Vertigo

1958 • 128 minutes

About this movie

Considered by many to be director Alfred Hitchcock's greatest achievement, Leonard Maltin gives Vertigo four stars, hailing it as "A genuinely great motion picture." Set among San Francisco's renown landmarks, James Stewart is brilliant as Scottie Ferguson, an acrophobic detective hired to shadow a friend's suicidal wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak). After he saves her from drowning in the bay, Scottie's interest shifts from business to fascination with the icy, alluring blonde. When he finds another woman remarkably like his lost love, the now obsessed detective must unravel the secrets of the past to find the key to his future.

Ratings and reviews

I have seen this film a gazillion times. Everyone should see it at least once. Its story is ludicrous and plot is full of holes. But you might find (if you are like me) you don't care. Bernard Herman music is hypnotising and a big part of the whole atmosphere.

Very good film, lots of plot holes, but the slow burn build up and the score is phenomenal. That being said for me, Rear Window is still better. James Stewart is very good in both movies

Brilliant. However, "Rear Window" is still better in my opinion.