Vertigo

1958
PG
2h 8m

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

438K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:14

Psychological Thriller Suspense Mystery Mystery Romance Thriller

A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply dis... Read allA former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

438K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,585

245

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #108

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 9 wins & 7 nominations total

Priest
(uncredited)

Isabel Analla

Undetermined Role
(uncredited)

Jack Ano

Undetermined Role
(uncredited)

Margaret Bacon

Nun
(uncredited)

John Benson

Salesman
(uncredited)

Danny Borzage

Juror
(uncredited)

Margaret Brayton

Ransohoff's Saleslady
(uncredited)

Paul Bryar

Capt. Hansen
(uncredited)

Boyd Cabeen

Diner at Ernie's
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The opening title sequence designed by Saul Bass makes this the first movie to use computer graphics.

Goofs
Both times the main characters drive to the old mission, the wide shots show them driving on the right side of the road. However, all shots inside the car show them driving on the left side of the road. This is because the US 101 - where filming took place - near San Juan Bautista is split, with two lanes in each direction, by a grove of Eucalyptus trees. The film shows only one of the road's directions, giving the appearance that Scottie and Madeleine are driving on the wrong side of the road.

Quotes
Scottie: Don't you think its kind of a waste for the two of us...
Madeleine: To wander separately? But, only one is a wanderer; two together are always going somewhere.

Crazy credits
The opening Paramount logo is in black and white while the rest of the film, including the closing Paramount logo, is in Technicolor.

Alternate versions
An additional ending was made during post production for some European countries due to certain laws prohibiting a film from letting a "bad guy" get away at the end of a film. In the new ending, after Scottie looks down from the bell tower (the original ending) there is a short scene of Midge in her apartment sitting next to a radio and listening to reports of the police tracking down Gavin Elster hiding out in Europe. As Midge turns off the radio, the news flash also reports that three Berkeley students got caught bringing a cow up the stairs of a campus building. Scottie enters the apartment, looks at Midge plainly, and then looks out a window. Midge makes two drinks and gives one to Scottie. The scene ends with both of them looking out the window without saying a single word to each other. This alternate ending can be found on the restoration laser disc.

Connections
Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)

Soundtracks
Symphony No. 34 in C K. 338, 2nd Movement, Andante di Molto (piu tosto allegretto)
(uncredited)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Played as 'cue 10B' on a record in the psychiatric ward

User reviews1.1K

Review

Featured review

9/10

Mesmerizing.

Alfred Hitchcock directed this mesmerizing film that stars Jimmy Stewart as John 'Scottie' Ferguson, a retired San Francisco policeman who is approached by old college friend Gavin Elster(played by Tom Helmore) who wants him to follow his wife Madeline(played by Kim Novak) who has been acting strangely. Scottie does follow her, and becomes obsessed by her beauty and behavior, eventually falling in love with her, with devastating consequences. Though that is only the start of the mystery... Barbara Bel Geddes costars as Scottie's friend Midge, still in love with him, despite jilting him years before. Superbly directed and acted film has an ingenious story and stunning imagery, making this an unforgettable romantic mystery, with a stunning ending...though if you have the DVD, watch the extra feature on the lost extended ending, which is fascinating, and changes the tone of the film as a result!