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Summary: Hitchcock's most humane and compassionate movie
Review: We all know the storyline: boy meets girl, boy loves girl, girl's possessed by the spirit of a dead woman. First thing I noticed was in the credits, the image of the spiral in the woman's eye. The spiral does more than simply suggest the dizziness of the vertigo, it is the foundational image of which the entire picture is based on. Look at the winding staircase of the mission, the twists and turns of the cemetery walk, the spiraling hair in the portrait of Carlotta Valdes (and in imitation of that, Madeline's and Judy's), the spiraling journey of the two cars, the rings on the sequoia tree, and the camera's encircling of Judy during the letter writing scene. All these create and sustain the condition of vertigo which our poor friend Scottie suffers. The opening scene establishes the entire premise of the film, namely the pursuit of an unknown person we never see again. Also note in that scene the flashing green and red lights. These link Madeline and Scottie; the stop/go bipolarity is vertiginous itself. This symbolism is also noted in Madeline's green stole on red walls, Scottie in a green sweater and Madeline in a green robe, and Judy's red hair and green dress. What is even more ironic is that green light in the wonderful world of theatre is used to indicate the presence of ghosts. Vertigo is unsentimental, yet compassionate, a statement of faith in what cannot be-but must be true. (Also look for Hitchcock's trademark cameo appearance as a person carrying a trumpet case boarding a train.)
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Summary: Most discussed? Try most overrated.
Review: This is a good movie, although you wont have enough fingers to count it's flaws. It is just not as good as people have made it out to be. To be honest, my biggest problem with this film is Jimmy Stewart. Rear Window is the only movie I have ever been able to tolerate him in. The only actor worse than Jimmy Stewart is John Wayne. Harrison Ford would have been the perfect choice for the lead... had he not been 16 at the time. Soak up some other Hitch movies before viewing this one. I think his best are Strangers on a Train, Psycho, Rear Window, The Lady Vanishes, The 39 Steps, and Rebecca.
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Summary: The greatest film of all time. End of discussion.
Review: A truly amazing film. Nobody does suspense like Hitchcock.While many people feel that this film is dated and not as relevant as his other works, those who truly appreciate excellent writing and cinematography would have this movie at the top of thier lists. Hitchcock's use of color to accentuate certain scenes is incredibly well placed. It is definately Hotchcock's most personal work, as he inserts a lot of his own obsessions into the architecture of the movie. The score by Herrmann is probably his best work. I can remember seeing this film when i was much younger at its re-release a few years back, and being emotionally moved at the ending. The gut-wrenching and the 'haunting' quality of this film are amazing. In my mind, it gives the city of San Francisco a very mysterious connotation, and everytime I visit there, I seek out some of the locations that were used in the film. On many different levels, this film elevates itself above all others, and approaches perfection on a scale that few other filmmakers have ever attempted to reach. As a side note, the companion book written by Dan Auiler is an excellent read and puts the film in its historical place.
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Summary: "Vertigo" Hitchock's Masterpiece of Obsession and Tragedy
Review: Hitchcock's ability to keep the viewer off edge and in a constant puzzlement as to what is going on before them on the screen has never been so finely honed. The story unfolds methodically and is best viewed without interference as each scene has some profound meaning. It isn't just a suspense mystery, it is a psychological study of the interaction of real people. The cinematography is full of subtle and compelling effects that on first viewing establish a mood and entice one's imagination into believing that anything is possible. The performances are excellent as Hitchcock has drawn out each character with elements of introspection that belie falseness. Novak is icy and mysterious, while Stewart is obsessive and foolish. They seemed to all be trapped in the tragedy unfolding. The element of fate is so permeated with metaphysical elements that it is chilling to the soul. Hitchcock has one believing by the time the two lovers are isolated in the giant redwoods that they are star-crossed and everything will turn out well. Oh, but one has forgotten Hitchcock's favorite set-up, that things are not as they seem.
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Summary: Vertigo can become an obsession
Review: Vertigo is Hitchcock's finest film. One reason for this is that it is not a film that can be fully understood on an initial viewing. Some may see this as a fault, may say that it shows that the film is poorly plotted, but I would argue, it rather shows that the plot has depth, nuances and subtleties that require thought from the viewer. With many works of suspense something is lost once the story is known. If all there is to the story is the question of who killed who, there may be some fun in the initial finding out, but not much afterwards. With Vertigo it is otherwise, for there is a great deal left to find out. When I first saw it, I thought the story full of holes. I enjoyed the acting and the interesting characters, but the story did not make a lot of sense and seemed implausible. However, I was intrigued by the film and gradually after repeated viewings the plot began to make more and more sense. Hitchcock does not spell everything out, there are some points left unexplained and thus the viewer has to use some imagination, but this shows that he was making a film that was not readily disposable. It is for this reason that Vertigo's reputation continues to grow. The DVD shows the fully restored Vertigo and it looks wonderful. It is particularly fine to able to see the film in its original Vistavision aspect ratio. Also included on the DVD are a large number of extra features which make the viewing experience more rewarding. Finally I should mention that for those who become 'obsessed with Vertigo' it is well worth reading the novel on which the film is based. It is called D'Entre Les Morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac and is published in the UK under the title Vertigo.
