Hitchcock's exquisitely mysterious masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2008)

Vertigo (1958)
Number 1 - 1958
Top 5 - 1950s
Top 100 - All Time
Vertigo displays Sir Alfred Hitchcock's mastery to frighten, surprise and tantalise at its highest level - this is a triumph not only in its genre but as a cinematic landmark in creative, modern cinematic attitudes.
Of course, like most of Hitchcock's films,Vertigo, upon its release it was met with mixed reviews.
Variety magazine said said the film showed Hitchcock's "mastery", but was too long and slow for "what is basically only a psychological murder mystery". However as time passed, Vertigo was met with vigorous excitement and favourability and has since become a classic, analysed and re-analysed so many times.
The story of an acrophobic detective (James Stewart), who retires from the force and is later hired by a wealthy businessman to observe his wife's bizarre behaviour, claiming that she might be possessed. However, the truth is far from that as John 'Scottie' Ferguson realises as time passes and in true Hitchcockian fashion, the ride is thrilling from start to finish.
Cinematic excellence, one of Hitchcock's finest films, highly recommended.
10/10