Review of Peeping Tom (1960) by Adam T — 30 Aug 2008

Nearly every review of "Peeping Tom" that I have read makes some reference to "Psycho," usually (and unfairly) dubbing it the "British Psycho." In the spirit of conformity, this review will be no exception, because there actually are quite a few parallels that can be drawn between the two. Directed by Michael Powell (of Powell and Pressburger fame), "Peeping Tom" is a study of the pathology of a voyeuristic, obsessive, fetishistic serial killer, an unassuming and socially awkward photographer named Mark Lewis. After filming himself killing several women, Lewis (whose homicidal implulses have been shaped by an emotionally abusive parent) tries to rid himself of his murderous behavior when he meets a young woman and falls in love with her (such as he is capable). Of course, he is unable to restrain his compulsive urges, and the film builds to a horifying climax where Lewis' psychosis reaches its absolute peak. Does that sound at all familiar?

Both "Peeping Tom" and "Psycho" were released in 1960, and both shocked audiences and critics for their frank portrayal of violence and sexual themes and sympathetic portrayals of serial killers, although Hitchcock's work was a massive hit while Powell almost brought about his own ruin. I don't want to give the impression that these films are twins separated at birth or anything, because they are actually very different works. For one, "Peeping Tom" is shot in gorgeous, glossy Technicolor (whatever complaints I might have with films like "Black Narcissus" and "Red Shoes," they looked breathtaking), and while Hitchcock was mainly looking to completely confound audience expectations, Powell is primarily concerned with exploring the psyche of a mentally deranged individual (don't tell me that the explanation for Norman Bates' actions wasn't completely ridiculous). At any rate, "Peeping Tom" is a deeply unsettling and morbidly entertaining masterpiece, and even though it doesn't get the same kind of recognition that "Psycho" does, it deserves all of it, and perhaps even more.