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Summary: Simply the Best of Hitchcock's Magic
Review: I like Vertigo from head to tail. It is a classic to start with, with a perfect performance from James Stewart. I think he should win an Oscar for his performance as the ex-cop turning detective who falls madly in love with the wife of his client. The second great thing is its surrealist mood created by Hitcock which turn the film like a painting by Dali. The odd angle of shooting the scenery. The mysterious mood. The perfect dress and hairdo of Kim Novak in the scene of her looking at a painting of herself is just daunting. Then the music score is good too. I especially the music when James Stewart climbs up the ladder leading to the bell of the church tower which now I believe has become one of the most mememorable scenes in history of motion picture. Kim Novak is also the perfect woman for the female lead. She is a combination of beauty and evil. A woman you will fall madly in love with and lose all your mind. You can't blame James Stewart for commiting such a crime in falling in love with the woman who treat her. This is the film that Alfred Hitcock proved himself a suspense master and one of the greatest film directors for all time. I always compare it with the other films by Hitchcock such as Psycho, Birds, North by North West and Rear Window. They are also outcompeted as Vertigo simply is the best. Psycho is too shallow and with too much violence. Birds is too full of birds - a symbol of Hitchcock's dislike and mad attack of women. All the female characters, if you look deeper, are disgusting ones. While Rear Window is obsessed with so much voyeurism. But for Vertigo, it has brought out the beauty and the evil of womanhood - perhaps a view all men share in the deepest dark side. It reveals Hitchcock's talents for the art of movie, for suspicion, for intrigue and a cyncial view of the human race who are always full of guilt, confusion and self-torment. It brings out in you the human psyche for crime, for lust as well as for obsession. I find it actual a prototype of S & M film, except in a very subtle way. It brings out all the dark side of Hitchcock and the best of his magic. Don't miss it.
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Summary: Innovative and Impeccable Restoration into the Human Psyche
Review: The newly restored version of Vertigo is a very impressive accomplishment of time and devotion. It never looked or sounded better. I prefer the Dolby Surround sound on the widescreen tape to the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound on the DVD. The Dolby Surround has more ambient effect and the rear channels have more sound emanating from them. However, the VHS picture can not compare to the high quality image of the DVD. This is Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece for sure. Solidly told and acted it manages to intertwine a very intriguing plot with the delicate emotional manipulation of its main characters, which explores the fragile nature of the human psyche.
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Summary: Classic Hitchcock film - Outstanding DVD
Review: This is not my favourate Hitchcock film, but it's certainly in my top ten. Personally I find it difficult to get too involved in the film, or to empathise with the main characters. For many though (including critics), this is seen as his best work, and the "most hitchcock" of all his movies. Vertigo is also one of Hitchcock's best known films, and should be seen by anyone interested in his work or interested in classic American movies in general. It features a great performance by James Stewart, who starred in a number of Hitch's films. The film also features a fantastic score by another frequent Hitch collaborator, Bernard Hermann (if only there was a music track only option on this DVD). Vertigo is also famous for the effect used to give the feeling of vertigo; zooming in while reverse tracking, a device Hitchcock used in a number of films. Universal have taken this classic and made it into an absolutely fabulous DVD. A few years ago, the film underwent a long and expensive period of restoration prior to being re-released in the cinemas. The DVD of course features the newly-restored print of the film. In addition the DVD features a great commentary track with the restoration team (Robert A Harris and James C Katz) together with associate producer Herbert Coleman. However, for me the best extra on the DVD has to be the superb documentary "Obsessed with Vertigo" which runs for 29 minutes. It features lots of information and interviews. If you're interested in Hitchcock or like studying classic films and film techniques, then this DVD with all it's extras is a must-buy. However, if you're new to Hitchcock, you may want to try some of his other films first, like North by Northwest.
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Summary: Incredible performances by all of cast and Hitchcock!
Review: It is most likely Hitch's masterpiece! Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak have hypnotically wonderful performances. Two of the best performances for both actors. It is a must have if you are a Hitchcock fan and Stewart fan!
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Summary: Breathtaking
Review: One of Hitchcock's greatest films stars James Stewart as a retired San Francisco detective hired by a friend to trail his wife (Kim Novak) whose recent behavior has been erratic. Excellent performances by Stewart, the beautiful Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes along with wonderful California scenery make this a classic that gets better with age. Don't miss this one!
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