shearer of Film Yap.com wrote: "If you're a fan of the ''Psycho'' franchise, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this DVD. If you're a classicist looking for insights on Hitchcock, I'd say you might come away from this disappointed".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Some critics{{Who|date=June 2024}} noted the fact that the Robert Bloch novels were barely discussed in the documentary, and that both the failed TV pilot ''Bates Motel'' and the 1998 film remake were not mentioned, although segments covering the latter were initially slated for inclusion in the bonus features. Some critics{{Who|date=June 2024}} also criticized the low-budget production values of the film, citing issues with the sound and aspect ratio of the documentary.
The documentary received a 7.0 out of 10 rating from IGN.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/18/the-psycho-legacy-dvd-review |title=The Psycho Legacy DVD Review |last=Shaffer |first=R.L. |website=IGN |date=October 18, 2010}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|1230161}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|the_psycho_legacy|The Psycho Legacy}}
{{Psycho}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Psycho Legacy, The}} Category:2010 documentary films Category:2010 direct-to-video films Category:2010 films Category:American documentary films Category:American independent films Category:American direct-to-video films Category:Psycho (franchise) Category:Films shot in Los Angeles Category:Films shot in New York City Category:Documentary films about films Category:Direct-to-video documentary films Category:Documentary films about Alfred Hitchcock Category:Documentary films about horror Category:2010 independent films Category:2010 English-language films Category:2010 American films Category:English-language independent films