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Vertigo
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Vertigo (1958)

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User Rating: 8.6/10 (67,091 votes)
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IMDb Coverage of Comic-Con 2008

Overview

Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers:
Pierre Boileau (novel) and
Thomas Narcejac (novel) ...
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Release Date:
21 July 1958 (Brazil) more view trailer
Tagline:
A Hitchcock thriller. You should see it from the beginning! more
Plot:
A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
AFI Picks Top Films By Genre (From Studio Briefing. 18 June 2008, 10:35 AM, PDT)
Hopkins To Play Hitchcock (From WENN. 8 November 2007)
User Comments:
Distinctive & Unforgettable Masterpiece more

Cast

 (Complete credited cast)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
'Vertigo' (USA) (poster title)
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (USA) (complete title)
From Among the Dead (USA) (working title)
Illicit Darkening (USA) (working title)
Listen Darkling (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
128 min | USA:129 min (1996 restored version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.50 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS 70 mm (1996 re-release) (70 mm prints) | DTS (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Dolby Digital (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #18867) | Brazil:12 (2007) (DVD re-rating) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (1997) | Spain:T | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating) (1983) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1983) (certificate no. 27072) | Brazil:18 (original DVD rating) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12/9 (1995) | Finland:K-12/9 (1997) | Finland:K-16 (1958) | France:U | Norway:11 (re-rating) (1997) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) | West Germany:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 52% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The building exterior used for Madeleine's apartment building is located at 1000 Mason St., across the street from the Fairmont Hotel. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Scotty takes Madeleine out of water her shoe is off. When they have reached the pier Madeleine has both shoes again. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Officer on rooftop: Give me your hand. Give me your hand.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in San Francisco: Scene of the Crime (2004) (V) more

FAQ

A NOTE ABOUT SPOILERS
What film did Paramount want Hitchcock to do instead of "Vertigo"?
Why doesn't Scottie recognize Judy for who she is?
more
131 out of 169 people found the following comment useful:-
Distinctive & Unforgettable Masterpiece, 19 June 2001
Author: Snow Leopard from Ohio

One of the many things that made Hitchcock such a great director is that he did not just stick to the same formula time after time; all of his best movies have their own unique feel and characteristics. "Vertigo" is particularly distinctive, both as a complex story filled with suspense, and as a fascinating study in psychological tension. While it lacks the humor of some of Hitchcock's other masterpieces, and sometimes moves rather slowly, it is unforgettable, and a great achievement by the director and his cast.

If you have never seen it, you will enjoy it more if you do not know too much about the plot, although the actual story is somewhat secondary to the ways that the characters are tested and their weaknesses exposed by the various events. Hitchcock uses a complicated story, interesting characters, lavish visual detail, and deliberate pacing, plus a fine musical score by the incomparable Bernard Hermann, to produce a mysterious, almost unearthly, atmosphere. The tension rarely lets up, and the viewer is caught up completely in it, at times almost to the point of discomfort. It's the kind of film that repays careful attention, as almost every moment is filled with significant detail.

There are also some great acting performances. Jimmy Stewart is outstanding in a role far different from his usual screen persona. He enables the viewer to sympathize completely with him, even as we cringe at many of his character's actions and decisions. Kim Novak is completely convincing in a difficult dual role, and the movie would not have been as compelling without her fine performance. The rest of the cast all have much smaller roles, but are all quite good too, especially Barbara Bel Geddes as Scottie's (Stewart's) old friend, who provides important insight into Scottie's character.

"Vertigo" is a classic by any standard. It's a must-see that remains just as impressive with each viewing.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Did they consumate their relationship? caitrp10
Sorry if I'm being stupid, but........ huwdavies86
Greatest cinematic experience movieluvr4
Not in Kansas anymore! voided-1
was it a ghost, was it fun? caitrp10
Waking up naked in a strange mans bed JohnnyDoe67
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