Psycho
Was released in 1960 in the USA.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Regarded as the “Granddaddy” of slasher films.
Film based on true happenings in the USA, for example the Ed Gein killings in the 1950’s.
Hitchcock also known as the “Master of suspense”

Media Language –
Use of close up shots of her face
And her body, emphasizing her womanly figure (male scope)
The film is in black and white, although at the time colour was used. Hitchcock may have done this to create a more original representation of the film. Make it look more authentic.
The knife could represent a phallic symbol.
The fact that she is naked instantly shows the audience that she is vulnerable, and that something is going to happen.
Extremely dramatic music is also used when she is murdered, and used through out, to create suspense and enigma. Also hints to the audience that something is going to happen, therefore used as a tool to further the narrative.

Institution – paramount pictures.

Genre – Psycho is considered as a slasher film, however, it does not follow all the conventions, such as a group of teenagers. Instead it is adults, middle age.
Additionally, there is no final girl, as the protagonist gets murdered.
As there is no group of kids, the murderer can not kill each character one by one.

Representation – Female character as the main protagonist of the film, indicating the advancements in the female role within society. Especially important, as the female roles may have been effected due to the second wave of feminism.
On the other hand, the female character is killed, and represented as vulnerable and weak.
Further more emphasized, as the other female character, is always with a man, and they work for a man too.

Audience – More likely to be targeted at an older age group audience, because the characters are older. Also deals with more complex issues, such as double personalities, and psychotic murders, which is not suitable for a younger audience.

Ideology – patriarchy.

Narrative – Is non linear, during the end of the film, there are flash backs, will fills in the gaps for the audience so we can see what happened. Also enables the audience to see who the murderer is. (Not todorovian)

Relevant theories – Mulvey – male gaze.



The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Produced in 1974, by Tobe Hooper, in the USA.
Was a independent low budget film.
Reflects actual killings in the USA.
The film clip at the end of the film shows the final girl, who finally escapes from the murderers.

Media Language.
Extremely gruesome- showing the blood, further emphasized as colour is used.
Extreme, extreme close up shots of the girls eyes, when she is sitting at the dining table with the murder family. Can see the fright and distraught feelings within her eyes, and could also the audience to identify with the character.
Use of masks, such as the main killer, Leather face, has his face covered, creating more suspense to who the murderer is.
Also, use of the chainsaw, to kill the characters. Visual object, and sharp. Could represent a phallic symbol.
Screaming, from all the characters, but especially the female character, who is trying to escape.

Institution –

Genre – using all the conventions of a slasher film. Such as the final girl, the group of teenagers, and getting killed one by one.

Representation – During the clip, the audience can see that the girl is a strong character, as she is still alive, and running away from the family.
Fact that she is full of blood shows that she has survived a lot of pain, however, while running she is almost crying, again suggesting that she is weak and in need of help.
She gets into the guys van, further accentuating that she needs to be saved, and is saved by a man.
The murderers are also male – showing that the villainous characters are usually male, and this representation would not commonly be associated with a female character.

Audience – A young teenage audience, as the majority of characters are young.
Can be both male and female, as it is a mixed group.

Ideology –

Narrative – The characters get killed one by one, this techniques enables the narrative to move on, as the last character is near to the end of the film, and also revealing the murderer.

SHEP – Female character portrayed as strong, yet still weak.
Typical representations of women e.g. the Madonna and the Whore.
Low budget film, therefore not much money spent, so not a typical glossy, Hollywood film.




Similarities.
Both films are extremely violent portraying the killings in the films.
Psychotic murderers.
Both have a predominant female character – seen in both weak and strong roles.

Differences.
Psycho is in black and white
Does not follow the typical conventions of slasher, where as texas chainsaw does. (eg group of teenagers, final girl etc)
Similar settings, both isolated and secluded.
Psycho does not show as much blood – so not as gruesome. Unlike texas chainsaw – making it more visceral.