Vertigo

Director:
Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:
Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor

Cast:
Jimmy Stewart as John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson
Kim Novak as Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton

Released: 1958
Studio: Paramount
Box Office: $7,311,013

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Score: 8.6

Date Seen: August 2, 2009
Format: Netflix Instant View

Alfred Hitchcock is the undisputed “Master of Suspense.” Veritigo is considered one of his best films, but it was hard for me to figure out what I thought about it. I have seen very few films made prior to 1970, so I am used to the technical advances made in film making during that time. That makes it very hard for me to grasp how truly innovative this movie was during its time. My favorite shots were the ones that showed the vertigo when John looked down for heights and the camera kind of warped to give the impression that the heights suddenly got much larger.

It is the story of a retired detective that suffers from vertigo from an experience losing a colleague on the job. He is hired to follow the wife of a friend. The friend suspects she has been possessed by the ghost of a woman who died many years ago and is now reliving her life. After saving her from drowning, John starts to fall in love with her. She starts to fall in love with him too. He can’t save her from throwing herself off the top of a clock tower, but with Hitchcock, that is not the end of the story. This film had so many plot twists and turns, that I had no idea how it would end until the very last second. That is accredited to a great director working with a great script. I wish modern films would be made like this.

So taking this film as it is, as a movie made in the 1950s, I have to say that it is one of the best films that I have ever seen. I was thoroughly intrigued by the story and the acting was top notch. (Note to self: watch more movies with Jimmy Stewart.)

Vertigo is listed as number 9 in AFI’s 100 Greatest Films.

Favorite Performance:
Jimmy Stewart as John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson

Favorite Quote:
Scottie: And then what did he do? Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you exactly what to do, what to say? You were a very apt pupil too, weren’t you? You were a very apt pupil! Well, why did you pick on me? Why me?

Grade:
A

Recommendation:
If you are interested in seeing classic films, then this is a good one to start.