Memorable cinema trailer featuring Hitchcock introducing viewers to the sets and story of Psycho.

Okay, the reviewer's ultimate challenge: Review Psycho without giving away too much of the plot. Because the main pleasure of Psycho is the twists and turns of the plot, no doubt about it. Hitchcock knew what he was doing when he insisted that no latecomers would be admitted once the film started. So, for those that don't know the movie and don't want it spoiled, a few general comments.

This is the Hitchcock everybody remembers. Even after three sequels (mostly surprisingly intelligent, until Psycho IV screwed it all up by electing to show the incredibly dull story of the events before Psycho) and umpteen rip-offs, plus the recent remake, Psycho still stands tall, despite the fact that not that many people have actually seen it. Critics have noted that, stylistically, it's not really anything very special, and to be sure, it dates a bit - audiences can see most of the key thrills as somewhat pass.

Surprisingly, Psycho actually ignores Hitchcock's famed "ticking bomb" theory of suspense - a bomb going off immediately is a surprise and good for maybe ten seconds of audience nervousness but having the audience know that a bomb's going to go off and watch people carry on entirely ignorant of that fact is suspense and good for several minutes of agonising the audience. Psycho contains few sustained scenes of "ticking bomb" syndrome - most of the effects are surprises rather than giving the audience advance knowledge of the disaster awaiting the characters.

Shadow of a Doubt is a suspense thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film stars Joseph Cotten as a bitter man who has strangled several widows for their fortunes, and Theresa Wright as his niece, who is unaware of his crimes and worships him. When Cotten pays an extended visit to Wright's family, his curious behaviour as well as visits from detectives lead Wright to realise that he is a murderer, putting her own life in jeopardy.

Shadow of a Doubt is a good film despite many nagging problems. It benefits from an excellent cast and an intelligent script. Most of the problems arise from character development and plot, and while each taken separately are minor, they combine to keep the film from being one of Hitchcock's best.

Hitchcock is held to a high standard, and that is the standard I judge his films by. Shadow of a Doubt remains a good and interesting film, but he has made many that are better.