Psycho(1960) vs. Homicidal(1961)

[marsattacks666]

Here I present two films Psycho and Homicidal. Both films very shocking at the time of their release. Psycho, a definite masterpiece, that has lasted through the ages.  Homicidal, though not a commercial success. The film is just as well written and important in Horror/Suspense cinema as Psycho is. Homicidal never received the accolades
and critical praise, like Psycho received.

Time magazine did give Homicidal a positive review.  But other reviewers were not so kind.  So.....my question is, how many fans of both films?  Or,  how many dislike Homicidal?  William Castle was the master of shock cinema.
But I feel, Homicidal surpasses his other films. Homicidal is definitely shocking, and graphic. Still, the film has a good narrative and can hold-up against Psycho, any day.

[marsattacks666]

Homicidal Trailer

[Flower]

I've only seen Psycho but will research Homicidal and get back to you.

[Monster Bob]

They are both masterpieces in their own right.

I saw HOMICIDAL first, at about 10 or 12, on TV, at midnight, uncut, with my Mom. It scared the crap out of me, more so than anything else up to that point, and I didn't sleep right for a week. I still clearly remember the stabbing scene and Helga's 'shadow and head'.

I saw PSYCHO for the first time a couple of years later, and while I loved it, it didn't scare me as much as H did the first time. BTW, I did, and do still, love tall blondes. For awhile, HOMICIDAL kind of skewed my view of that.

Big fan of both.

[Haunted hearse]

Homicidal, is a good film.  IMHO Psycho is the better film, however, I give Castle credit for making a film intended to cash in on the success of Psycho with a film that was good in it's own right.  To say Homicidal is as important in Horror/Suspense cinema as Psycho is would be overstating the films place in cinematic history.  Many films have actually lifted things right from Psycho (The theme from Halloween for example) but I would be hard pressed to see where Homicidal inspired film makers to the degree of Psycho, and what lasting impact it had.  But as far as which film one prefers, I guess it really boils down to personal preferance.

[Monster Bob]

No doubt PSYCHO is the superior film technically, but HOMICIDAL has much deeper scares, for me. They are still around!

[Mord]

Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.

[marsattacks666]

Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.

Hmmmmm.

[MDG]

Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.

Pretty much this.

I love Homicidal, but it's pretty shallow. Though very well made, it's pretty much a copy of Psycho without the subtext.

Something to think about: In Hitchcock's movies, despite the MacGuffin , the characters are trying to find some deeper goal; in Castlle's movies, it's usually about money.

[Robert W]

Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.

Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.

[marsattacks666]

Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.

Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.

Most definitely.

[Mord]

Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.

Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.

Well, not to mention, one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) directors to ever make movies.

[marsattacks666]

Well, not to mention, one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) directors to ever make movies.

Yes, Alfred Hitchcock was an outstanding director. Unfortunately, William Castle was a good director, but never taken seriously. Because of the films He produced.  Homicidal as a film, does stand alone, and doesn't mimic Psycho completely. Homicidal is less derivative than  what critics claim.
Although Psycho is a film that goes beyond perfection. There are some cheese-ball moments in the film. 

[Unknown Primate]

Actually, I didn't see HOMICIDAL till just a few years ago.  Exactly the kind of movie that would creep me out for years and years.  Saw PSYCHO when I was around 13-14 and it definitely stayed with me for quite some time.  I need to check out HOMICIDAL again.  So, for now, I have to say, PSYCHO.  The movies that have forever disturbed me are along the same lines, even dreaming about them every so often.  Besides PSYCHO & HOMICIDAL, they include HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (sorry charp13), WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, LADY IN A CAGE, THE BAD SEED, STRAIGHT-JACKET, etc.

[marsattacks666]

Actually, I didn't see HOMICIDAL till just a few years ago.  Exactly the kind of movie that would creep me out for years and years.  Saw PSYCHO when I was around 13-14 and it definitely stayed with me for quite some time.  I need to check out HOMICIDAL again.  So, for now, I have to say, PSYCHO.  The movies that have forever disturbed me are along the same lines, even dreaming about them every so often.  Besides PSYCHO & HOMICIDAL, they include HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (sorry charp13), WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, LADY IN A CAGE, THE BAD SEED, STRAIGHT-JACKET, etc.

Straitjacket.  I watched that film a while ago. Pretty cool film. Totally E.C. comics.