Vertigo is a 1958 American psychological thriller film directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock. The story was based on the 1954 novel "D'entre les morts" (From Among the Dead) by Boileau-Narcejac. It stars James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson, a former police detective who becomes obsessed with a woman named Madeleine Elster, played by Kim Novak.
The film has had a significant influence on other films, including "One on Top of the Other," "Obsession," "Body Double," and "High Anxiety". Although "Vertigo" received a lukewarm reception upon its release, it is now commonly ranked among the greatest movies ever made.
Vertigo is noted for its groundbreaking camera techniques to simulate the sensation of vertigo. The film was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, written by Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor, and features music by Bernard Herrmann.
The film is known for its complex themes, including obsession, manipulation, and the male gaze. It is considered a masterpiece of psychological thriller cinema and is widely regarded as one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films.
Plot
Vertigo is a psychological thriller film that tells the story of John "Scottie" Ferguson, a former police detective who suffers from acrophobia (fear of heights). The plot of the film is complex and involves a murder scheme that Scottie becomes entangled in.
Scottie is hired by an old friend, Gavin Elster, to follow his wife, Madeleine, who he believes is possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother, Carlotta Valdes. Scottie follows Madeleine around San Francisco and becomes obsessed with her. He saves her from drowning in San Francisco Bay and they begin to fall in love.
Madeleine takes Scottie to the Mission San Juan Bautista, where she believes she is possessed by Carlotta's spirit. Scottie becomes increasingly disturbed by her behavior. Madeleine runs up the bell tower of a nearby church and jumps to her death. Scottie is unable to save her due to his acrophobia.
Scottie becomes depressed and is institutionalized. He is released and meets a woman named Judy who looks exactly like Madeleine. He becomes obsessed with transforming her into Madeleine. Scottie discovers that Judy was actually pretending to be Madeleine as part of a murder scheme orchestrated by Gavin Elster. He confronts Judy at the top of the bell tower and she falls to her death.
A colleague falls to his death in an attempt to rescue Scottie as he looks on in horror. In the apartment of his ex-fiancée, Scottie and Midge discuss his experience and the film ends.
Trailer
Cast
Main Cast:
- James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson
- Kim Novak as Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
- Barbara Bel Geddes as Marjorie "Midge" Wood
- Tom Helmore as Gavin Elster
Supporting Cast:
- Henry Jones as Coroner
- Raymond Bailey as Scottie's Doctor
- Ellen Corby as Manager of McKittrick Hotel
- Konstantin Shayne as Bookstore Owner Pop Leibel
- Lee Patrick as Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine
- Marjorie Bennett as Shopkeeper
- Virginia Gregg as Flower Shop Vendor
- Patrick McVey as Ernie's Restaurant Owner
- Alfred Hitchcock (uncredited) as Man Walking Past Madeleine in Tailor Shop
Minor Roles:
- Isabel Analla (uncredited)
- Margaret Bacon (uncredited)
- Danny Borzage (uncredited)
- Paul Bryar (uncredited)
- Steve Conte (uncredited)
- Bruno Della Santina (uncredited)
- Harry Denny (uncredited)
- Bess Flowers (uncredited)
- Joe Garcio (uncredited)
- Kenneth Gibson (uncredited)
- Roland Gotti (uncredited)
- Fred Graham (uncredited)
- Buck Harrington (uncredited)
- Jimmie Horan (uncredited)
- Catherine Howard (uncredited)
- Perk Lazelle (uncredited)
- Miliza Milo (uncredited)
- Forbes Murray (uncredited)
- Ezelle Poule (uncredited)
- William Remick (uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre (uncredited)
- Dori Simmons (uncredited)
This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes all the major and most notable cast members in the film.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Samuel A. Taylor, Alec Coppel
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Box Office (Gross USA): $7,798,146
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1958
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1996
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 2, 2015