# Vertigo

> 1958 film by Alfred Hitchcock

**Wikidata**: [Q202548](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202548)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertigo_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vertigo

## Summary
*Vertigo* is a 1958 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart as a former San Francisco detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he believes is his wife, leading to a psychological and physical descent into madness. The film is renowned for its innovative use of camera techniques, particularly the dolly zoom, and its exploration of themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
- Released in 1958.
- Stars James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson.
- Features Bernard Herrmann's iconic score.
- Produced by Alfred Hitchcock Productions.
- Distributed by Paramount Pictures.
- Filmed in black-and-white.
- Runtime: 128 minutes.
- Genre: Psychological thriller, mystery, drama.
- Country of origin: United States.
- Production company: Paramount Pictures.
- Publication dates: January 1, 1958 (initial release), February 3, 1959 (re-release).
- IMDb ID: tt0052357.
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%.
- Metacritic score: 100/100.
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films ID: 647094.
- National Film Registry selection (1988).
- Wikipedia title: Vertigo (film).
- Sitelink count: 65.

## FAQs
**What is the plot of *Vertigo*?**
*Vertigo* follows former San Francisco detective John "Scottie" Ferguson, who becomes obsessed with a woman he believes is his wife, leading to a psychological and physical descent into madness. The film explores themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo.

**Who directed *Vertigo*?**
*Vertigo* was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a renowned British filmmaker known for his innovative suspense techniques and iconic films like *Psycho* and *North by Northwest*.

**Who stars in *Vertigo*?**
James Stewart plays the lead role of John "Scottie" Ferguson, a former San Francisco detective. Kim Novak portrays the woman he obsesses over, and Barbara Bel Geddes plays his wife, Madeleine.

**What is the significance of the dolly zoom in *Vertigo*?**
The dolly zoom is a key technical innovation in *Vertigo*, where the camera moves forward while zooming in, creating a disorienting effect that enhances the film's psychological tension and visual storytelling.

**What is the role of Bernard Herrmann's score in *Vertigo*?**
Bernard Herrmann's score for *Vertigo* is iconic, featuring haunting, romantic themes that heighten the film's emotional and narrative depth. His innovative use of leitmotifs and dissonance expanded the emotional and narrative possibilities of film music.

## Why It Matters
*Vertigo* is a seminal work in the history of cinema, revolutionizing filmmaking through its innovative use of camera techniques and psychological storytelling. The film's exploration of themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo has left a lasting impact on popular culture and influenced generations of filmmakers. Without *Vertigo*, the landscape of psychological thriller cinema would lack its foundational techniques and iconic narratives.

## Notable For
- Pioneering use of the dolly zoom camera technique.
- Iconic score by Bernard Herrmann, which redefined the role of music in film.
- Alfred Hitchcock's masterful direction and suspenseful storytelling.
- James Stewart's iconic performance as John "Scottie" Ferguson.
- Exploration of themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo.
- Selection for the National Film Registry in 1988, preserving its cultural significance.
- Influence on subsequent psychological thrillers and suspense films.

## Body

### Plot and Themes
*Vertigo* follows former San Francisco detective John "Scottie" Ferguson, who becomes obsessed with a woman he believes is his wife, Madeleine. The film explores themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo, as Scottie's descent into madness leads to a series of psychological and physical challenges. The film's innovative use of camera techniques, particularly the dolly zoom, enhances its exploration of these themes and creates a disorienting effect that heightens the film's psychological tension.

### Technical Innovations
*Vertigo* is renowned for its innovative use of camera techniques, particularly the dolly zoom. The dolly zoom, where the camera moves forward while zooming in, creates a disorienting effect that enhances the film's psychological tension and visual storytelling. The film's use of long takes and innovative camera movements revolutionized filmmaking and set new standards for suspense and psychological thriller films.

### Iconic Score
Bernard Herrmann's score for *Vertigo* is iconic, featuring haunting, romantic themes that heighten the film's emotional and narrative depth. His innovative use of leitmotifs and dissonance expanded the emotional and narrative possibilities of film music, ensuring that *Vertigo* remains a landmark in the history of film scoring.

### Alfred Hitchcock's Direction
Alfred Hitchcock's direction of *Vertigo* is masterful, combining innovative camera techniques with suspenseful storytelling to create a film that is both visually stunning and psychologically gripping. His exploration of themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo has left a lasting impact on popular culture and influenced generations of filmmakers.

### James Stewart's Performance
James Stewart's performance as John "Scottie" Ferguson is iconic, capturing the character's descent into madness with a combination of intensity and vulnerability. His portrayal of Scottie's obsession and psychological turmoil has become one of the most memorable performances in the history of cinema.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
*Vertigo* has left a lasting impact on popular culture and influenced generations of filmmakers. The film's exploration of themes of obsession, identity, and vertigo has become a touchstone for psychological thriller cinema, and its innovative use of camera techniques has set new standards for suspense and visual storytelling. The film's selection for the National Film Registry in 1988 preserves its cultural significance and ensures that *Vertigo* remains a landmark in the history of cinema.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/)
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8. Freebase Data Dumps
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/fullcredits)
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11. The Movie Database
12. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
13. Vertigo. Rotten Tomatoes
14. IMDb
15. Lexicon of international films
16. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/releaseinfo)
17. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0052357/)
18. Kinopoisk
19. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/vertigo-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0ynte1odk)
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