ranking item image

Vertigo

Movie

About

Vertigo is a 1958 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel D'entre les morts by Boileau-Narcejac. The film follows John "Scottie" Ferguson, a retired San Francisco police detective, who suffers from acrophobia and vertigo after a traumatic incident. He is hired by an old acquaintance, Gavin Elster, to investigate his wife Madeleine, who appears to be possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother, Carlotta Valdes. As Scottie delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes entangled in a complex web of deception and obsession. The film is renowned for its innovative cinematography, particularly the "dolly zoom" technique used to convey Scottie's vertigo. Hitchcock's mastery of suspense and psychological exploration makes Vertigo a timeless classic. The movie's themes of obsession, identity, and the blurring of reality are central to its enduring appeal. Despite initial mixed reviews, Vertigo has been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time, celebrated for its intricate plot and Hitchcock's direction. It has influenced numerous other films and remains a staple of cinematic history.