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Summary: Vertigo Captures Hitchcock at His Best!
Review: Undoubtedly. Indefinitely. No argument. "Vertigo" is Alfred Hitchcock's greatest, most imaginative movie ever produced. Some will not agree, but not many. Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart dazzle the screen in this amazing story of a detective, with a great fear of heights, who falls in love with a mysterious blond who appears to be possessed by someone dead. The story takes many unexpected twists and turns, enough to give the viewer vertigo themselves! A once again brilliant and unforgettable movie by the great Hitchcock.
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Summary: Hitchcock's Most Debateable Film
Review: Vertigo is about many things. It leaves the viewer up to perspection. Hitchcock is very unique in his vision of one man's descent into madness. James Stewart is an ex-detective, working for a friend, almost stalking his wife. Finds himself in love with the mysterious woman. Then he discovers the truth of her appearance later in the film, sending him into a frenzy. Hitchcock may be more well known for "Psycho" but his imagination expanded to new height in this very suspenseful, very tense and extraordinary drama.
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Summary: I get vertigo watching this film
Review: The film Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock is entitled this for multiple reasons. Vertigo is a state of dizziness, giddiness, or disillusionment. In the film, we can look at vertigo experienced by various characters fitting all of these descriptions. First of all, is the vertigo which comes to those who are in love, experienced by various characters. The second, most obvious instance of vertigo, is experienced by Scottie because of his acrophobia; in many instances we as an audience share in this. The third and most significant vertigo is that of the viewers; we experience it because of Hitchcock's incredible talent in mystifying audiences. If we look at vertigo as being giddiness, perhaps almost a drunken happiness then we can look at the feelings of infatuation and love as causing it. Many characters experience this vertigo in the film, in fact almost all of the major actors do. Midge has these feelings for Stewart. Stewart on the other hand is dizzy in love for Madeleine. Viewers are in love the idea of Scottie and Madeleine helping each other. The most frightening example of vertigo due to infatuation is that of Scottie and Judy in the closing scenes. Scottie has become so engrossed in Madeleine and his loss of her he gives no sense of individuality to Judy. Not even her changing her hair color is enough for him. On the other hand Judy is not thinking clearly either, she is in a state of confusion. By no means does she have to give into Scottie's commands, yet she does out of instability within herself. She needs his love, even if it is insane and not really directed towards her. Both characters are in vertigo because of unclear passions for the other. In various scenes throughout the film we are made dizzy because of the special effects and cinematography. At many of the points where Scottie feels vertigo we do too. The first is when he is looking down from his death defying situation, hanging from a rain gutter. The screen becomes blurry and disorienting and in a small part we experience what Scottie does. This happens continuously: the time when he stands on a stool and looks out the window of Midge's apartment and both of the scenes at the church as he climbs the stairs. We get a vision of acrophobia as we see the stairs almost swirling underneath Scottie. Interestingly, it is not only scenes with height involved that make us dizzy. A viewer can also have his/her mind spun in circles in some of the driving that Scottie does following Madeleine. The turns are sometimes too much to follow in that short of time. An argument can be made that viewers experience all three forms of vertigo in the movie. We fall in love with different characters and want to see them together, perhaps not even thinking clearly of the ramifications of their involvement. We are dizzied in the film physically with Scottie. Finally the very story and plot of the movie creates vertigo trying to understand it. As an audience we are taken on a roller coaster of thought. First Scottie is helping his friend follow his wife, then he has fallen in love with her, then she commits suicide only she doesn't really, it is the wife who is murdered. We find this out after a meeting with Scottie and Judy but before we understand that we see the "suicide" scene again. Unfortunately we are only further confused when the dislodging scene of her falling to her death fills the screen. We are left feeling as Scottie in a state of disarray, unable to process what we have just seen, wondering what just happened and how it happened so quickly, and most importantly, why? It is, us, the viewers that Hitchcock has placed in Vertigo both literally and figuratively.
