Yes, my Hitchcock week has become more of a Hitchcock couple of months, and here we have yet another of his most famous and best-loved films: Vertigo. Starring James Stewart from Rear Window and Kim Novak as his obligatory mysterious love interest, this is another romance/ psychological drama/ ... Read review
Set in San Francisco James Stewart portrays an acrophobic detective hired to trail a ... more
friend's suicidal wife (Kim Novak). After he successfully rescues her from a leap into the bay he finds himself becoming obsessed with the beautifully troubled woman. One of cinema's most chilling romantic endeavours: its fascinating myriad of haunting camera angles shot among some of San Francisco's renowned landmarks.
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Considered by many to be director Alfred Hitchcock's greatest achievement comes this fully ... more
restored and remastered version of the haunting film classic. This special release also contains a restoration trailer and revealing documentary footage a must for collectors. Set in San Francisco James Stewart portrays and acrophobic detective hired to trail a friend's suicidal wife (Novak). After he successfully rescues her from a leap into the bay he finds himself becoming obsessed with the beautiful and troubled woman...
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Although it wasn't a box-office success when originally released in 1958,Vertigohas since ... more
taken its deserved place as Alfred Hitchcock's greatest, most spellbinding, most deeply personal achievement. In fact, it consistently ranks among the top 10 movies ever made in the once-a-decade Sight&Sound international critics poll, placing at number 4 in the most recent survey. (Universal Pictures' spectacularly gorgeous 1996 restoration and rerelease of this 1958 Paramount production was a tremendous success with the public, too.) James Stewart plays a retired police detective who is hired by an old friend to follow his wife (a superb Kim Novak, in what becomes a double role), whom he suspects of being possessed by the spirit of a dead madwoman. The detective and the disturbed woman fall ("fall" is indeed the operative word) in love and...well, to give away any more of the story would be criminal. Shot around San Francisco (the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of the Legion of Honor are significant locations) and elsewhere in Northern California (the redwoods, Mission San Juan Batista) in rapturous Technicolor,Vertigois as lovely as it is haunting. --Jim Emerson
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Dreamlike and nightmarishly surreal,Vertigois Hitchcock's most personal film because it ... more
confronts many of the convoluted psychological issues that haunted and fascinated the director. The psychological complexity and the stark truthfulness of their rampant emotions keeps these strangely obsessive characters alive on screen, and Hitchcock understood better than most their barely repressed sexual compulsions, their fascination with death and their almost overwhelming desire for transcendent love. James Stewart finds profound and disturbing new depths in his psyche as Scotty,the tortured acrophobic detective on the trail of a suicidal woman apparently possessed by the ghost of someone long dead. Kim Novak is the classical Hitchcockian blonde whose icy exterior conceals a churning, volcanic emotional core. The agonised romance of Bernard Herrmann's score accompanies the two actors as a third and vitally important character, moving the film along to its culmination in an ecstasy of Wagnerian tragedy. Of course Hitch lavished especial care on every aspect of the production, from designer Edith Head's costumes (he, like Scotty, was most insistent on the grey dress), to the specific colour scheme of each location, to the famous reverse zoom "Vertigo" effect (much imitated, never bettered). The result is Hitch's greatest work and an undisputed landmark of cinema history.On the DVD:This disc presents the superb restored print of this film in a wonderful widescreen (1.85:1) anamorphic transfer, with remastered Dolby digital soundtrack. There's a half-hour documentary made in 1996 about the painstaking two-year restoration process, plus an informative commentary from the restorers Robert Harris and James Katz, who are joined by original producer Herbert Coleman. There are also text features on the production, cast and crew, plus a trailer for the theatrical release of the restoration. This is an undeniably essential requirement for every DVD collection. --Mark Walker
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Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Advantages: Unbearably suspenseful, great music Disadvantages: Quite a big twist to take in
...
The plot of Vertigo is quite simple in essence, even if it is a little strange and implausible, and everyone knows that the simpler premises are always the best. Vertigo only really has about four characters, and this means that it is virtually impossible to get lost in the sub-plots (there aren't any). However, it does require you to believe an extremely "everything-you've-just-seen-is-false" kind of twist. If you have no problems ... ...this.
