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Barry Kingston

Dr. Nicole Ritcher

Motion Picture 1310

8 June 2021

Analysis: Hitchcock Auteur

Alfred Hitchcock’s films Rear Window and Psycho have one major theme in common:

voyeurism. Hitchcock's authorship is highly evident and there are several themes that these films

share, but the voyeurism theme is the most prevalent and important to these stories. In Rear

Window the main character Jeff, played by James Stewart, is wheelchair ridden after a work

accident. He spends his days staring out the window of his New York apartment. This hobby

turns into an obsession when he sees a series of events that leads him to suspect his neighbor of

murdering his wife. His voyeurism is the main action of the film. Hitchcock’s film Psycho

explores the theme of voyeurism through the antagonist of the story, Norman Bates, played by

Anthony Perkins. Hitchcock shows Bates using the classic voyeuristic “hole in the wall” to spy

on Marion Crane undressing. This is the obvious use of this theme, but Bates can be seen

throughout the entire film spying on all the characters, whether it be from the window of his

home, or from various parts of the hotel. In both movies the voyeurs are the only characters in

the stories who have all the information regarding the murders, giving them the power in the

narratives, and implying extra importance to their characters.

Despite the meaning of the voyeur theme in the book (comparing voyeurs to spectators of

movies), the theme has an ulterior meaning. Voyeurism is used to show that what we see is not

always as it appears. Hitchcock focuses on sight in these films. In Psycho he shows the murder

taking place, but what he did not show the audience is where the truth lies. It is not until the end
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when we see the truth behind Marion Cranes' murder. Not only did Norman kill her, but his

identity, or identities are brought to light. We see Norman throughout the film, but we do not see

him for who he truly is until Hitchcock reveals it to us. In Rear Window, the movie is shown

through the perspective of Jeff and what he sees, but the main details of the murder, and the

tangible evidence is divulged when the curtains are drawn, or when Jeff is sleeping. Jeff also sees

his love interest, Lisa, played by Grace Kelly, as not right for him based on her appearance and

how he perceives her to be. It is not until the end after she risks her life for him that he is finally

in love with her. Hitchcock uses voyeurism, or sight to create illusions, suspense, and mystery,

all of which contribute to the authorship of his films.

Hitchcock uses the visual technique of close-up shots to convey emotion. Psycho’s close-

up of Janet Leigh (Marion Crane) screaming in the shower is one of the most iconic close-ups of

all time. The wide-open-mouthed scream captures the horrific event perfectly. This use of close-

up shots can be seen in James Stewart’s face in the climactic scene where Mr. Lars is holding

him from his balcony. His terror and fear of death are unmistakable, adding to the suspense.

Another visual technique these movies share is the use of jump cuts for dramatic effect. These

cuts can be seen in the shower scene in Psycho, and the fight scene with Mr. Lars and Jeff in

Rear Window. They are used to heighten the discomfort and action taking place in films.