Vertigo (1958)
8.136 /10
6407 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Det. John 'Scottie' Ferguson
... Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
... Marjorie 'Midge' Wood
... Gavin Elster
... Coroner
User reviews
All I know, this film wasn’t so successful at first and this probably because the audience didn’t expect a film so dark and claustrophobic. Vertigo was so strange already from the beginning because of its surreal and nightmarish atmosphere. I bow to Hitchcock in his creativity in visualizing Jimmy Stewart’s acrophobia by implementing one of the oldest cinematography techniques, using zoom lens as it zooms in while the object moves away, emphasizing his terrified feeling and insecurity whenever he’s at a particular height due to a chronic vertigo he suffers. As always, the film director’s cameo appearance has always been fascinating since we know it’s his habit therefore we will usually let our eyes wander throughout the film, trying to spot him. In conclusion, this timeless thriller remains a classic gem despite the emergence of new modern films. The great visual effects also seem timeless when compared to digital effects. I hope my review doesn’t give you vertigo = )
Director:
Writer:
Pierre Boileau (Novel)
Thomas Narcejac (Novel)
Alec Coppel (Screenplay)
Samuel A. Taylor (Screenplay)
Release Date:
1958-05-09
Run Time:
128 min
MMPA Rating:
PG
Reviews of
Vertigo
All I know, this film wasn’t so successful at first and this probably because the audience didn’t expect a film so dark and claustrophobic. Vertigo was so strange already from the beginning because of its surreal and nightmarish atmosphere. I bow to Hitchcock in his creativity in visualizing Jimmy Stewart’s acrophobia by implementing one of the oldest cinematography techniques, using zoom lens as it zooms in while the object moves away, emphasizing his terrified feeling and insecurity whenever he’s at a particular height due to a chronic vertigo he suffers. As always, the film director’s cameo appearance has always been fascinating since we know it’s his habit therefore we will usually let our eyes wander throughout the film, trying to spot him. In conclusion, this timeless thriller remains a classic gem despite the emergence of new modern films. The great visual effects also seem timeless when compared to digital effects. I hope my review doesn’t give you vertigo = )
I will never understand the universal adoration for Vertigo. Blindly inherited wisdom is the only explanation. How anyone could prefer this to North by Northwest or Rear Window is beyond me. An exceptionally made, exceptionally boring movie
A tense, dizzying thriller from the Master.
Plot in a nutshell: A retired detective suffering from acrophobia takes the case of an old college chum's wife, who may be possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother who committed suicide many years previous. But of course, a much darker, and more down-to-earth, secret lies beneath the surface.
Comments: James Stewart is the perfect anti-hero in this: clever and brave, but also disturbed, unhinged, and at times possessive. He does a stellar job with a difficult role.
In the supporting role of Stewart's faithful friend "Midge" is Barbara Bel Geddes, and she does a delightful job.
According to one source I've read, after Vertigo flopped upon release, Hitchcock blamed Stewart, claiming he (Stewart) was too old and people no longer wanted to see him, hence the film's lack of success. When Hitchcock went on to do North By Northwest, Stewart reportedly begged Hitchcock for the lead role, but Hitchcock refused, giving the lead to Cary Grant, who was actually four years older than Stewart.
But according to a biography of Cary Grant written by Pamela Trescott, the reason Hitchcock wanted Grant instead was simply because they worked well together and had wanted to do another collaboration after the success of To Catch a Thief. In short, that the lead role for North By Northwest had been intended for Cary Grant, and no one else, right from the beginning.
All that aside, Vertigo has established a high reputation as a masterpiece of film, and rightly so. It's also beautifully photographed, and the entire film has a soft, haunting, dreamy quality to it that's utterly captivating.
Not one of my favorites from Hitchcock, and certainly dower, but still visually striking and two amazing performances from James Stewart and Kim Novak. This is only the second time seeing this, guessing the last time was maybe 10 years ago or so, not entirely sure when I'll revisit it. **3.75/5**
Perhaps it’s due to my dislike for the overrated “North By Northwest”, but as of now this is my favourite Hitchcock.