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Vertigo is available to buy online for £5.99 from www.moviemail-online.co.uk.
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones
Running Time: 128 minutes
Classification: PG
... more
Yes, my Hitchcock week has become more of a Hitchcock couple of months, and here we have yet another of his most famous and best-loved films: Vertigo. Starring James Stewart from Rear Window and Kim Novak as his obligatory mysterious love interest, this is another romance/ psychological drama/ thriller, but with a twist.
The story tells of John "Scotty" Ferguson, a policeman who if forced to quit after watching his partner fall to his death, and subsequently suffers from a fear of heights. He is given the task of following Madeleine (Kim Novak), whose husband is sure that she is possessed by the ghost of her great grandmother. As he tracks her around the streets of San Francisco, he begins to piece together her mysterious ways, and thinks that her inner demons are forcing her to commit suicide. However, when his fear of heights allows Madeleine the opportunity to kill herself by jumping off a bell tower, Scotty's life becomes even more complicated.
From the opening credits the viewer is treated to something unexpected, unusual and considerably psychedelic. As the names of its stars appear on the screen, we see a face. Each time a new name comes on, the camera zooms in, until we are zoomed right into the eye of the face. The eye then goes all funky, with crazy coloured spirograph-style swirls in the background. (Well, it was the sixties) This may not sound like much, but it's a great way to start the film and gets you thinking from the word go, and combined with a truly mysterious score it forms a perfect start to the film.
The plot of Vertigo is quite simple in essence, even if it is a little strange and implausible, and everyone knows that the simpler premises are always the best. Vertigo only really has about four characters, and this means that it is virtually impossible to get lost in the sub-plots (there aren't any). However, it does require you to believe an extremely "everything-you've-just-seen-is-false" kind of twist. If you have no problems with this, you're in for a treat. Speaking of twists, the ending of this film is truly unexpected and quite creepy in its own way, although I won't say any more about that...
It struck me part way through that there is very little dialogue, especially in the first half and hour of the film, as much of it is simply Scotty following Madeleine around San Francisco and spying on her. These parts are very tense and mysterious, especially a part when they are in a church garden. The brightly coloured flowers and spooky music combine to make a really eerie atmosphere. Bernard Herrmann's music score which accompanies this film is really fantastic: it's strange and mysterious, and it'll be going round in your head for a while afterwards.
The acting from the two leads is great too. James Stewart is suitably confused throughout the whole adventure, and Kim Novak boasts some of the most bizarre eyebrows ever captured on celluloid. She was the star of the show for me; her character hardly speaks for the first half hour or so, but she is very weird whilst being possessed, and her complete reversal in the last half an hour is extremely well done.
Hitchcock's direction is as great as always. He builds up the tension very slowly (like Rear Window, some may find it too slow to start with) and the way he lets the audience know the secrets without Scotty finding out makes it very exciting indeed. There are the usual bizarre camera angles, good use of local features (the golden gate bridge makes a few notable appearances), and the technique of looking over the edge of stairs and making the bottom zoom away from the camera is really effective.
If there were any complaints I had about this film, the main one was Scotty's nightmare sequence. In 1958, when this was made, the standard of special effects was much lower than today, and this part really hasn't aged well. I also thought that at some parts it was in danger of becoming too romantic and cheesy as in some of his earlier films (see suspicion for that), but in the end Hitchcock managed to keep this under control and it was definitely a psychological thriller more than anything. There weren't really any other faults.
As you may have guessed from my glowing review, I really liked this film. It's not this celebrated and voted number 36 on IMDb for nothing you know. Although it has lots of themes and ideas which have been discussed over and over again, at heart it's just a really intriguing thriller, with twists that you won't see coming, great acting and brilliant music. Fans of Hitchcock's other films, or those who just want to be gripped and drawn into a world of mystery for a couple of hours, simply have to watch this. _________________________________________
Vertigo is available to buy online for £5.99 from www.moviemail-online.co.uk.
