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Vertigo

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by Alfred Hitchcock

 

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Summary in 1 sentence

A retired detective with acrophobia becomes obsessed with a friend's wife who seemingly possesses a split personality, leading to a tragic series of events.


Summary in a Twitter post

In Hitchcock's masterpiece, #Vertigo, a retired detective with acrophobia gets entangled in a web of deceit, obsession, and love as he investigates the peculiar behavior of his friend's wife. A haunting exploration of identity and illusion. #ClassicCinema


Summary in an SMS/text message

Ex-cop Scottie, scared of heights, gets obsessed with his friend's wife Madeleine who he's hired to follow. She dies, he meets her lookalike Judy, falls for her, but realizes she was Madeleine all along. Tragic end. Classic Hitchcock suspense!


Summary in a Facebook post

Just watched Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, Vertigo! A thrilling tale of a retired detective with acrophobia, drawn into a web of deceit and obsession. The plot twists, haunting score, and stunning visuals had me on the edge of my seat! #ClassicCinema #Hitchcock #Vertigo


Summary in a 1 minute read

Vertigo is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The story follows John "Scottie" Ferguson, a retired detective who suffers from acrophobia and vertigo, as he is hired by an old friend to follow his wife, Madeleine. As Scottie becomes obsessed with Madeleine, he uncovers a dark plot involving her and her husband's past. However, when Madeleine seemingly commits suicide, Scottie's guilt and trauma lead him to a mental breakdown. Later, he meets a woman named Judy who bears a striking resemblance to Madeleine. As he tries to recreate his lost love, he discovers the truth behind her death and his own manipulation. The film explores themes of obsession, guilt, and identity, culminating in a shocking and tragic finale. With stunning visuals and a haunting score, Vertigo is a classic Hitchcock masterpiece that delves into the depths of the human psyche.


Summary in 1 page

  • John “Scottie” Ferguson is a retired detective who suffers from acrophobia (fear of heights) and vertigo (dizziness). He is hired by an old college friend, Gavin Elster, to follow his wife Madeleine who he believes is possessed by a spirit.
  • Madeleine Elster is Gavin’s wife and the woman Scottie is hired to follow. She is beautiful and mysterious, often seen wandering around San Francisco and visiting historical landmarks.
  • Midge Wood is Scottie’s former fiancĂ©e and close friend. She is an artist and provides emotional support for Scottie throughout the film.
  • Judy Barton is a woman who Scottie meets after Madeleine’s death. She bears a striking resemblance to Madeleine and becomes involved in Scottie’s obsession with her.

The film begins with Scottie retiring from the police force after a traumatic incident where his fear of heights caused the death of a fellow officer. He is approached by Gavin, who asks him to follow his wife Madeleine as he believes she is being possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother, Carlotta Valdes. Scottie reluctantly agrees and begins to follow Madeleine, who leads him to various locations around San Francisco.

As Scottie continues to follow Madeleine, he becomes increasingly obsessed with her. He learns that she has been visiting the grave of Carlotta Valdes and has been acting strangely, often staring into space and exhibiting signs of possession. Scottie also discovers that Madeleine is married to Gavin, who seems to be controlling and manipulative towards her.

One day, Madeleine jumps into the San Francisco Bay and Scottie rescues her. He takes her to his apartment to dry off and they begin to develop a romantic relationship. However, Madeleine’s strange behavior continues and she tells Scottie about a recurring dream she has been having about a Spanish mission and a bell tower.

Scottie decides to take Madeleine to the mission in an attempt to cure her of her possession. However, as they climb the bell tower, Scottie’s vertigo kicks in and he is unable to save Madeleine as she falls to her death. The police rule it as a suicide, but Scottie is consumed with guilt and becomes severely depressed.

Months later, Scottie sees a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Madeleine and becomes obsessed with her. He follows her and discovers that her name is Judy Barton and she is an actress. Scottie becomes convinced that Judy is actually Madeleine and that her death was faked. He forces her to dress and act like Madeleine, even taking her to the mission to recreate the scene of her death.

As Scottie’s obsession with Judy grows, she begins to fall in love with him. However, she eventually confesses that she was hired by Gavin to impersonate Madeleine and that the whole thing was a plot to murder the real Madeleine and frame Scottie for her death. Scottie is devastated and becomes enraged, forcing Judy to confess the truth and reveal her true identity.

In a fit of rage, Scottie takes Judy back to the mission and forces her to climb the bell tower, just as Madeleine did. However, this time, Judy falls to her death. Scottie is left alone, consumed by his guilt and obsession with Madeleine.

In the end, it is revealed that Gavin had been manipulating Scottie the entire time and that Madeleine’s possession was all part of his plan. Scottie’s fear of heights and vertigo were used against him to carry out the murder. The film ends with Scottie standing on the edge of the bell tower, looking down at the ground below, symbolizing his descent into madness.


FAQ

  1. What is the movie Vertigo about?

    The movie follows a retired detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he is hired to follow.
  2. Who directed Vertigo?

    The movie was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
  3. When was Vertigo released?

    Vertigo was released in 1958.
  4. Who are the main actors in Vertigo?

    The main actors are James Stewart and Kim Novak.
  5. Is Vertigo based on a book?

    Yes, Vertigo is based on the novel “D’entre les morts” by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac.
  6. What genre is Vertigo?

    Vertigo is a psychological thriller.
  7. What is the significance of the title Vertigo?

    The title refers to the fear of heights, which is a major theme in the movie.
  8. Where is Vertigo set?

    The movie is set in San Francisco, California.
  9. Is Vertigo in color or black and white?

    Vertigo is in color.
  10. What is the famous camera technique used in Vertigo?

    The famous camera technique used in Vertigo is the “dolly zoom” or “vertigo effect.”
  11. What is the twist in Vertigo?

    The twist in Vertigo is that the woman the detective is following is not who she appears to be.
  12. Is Vertigo considered a classic?

    Yes, Vertigo is considered a classic and one of Hitchcock’s greatest films.
  13. Did Vertigo win any awards?

    Yes, Vertigo won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Sound.
  14. What is the runtime of Vertigo?

    The runtime of Vertigo is 128 minutes.
  15. Is Vertigo a suspenseful movie?

    Yes, Vertigo is known for its suspenseful and tense atmosphere.
  16. What is the famous line from Vertigo?

    The famous line from Vertigo is “I want to stop being haunted.”
  17. What is the symbolism of the color green in Vertigo?

    The color green is often associated with the character’s obsession and the theme of deception in the movie.
  18. Is Vertigo a love story?

    Some consider Vertigo to be a love story, while others see it as a story of obsession and manipulation.
  19. What is the significance of the staircase in Vertigo?

    The staircase represents the character’s descent into madness and obsession.
  20. What is the ending of Vertigo?

    The ending of Vertigo is left open to interpretation, with the main character’s fate unknown.
  21. Is Vertigo a remake?

    No, Vertigo is not a remake, but it was inspired by Hitchcock’s earlier film “Rebecca.”
  22. What is the age rating for Vertigo?

    Vertigo is rated PG for mild violence and thematic elements.
  23. Is Vertigo available to stream?

    Yes, Vertigo is available to stream on various platforms such as Amazon Prime and Hulu.
  24. What is the budget for Vertigo?

    The budget for Vertigo was $2.5 million.
  25. What is the box office gross for Vertigo?

    The box office gross for Vertigo was $7.3 million.
  26. Is there a sequel to Vertigo?

    No, there is no sequel to Vertigo.
  27. What is the legacy of Vertigo?

    Vertigo is considered one of the greatest films of all time and has influenced many other movies and filmmakers.


 

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