Vertigo (1958) Full Length Reaction
Added 2026-02-07 16:05:06 +0000 UTCHitch is back and this time it's a thriller with an ending that once again left me stunned! Really enjoyed this one. I heard it wasn't a huge hit when it came out because people weren't used to Jimmy Stewart in a darker role, but now it's considered one of Hitchcock's best. Where does it rank for you?
Movie Runtime: 2:08:27
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Comments
I don't think you noticed, but regarding that scene with the tree rings, you've seen that before. It was shown in the movie Twelve Monkeys when they were hiding in the movie theater. My interpretation of the ending is that she thought that the nun (who was in shadow) was the ghost of the wife, which was why she freaked out. If you'd like a much more pleasant movie with Jimmy Stewart, might I suggest Harvey? Stewart said that his role in that movie was his favorite part of all the ones he played in his career.
Chris Biebel
2026-02-11 00:40:10 +0000 UTCJen I second this recommendation. You love a heist movie. It’s not a spoiler because thief is in the title.
Richard Meacham
2026-02-09 21:44:46 +0000 UTCYes!!!! And now you can see Mel Brooks High Anxiety
Christian Benitez Ugarteche
2026-02-08 21:36:38 +0000 UTCRight from the start of the movie, after the credits, I'm reminded of a music video that the band Faith No More did for their song, "Last Cup of Sorrow". The video is an homage to this movie. The singer is in James Stewart's role, while the woman is played by the actress, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Zapp Rowsdower
2026-02-08 19:41:55 +0000 UTCYeah, Torn Curtain is way underrated. Especially if you're a Paul Newman fan (it's the only time he worked with Hitchcock).
Patrick Turman
2026-02-08 01:51:54 +0000 UTCJen, in your reaction you asked for things to look for in a rewatch. And one thing I've noticed after watching this movie dozens of times (it's my favorite HItchcock & probably in my top 5 favorite movies ever) is that throughout the movie, Scottie is slowly following Madeline down, down, down in a circular motion--as if he's caught in a hypnotic whirlpool. Hypnotic is the best word to describe this movie. We the audience are hypnotized by a world of comfort induced by a big budget, lush sets, Jimmy Stewart, bright technicolor, and a beautiful score. But just like Scotty, we eventually find ourselves in a world where the comfortable downward motion turns into a terrifying death spiral. And if the last scene had continued for another 10 seconds, I think we would have seen Scottie jump off that ledge to his death. It's only logical. We just spent over two hours watching Scottie following Madeline down into the abyss, why would he not do the same at the end?
Patrick Turman
2026-02-08 01:49:52 +0000 UTCOf all the movies ever made, Vertigo might be the MOST re-watchable. Every time you see it, Jen, you'll catch something else, some nuance of Madeline's/Judy's character, or another deft directorial touch from Hitchcock. Now that you know the story and are prepared for the twists, you can carefully observe how incredible the acting is throughout, not only James Stewart and Kim Novak (who is sensational), but also many of the other characters, especially poor Midge. And if you read critical analysis, you'll want to listen to the music cues and keep track of the unique color schemes and the set decoration. This film is endlessly rewarding for repeat viewings.
Michael T
2026-02-08 01:48:36 +0000 UTCNot sure if it was intended, but it seems like at the end, once she has confessed her sins, the nun (a religious symbol) emerges from the shadows when she is at her most vulnerable. I think it was the fear of judgement that scared her back off the ledge.
Jeremy Nuss
2026-02-08 00:34:27 +0000 UTCI've got a real soft spot for Hitchcock's 'TORN CURTAIN' (1966) It's lower rated on IMDB & R.T but stars Paul Newman & Julie Andrews
Trigger
2026-02-07 22:57:06 +0000 UTCOk Jen, now you have to watch my favorite Mel Brooks parody of this movie and a lot of other Hitchcock movies in High Anxiety! Hysterical! 😂 When Hitchcock saw this film he sent Brooks a few cases of a very rare Bordeaux. Or should I say a Birdeaux!
Geoff S.
2026-02-07 22:18:56 +0000 UTCDON'T LOOK DOWN! 😳 Yep, one of my all time Hitchcock favorites. Enjoyed this re-watch as I hadn't seen it in a long time. Good to see some of the old San Francisco locations as they were then. They look much younger than my memories of them. That shot of the Golden Gate Bridge made it look like it had just been repainted. I wonder if that's the case or just a special effect. For a change of pace as far as Hitchcock movies go, you might try To Catch a Thief (1955). I think you'd like it for the glitz and the glamour, not to mention the comedy and romance.
Major Peril
2026-02-07 22:01:49 +0000 UTCNot only my favorite Hitchcock, but also my favorite movie of all time. "Vertigo" has been rated one of the greatest movies of all-time on multiple critics polls, including the most prestigious journal of international movie criticism ("Sight & Sound"), where it was rated the greatest in 2012, and currently stands at #2. I understand why "Vertigo" holds less appeal on first watch than other Hitch movies as it did for me, but it reveals tremendous depths of artistry on re-watches. There are some very insightful psychological themes Hitch is exploring, and great use of symbolism (e.g., spirals, the colors green and red). Besides being unable to be watched for about twenty years as Hitch removed it from distribution, the other famous pop culture fact about "Vertigo" is that the now ubiquitous "dolly zoom" was invented by Hitch for this movie.
Drew
2026-02-07 19:49:04 +0000 UTC