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones Running Time: 128 minutes Classification: PG
Advantages: One of Hitchcock's best Disadvantages: Minor plot holes
Vertigo is a pretty famous Alfred Hitchcock film. It was released in 1958 and starred James Stewart and Kim Novak with support from Barbara Bel Geddes (who went on to famously play Miss Ellie Ewing in Dallas for a decade or so) and Tom Helmore.
John Ferguson (Scottie) is a retired police officer who developed vertigo during a chase when a colleague fell to his death from a rooftop. He has severe vertigo and it causes some complications in his life ... ...mission and because of his vertigo Scottie is unable to save her and is consumed with guilt. Sometime later Scottie spots a woman called Judy who looks a lot like Madeline and starts to date her. He then starts to suspect that they are one and the same woman but how can this be? Madeline was elegant and refined whereas Judy is coarse and somewhat vulgar. What is the truth behind Scottie's confused thoughts? Can he trust his once sound judgment to ...
anonymili 07.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
Advantages: vintage Hitchcock, suspenseful, enigmatic Disadvantages: some scenes seem dated, though I don't mind
Vertigo (1958) stars James Stewart as John Ferguson, known as Scottie to his acquaintances, a retired San Francisco detective. Scottie retired from the force after a rooftop scene in which a colleague of his died, the trauma and guilt leaving Scottie with a bad case of vertigo. A man of independent means, he spends his days doing next to nothing but chatting away the hours with his best mate and former date, Midge.
Scottie is brought out of his ... ...complexity, mystery and suspense. Vertigo is one of Hitchcock's most suspenseful movies, and we are kept hooked by this throughout. Will Madeleine and Scottie be discovered? Will Scottie manage to keep Madeleine alive? At times it really is edge-of-the-seat stuff, while at other times we are immersed in trying to figure out for ourselves just what is going on in Madeleine's psyche.
When watching any Hitchcock film, it is important to remember the ...
sandrabarber 25.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
Advantages: James Stewart as genteel middle aged obsessive, compulsive viewing Disadvantages: Requires repeated viewings, may be slow and dated to some
...are ingeniously effective. The famous Vertigo camera shot is totally unlike anything you’ll see in movies of the period, whilst Scottie’s dream sequence will make your jaw drop with its graphic unsettlingness. The backdrops have a fantastic pulp comic look about them, the chase scene at the film’s start is set against the San Francisco skyline at night – high impact and attention grabbing. Casting wise the director coaxed a career defining moment ... ...stories with a twist so Vertigo seems extremely formulaic today. It seems slow and ponderous too – modern audiences have become accustomed to breakneck speed, plenty of thrills and spills. This film is far too subtle for that and may pass the individual with a short attention span by. Nonetheless is stands out for me as being thought provoking and ingeniously clever, unlike anything else of the time. Go watch it. ...
chunlex 31.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
Advantages: Collectors Edition it has some great extras Disadvantages: They don't make films like it anymore
...****************************
* Obsessed With Vertigo Featurette *
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Here is a 29-minute featurette with behind the scenes footage and in-depth views from the people behind the whole restoration process, this is a superb feature that really makes you appreciate the films due to the fact that we nearly lost this classic piece.
The feature includes interviews with Martin Scorsese, Pat Hitchcock (Alfred’s Daughter), ... ...has news on the post Vertigo years, it is a real interesting read and a brilliant gift for any film lover out there.
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* Final Note *
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This is to simple put it one of the finest films that has ever been made and not only will it be voted one of the greatest movies ever made today but it shall receive that accolade for many more years to come, I only wish that there where more films around of this calibre then maybe that way ...
