Vertigo (1958)

Rating Vertigo as one of the three best ever films Time Out describes it as “brilliant… totally compelling”

“genuinely great motion picture that demands multiple viewings” Maltin’s

“inspired classic – a masterpiece” Blockbuster Video

“demanding of multiple viewings” Virgin

In the mid-1980s, the London Times celebrated 100 years of filmmaking by inviting the world’s top film critics for a seminar. After a long debate, the gathered pundits of cinema agreed that the greatest film ever made was – not Citizen Kane – but Vertigo.

I felt deeply vindicated as from the day I saw Vertigo; I was convinced that it was the most complete film that I had ever seen. It had flawless acting by its main players – James Stewart (The detective) and Kim Novak (Madeleine) – as also from its supporting actors like Barbara Bel Geddes, (Tom Helmore) and Tom Jones (the Coroner). The camera work is haunting, while the story is full of suspense and unbelievable twists. Interwoven into this superb mix are the moral issues of guilt, human failing, obsession and redemption.

Vertigo is Hitchcock’s masterpiece and the apogee of this great director’s lifetime’s work in cinema. The idea of filming Vertigo was initially planted, rather cleverly, on Hitchcock by the French thriller writers Boileau and Narcejac, who had just completed a remarkable coup in filming “Les Diaboliques”.

Hitchcock took on the script initially called “D’entre les morts”. (From The Dead), turned it over and finally gave it his own imprint. Originally, Hitchcock had selected Vera Miles for the lead role, but she became pregnant, and Hitchcock had to accept, somewhat reluctantly, Kim Novak, who at the time, aspired to be a star rather than an actress. Every item in the script, from the brilliant musical score to the locations and the great credits were carefully supervised by Hitchcock.

Eventually, when the film appeared, it received only guarded acclaim from the critics. Then, as months passed, it was recognized for its actual worth and critics began to see it as one of the greatest films in cinema history. Kim Novak was lustrous as Madeleine; some say she did not act but allowed Hitch to reveal her inner persona. James Stewart was superb as the tortured, guilt-ridden detective, and the whole movie’s ambience leaves imprints on the mind that are unforgettable.

Perhaps the most incredible single shot in cinema history is the image of James Stewart standing at the top of the Church tower looking down on the tiled roof of the church where Madeleine has jumped to her suicide. In contrast, in the church courtyard, two nuns pass serenely with their rosaries -the silence is broken only by the sound of the church bells.

To the avid Hitchcock fan, other images of Vertigo like Ernie’s restaurant, McKittrick’s Hotel (which alas is no more), the Golden Gate bridge, the flower shop, the Coroner’s devastating interventions, the Sequoia trees, St. Ermine’s Hotel with its turgid green lights – are part of a film that is Hitchcock’s greatest. No serious filmgoer should ever miss seeing this film.