Cast & Crew of
Vertigo
Cast
... Det. John 'Scottie' Ferguson
... Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
... Marjorie 'Midge' Wood
... Gavin Elster
... Coroner
... Scottie's Doctor
... Manager of McKittrick Hotel
... Pop Leibel
... Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine
... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
... Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited)
... Priest (uncredited)
... Nun (uncredited)
... Older Mistaken Identity (uncredited)
... Salesman (uncredited)
... Captain Hansen (uncredited)
... Burglar (uncredited)
... Policeman on Rooftop (uncredited)
... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Crew
... Costume Design
... Editor
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Original Music Composer
... Director of Photography
... Producer
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects
... Associate Producer
... Conductor
... Hair Supervisor
... Assistant Director
... Makeup Supervisor
... Sound Recordist
... Sound Recordist
... Set Decoration
... Set Decoration
... Title Designer
... Novel
... Novel
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Director
Similar Movies To
Vertigo
Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery (2014)
7.328/10
The mystery begins when Shaggy and Scooby win tickets to "WrestleMania" and convince the crew to go with them to WWE City. But this city harbors a spooky secret - a ghastly Ghost Bear holds the town in his terrifying grip! To protect the coveted WWE Championship Title, the gang gets help from WWE Superstars like John Cena, Triple H, Sin Cara, Brodus Clay, AJ Lee, The Miz and Kane. Watch Scooby and the gang grapple with solving this case before it's too late.
Release: 2014-03-11
An Angry Boy (2024)
3.6/10
Having escaped a sadistic cult as a child, Owen must confront his past as his tormentors enter his new life. This time there's no escaping for anyone.
Release: 2024-06-07
Donnie Darko (2001)
7.761/10
After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.
Release: 2001-01-19
Blade Runner (1982)
7.935/10
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
Release: 1982-06-25
Before Sunset (2004)
7.804/10
Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more.
Release: 2004-06-16
Slice of Life (2019)
9.1/10
Story about a low-life drug dealer who tries to turn his life around, but finds himself at the mercy of fate when he encounters a cop with an agenda of his own.
Release: 2019-06-09
Nasty Piece of Work (2016)
3.5/10
Nasty Piece of Work is a neo-noir thriller set in the fetish underworld of Los Angeles. The story is told from the point of view of three characters: a lifestyle dominatrix, a Buddhist stripper/saint, and a conflicted private investigator.
Release: 2016-06-01
Pikajuna pohjoiseen (1947)
4.8/10
The destinies of different kind of people encounter in a passenger train that is traveling from Helsinki to the North. One tragedy after the other appears.
Release: 1947-06-01
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
8/10
Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.
Release: 1968-04-02
Al Basha (1993)
7/10
A police officer finds himself worthless as he soon realizes there's no way he could put an end to a businessman associated with running a prostitution ring.
Release: 1993-11-01
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)
5.849/10
After her much older husband forces a move to a suburban retirement community, Pippa Lee engages in a period of reflection and finds herself heading toward a quiet nervous breakdown.
Release: 2009-07-07
Indecent Proposal (1993)
6.412/10
John Gage offers a down-on-his-luck yuppie husband $1 million for the opportunity to spend the night with the man's wife.
Release: 1993-04-07
Panic Room (2002)
6.8/10
Trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room, a hidden chamber built as a sanctuary in the event of break-ins, newly divorced Meg Altman and her young daughter Sarah play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with three intruders - Burnham, Raoul and Junior - during a brutal home invasion. But the room itself is the focal point because what the intruders really want is inside it.
Release: 2002-03-29
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
7.101/10
Two sisters return home after a stay in a mental institution, only to face disturbing events and a strained relationship with their stepmother. As eerie occurrences unfold, dark family secrets begin to surface, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.
Release: 2003-06-13
Best Seller (1987)
5.959/10
Hit man Cleve approaches writer/cop Dennis about a story for his next book: How Cleve made a living, working for one of the most powerful politicians in the country. To get the story right, they travel around the country to gather statements and evidence, while strong forces use any means they can to keep the story untold.
Release: 1987-09-25
Obsession (1976)
6.665/10
A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his late wife.
Release: 1976-08-01
Send Me No Flowers (1964)
6.8/10
When a hypochondriac assumes that he is dying, he makes an elaborate plan to ensure his wife's happiness. However, trouble ensues when she misunderstands his intentions.
Release: 1964-10-14
Hustle (1975)
5.725/10
The body of teenager Gloria Hollinger is found dead on a Los Angeles beach, and Lt. Phil Gaines is in charge of the investigation. Gaines learns that the girl, a stripper and prostitute, committed suicide, but he ignores the connection between her and a powerful mob lawyer, Leo Sellers. Hollinger's father, however, is not satisfied with Gaines's results, and attempts to investigate the case on his own.
Release: 1975-12-25
Impostor (2001)
6.13/10
A top-secret government weapons designer is arrested by a clandestine government organization on suspicion of being a clone created by the hostile alien race wanting to take over Earth.
Release: 2001-12-03