M.Frieel 27.09.2001 (30.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
Advantages: Brilliant classic Disadvantages: Maybe a bit slow and dated
...Social Backdrop
Vertigo was made in 1958, in the midst of great class, racial and gender revolutions in America. Victory in World War II had not brought to her people a feeling of triumph, but instead had created "a churning discomfort, an uncertainty about the future and a lack of clarity about the past" . The class and racial superiority the white Americans had been enjoying throughout history was challenged by new African Americans migrant . ... ...landmark film of the 50s Vertigo was born, embodying in it the epitome of Hitchcockery, the emotional trials of the American, and more. Film background
Behind the makings of masterpiece Vertigo was the man who has been hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. In the master's own words, the most intriguing of all is "a change of perspective within a shot" . His ingenuity is seen in technical innovations. A fine manifestation of this ...
playera13 01.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
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Advantages: Suspenseful, beautifully filmed Disadvantages: None for me
in mind the period in which the film was made, is quite amazing and is certainly memorable.
The story is compelling from beginning to end. There is the riddle of Madeleine and her strange behaviour, then there is the knowledge that somehow Scottie's vertigo is going to affect the story, as well as the unrequited love between Midge and Scottie, all of which are intriguing and draw the viewer in to the film. For me though, the ending is the best part, because there is a twist in the tale - well several actually - that manages to surprise me each time.
There are some good extras that accompany this version of the DVD. There is a half hour documentary on the painstaking process of cleaning up the film, which I found fascinating - thank goodness there are people that see the worth in doing this. Other extras include a feature commentary ...
sunmeilan 21.10.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vertigo (DVD)
Advantages: Fantastic quality live show. Disadvantages: Could feature more insight.
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The concert DVD contains footage from both the May 9th and 10th Chicago shows at the United Center directed by Hamish Hamilton, who previously worked with the band directing "Elevation 2001/Live From Boston" and "U2 Go Home - Live from Slane Castle." While the feel of "Vertigo 2005//U2 Live From Chicago" is very much in the same vein as the Elevation DVDs there are some notable differences. Having attended both of these shows in person I can attest that very little was has been dropped from the show itself, with the major exception of "Party Girl," a song that was performed both nights. In essence this is as close to actually being at a typical U2 show on the first leg of the Vertigo Tour as a fan can be without attending the show itself.
The songs themselves get center stage in this concert DVD and while the audience's presence is all ...
Advantages: Superb Show, Great Set List Disadvantages: None
This DVD of the Chicago concert is possibly one of the finest performances ive seen from U2. I have been priviliged enough to see them in concert on the Vertigo Tour and watching this really does make the viewer feel as if they are there themselves. The lighting, the music and the camera work makes the DVD a fantastic viewing and really captures U2 well on stage. The set-list for the DVD, which is a mix of the latest How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb album all the way back to tracks from the debut album Boy, the way in which the songs just merge together makes the concert flow together beautifully.
The lighting effects really do make this concert stand out from others, the fantastic 'pixel' wall behind them as they play show some outstanding images and with the different coloured lights flowing continuously throughout the concert, it ...
Psychological drama about a detective who is led through a complicated series of frauds. He falls in love with the woman he is assigned to follow, only to see her commit suicide...or so he thinks...
Featurette, Production Notes, Original Theatrical Trailer, Cast And Film Makers Biographies, Feature Commentary, Foreign Censor Ending
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Mono, Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Mono French Italian Spanish Surround German
DVD Description
VERTIGO is Alfred Hitchcock's haunting tale of deception, madness, and death, a masterful exploration of fantasy and anxiety. The film ranks with REAR WINDOW as one of the director's most closely studied films for its psychological complexity, while the obsession of its protagonist--John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart)--can also be seen to parallel that of Hitchcock's own fascination with the icy-blonde leading lady he recreated at the center of so many of his films. Scottie Ferguson is a retired detective, his career ended by the onset of a paralyzing fear of heights. An old friend, the wealthy Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), hires Ferguson to follow his wife (Kim Novak), whom, he explains, has grown obsessed with an ancestor of hers. The assignment draws Ferguson out of his comfortable role as observer and into a complex web of intrigue, mingled with the detective's own fantasies and fears. Stewart gives an exceptional performance as the disintegrating detective, while Novak, who was left largely undirected by Hitchcock, conveys a subtle and powerful psychological journey. Another star of the film is its San Francisco setting. VERTIGO is considered one of Hitchcock's finest and most complex films.
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