Vertigo is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most popular and critically acclaimed films, though at the time of its release in 1958 it didn’t meet with the same success it would later grow to have. It stars James Stewart, popular Hollywood actor and Hitchcock veteran, alongside Kim Novak.

Newly-retired detective John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson (Stewart), who has a fear of heights, is hired by an old friend to follow his wife Madeleine (Novak), who is feared to be mentally unstable. When Scottie saves Madeleine after she apparently attempts suicide, the two grow closer, but is he able to save her from herself?

It’s hard to say much more about the film without giving the story away. I knew almost nothing about the storyline when I first watched it, and was shocked and surprised by the twists and turns. Many of the happenings in the film are extremely unexpected. Having said that, this certainly isn’t one of those films you watch once and never see again since you know the story. Vertigo is a film about obsession and madness, and there’s always something new to find in it.

The acting in the film is excellent. James Stewart is great as an ordinary man obsessed with a beautiful and mysterious woman. In particular the scenes towards the end of the film when he is trying to recreate his obsession are compelling to watch. Kim Novak is an actress I haven’t seen in anything else, but in the film she does a fantastic job as the beautiful, troubled but cold Madeleine; again, her performance stands out when you take into account the latter half of the film. I do find that sometimes actors in older films are rather exaggerated in their performances on occasion (compared to today’s acclaimed actors who are often more subtle), and Vertigo is no exception. However I may be alone in thinking this.

There aren’t many supporting actors in this film, and most of them only have a couple of scenes anyway. Barbara Bel Geddes (who later went on to have a significant role in Dallas) has the most prominent supporting role, as Scottie’s friend and ex-fiance who still holds a torch for him. It does annoy me that she has to wear a big pair of glasses – just in case anyone is under any illusion that she might be the leading lady. Would it kill somebody to put glasses on the female lead?! As a glasses and contact lens wearer this is one of my pet peeves, but to be perfectly honest it doesn’t detract from the film.

The musical score by Bernard Herrmann is also a highlight: the music relates to the action on screen, and is haunting and atmospheric without getting in the way. There is also some excellent use of classical music including Mozart.

The film is beautifully shot on location in San Francisco, with stunning views of the hills, famous buildings and landmarks. I’ve never been to America, but if I went I would have to go to San Francisco – this is a direct result of the film. The special effects are pretty impressive for the time – when Scottie is on the roof at the start of the film it’s fairly obvious there’s a backdrop, but later at the Mission the white tower – which is actually a painting – is very realistic and I had no idea it wasn’t real until I watched the documentary!

I’ve seen quite a few Hitchcock films and Vertigo is one of my favourites. It’s original, inventive and compelling, and continually mysterious. It’s a mark of how good the film is that even though the mystery is revealed just over halfway through, the film still remains gripping. In fact, in my opinion the second half is the most uncomfortable and unsettling with Scottie becoming ever more obsessed and controlling. A brilliant film that I’m sure I’ll watch again and again.

Thorough, engrossing mystery-crime love story from the master, I hadn’t expected to like the restored version of Vertigo, but here we are, and I’m a verified fan. Stewart and Nowak, and Hitchcock are as relevant today, possibly even more so than the dozens of thin-plot, weak-story, awful-direction thrillers that have clogged cinemas in the last 50+ years.

See also: http://www.outtraveler.com/features.asp?did=299

i had rented this from netflix about 5 months ago. it was in my queue merely for the fact it was a movie i felt i must see. i thought it was going to be in black and white and i just wasn’t in the mood. after getting yet another charge to my credit card and having the same 3 movies still, i decided either to watch them this week or return them. this was the longest of the 3 so it was the first up. to my surprise the movie was in color. it’s been an interesting movie going experience. i felt the movie was a little oppressive, almost making me feel “heavy” at times. midge was the answer to this “heaviness” for me. i was confused and disappointed she disappeared near the end. i was completely thrown when the twist was enacted. i absolutely loved the colors when judy emerged from the bathroom after scotty had transformed her into madeline. the sea-foam green was beautiful and i liked how ethereal it seemed. i’m glad i watched it but won’t be in a rush to see it again.

The movie is long, dull, and boring. There are occasional bits that intrigue, but most of the time I was bored waiting for something exciting to happen.

I just got back from seeing Vertigo on a big screen at The National Film Theatre in London, I’ve seen it so many times over the years, and every time I’m astounded by the madness at the heart of the film. How did such a strange film work its way into the mainstream? Either way, I’m glad it did.

Everything, from the colour schemes, the directorial techniques, the glacial Kim Novak and the use of San Francisco as a backdrop to a parade of mentally ill and tragically fragile characters, makes Vertigo worthy of two hours of your time.

You’ll believe that a man can love a dead girl.