#Alfred hitchcock vertigo movie movie#

Madeleine’s blonde hair and demure nature provide further proof that the female lead has made an appearance. It’s then that Madeleine, ( Kim Novak) a supposed descendant of Carlotta and the wife of Scottie’s friend, Gavin ( Tom Helmore) is introduced into the plot. This is further reiterated when Midge recreates a jarring version of the “Portrait of Carlotta” by replacing Carlotta’s face with her own - an image that doesn’t sit right with Scottie, let alone the audience.

She isn’t the quintessential blonde-haired, hyper-feminist lead viewers have been conditioned by Hitchcock to anticipate.

Whilst Midge wearing glasses reinforces Alfred’s recurring premise of ‘sight,’ it equally turns the audience’s attention away from her as a potential love interest for our protagonist. Hitchcock stays true style, as the audience need not question nor confuse Midge’s role in the film. He spends his time unemployed either at home or at the home of his ex-fiancée and now best friend, Midge Wood ( Barbara Bel Geddes). Haunted by feelings of guilt and inadequacy, Scottie quits the police force of his own conviction. Hitchcock wastes no time in revealing Scottie’s acrophobia to the audience as his partner falls off the roof to his death during one of his episodes. The criminal is being pursued by our protagonist, John Ferguson or “Scottie” ( James Stewart) and his fellow patrol officer. Similar to the greater appreciation of aged wine, “Vertigo” appears to have been ahead of its time, with its appreciation blooming with different generations.Īfter a reeling 3-minute intro of the cast members’ names, the plot opens up with a police chase of a criminal across rooftops.

#Alfred hitchcock vertigo movie movie#

Now these very characteristics have earned the movie praise in current times they are seen as metaphorical undertones for the movie’s portrayal of dizziness and repetition. It was criticised for its overly lengthy screen-time and confusing plot. Ironically, this was not always the case, as the movie faced significant backlash shortly after being released and was seen as the lesser of its Hitchcockian counterparts. It unseated “Citizen Kane” as the greatest movie of all time in the 2012 Sight and Sound poll. Even after 64 years, “ Vertigo” keeps its solid position as a beloved classic. Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece was released on May 9th, 1958, and has since been noted for its astounding depiction and storyline.