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Summary: A High Spot on Your DVD Shelf
Review: Hitchcock's classic tale of darkly obsessive love is well presented in this special edition DVD. Beautifully restored picture and audio enhance this haunting and involving film. Since there are many critical resources available which review and examine this movie, I will suffice it to say that in my opinion, Vertigo is Hitchcock's most thoughtful and complete film. The movie's hyponotic, dreamlike atmosphere is reinforced with careful pacing--no shot is wasted as each detailed scene develops to further the story. As such, the film works on numerous levels, both real and subconcious, making subsequent viewings all the richer and enjoyable. As for the technical aspects of the DVD, I was especially impressed by the sound. While dialog is fairly soft, it is clear and ambiant sound is surprisingly impactful. Rumbling car engines and such seem unusually prevalent for an older movie. Film quality is of course excellent, owing to the extensive restoration and DVD treatment. Disc features are well implemented and should satisfy all but the most die hard enthusiasts. Overall, an excellent package of a classic film. Highly Recommended
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Summary: Don't lose your balance
Review: Vertigo is easily the best psychological thriller coming out of the Hitchcock machine. Some may think its first half slow or repetitious, but that's part of its genius; the repetition creates expectation, and Hitchcock is preparing to rip your expectations out from under your feet. The second half is pure dread. The viewer has probably already guessed what's going on, and must watch the normally upright Stewart try to make Novak into the image of the woman he loves. Never mind that she isn't her. Never mind that she's someone else completely, with her own life. And Novak, reluctantly allowing him to do it, knowing all the while that it isn't *her* he loves, but someone else. How good a pretender could she be? What would become of her real self? Poor Midge never stood a chance. She's far too straightforward for this crew. Vertigo is Hitchcock writ large -- an obsessed man judging, manipulating, always trying to make the world into the way he believes the world should be. For Stewart's character, it's getting Judy to become Madeleine. For Hitchcock, it's getting breathtaking blondes to perform precisely the way he wants. Excellent film. It works on all its levels -- as a suspense thriller, as a psychological thriller, as a commentary on human nature. And as a glimpse into the master's mind.
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Summary: Great movie, but I cannot call it Hitch's "masterpiece"
Review: There is no doubt about it: Vertigo IS one of Hitchcock's best movies, but is it his "masterpiece"? In my opinion, no it is not. It could be a matter of personal taste, but I thought Psycho, Rear Window, & North by Northwest were all better movies. I would even say that Strangers on a Train is a better movie than Vertigo. Don't misunderstand me, this is a great movie and if you're any kind of a movie fan, I suggest that you get it as soon as you possibly can. It's just my opinion that there are better, more entertaining Hitchcock movies out there. As far as the film's presentation on DVD is concerned, I was extremely impressed. It was hard for me to believe that the movie is as old as it is when watching it. If you have a DVD player and opt for the VHS version, you are really doing yourself (and the movie) a great injustice. Of course, this applies to almost any movie that is available on both DVD & VHS
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Summary: hitchcock = genius
Review: in the spirit of all great hitchcock movies there's wonderful direction, acting, writing, cinematography, editing. a great thriller that would almost never be matched by any other director except hitchcock himself. the saul bass title and animation sequences are magnificent
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Summary: Really good
Review: but a little melodramatic at times. It was a little different from the Master's style, but It was still excellent and directors should change their style every now and then. The story is one-of-a-kind.
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Summary: The greatest thriller ever made
Review: The Master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, presents his most discussed, controversial, personal, but also best work with Vertigo, a perfectly timed and perfectly crafted film filled with Hitch's usual great cliche's and characters of fear and dispair. Jimmy Stewart, in one of his finest roles, plays a retired detective, hired to follow an old school mates wife. Unfortunately, he falls in love with her, and that's just the beginning of this spinning, twisting and spectaculary awesome suspenser with falling from heights being used to great use and Bernard Hermann's score being equally memorable. Must, must, must see.
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Summary: Don't look down!
Review: Vertigo is one of those rare films that runs on atmosphere. This film pushes you into a a world of murder, lust, lies and a dream like state so real It's as if everything around you disappears and you're in a dream and not watching a flick at all. Stewart is Ferguson a cop who is afraid of heights after he watches his partner fall to his death while they chase a suspect, after this he retires and then is hired to watch over a friends sucidial wife (Novak) who he comforts after she throws herself into San Fransico bay! When the wife dies suddenly Stewart is left heartbroken and finds a new love who reminds him of th egirl he lost. The film pushes into overdrive but in a subdued and calm manner. Vertigo is pure cinema at it's most daunting and magical. Not for a second do you believe anything that is happening on the screen. If someone was to tell you this story over the phone you would probably laugh till you wet your pants-but have you ever had dreams where the same person vists you over and over again or a case of deja-vu, then this film isn't so funny anymore. Hitchcock takes these elements of illusion and throws them at us one after another for the entire film. Stewart is brilliant the drawl in his voice underlies his paranoia perfectly and Novak shines as an uneven object of desire. Novak gives the best performance of her carreer. Vertigo leaves you spun and weak after each viewing because to watch it, a little bit of you has to belive what is going on and you have to just let go and fall into the film's premise and if you are afraid to do so-well then you have the flick Vertigo my friend!
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