This was my first time watching Vertigo and my god, what a masterpiece. It is, of course, as good as anyone says it is. This film is packed with fantastic suspense techniques, a whole lot of mystery and a great amount of unhealthy obsession.
There is no doubt about it, Alfred Hitchcock executed this film to nearly perfection BUT this film would not be the masterpiece it is without another incredible genius, Bernard Herrmann. His compositions throughout the entire movie literally made the movie and I am sure that most people would agree with that. The whole sequence in which Scottie trails “Madeline” would be nothing without Herrmann’s compositions. These images that the viewer sees, Scottie driving through San Francisco, Madeline buying flowers, Madeline gazing at the painting of Carlotta, more driving, and so on, would absolutely have no significance if it wasn’t for the music. Essentially, the film would be a silent film for nearly 15 minutes …show more content…
He made you over just like I made you over. Only better. Not only the clothes and the hair. But the looks and the manner and the words. And those beautiful phony trances. And you jumped into the Bay, didn't you? I'll bet you're a wonderful swimmer, aren't you? Aren't you? Aren't you? And then what did he do? Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you exactly what to do and what to say? You were a very apt pupil, too, weren't you? You were a very apt pupil. Why did you pick on me? Why me?”
There are so many questions that are still lingering in my head and that I hope some of you may answer in your discussions. Does Judy jump willingly or is she so frightened by the nun that she trips and falls into her death? Does Scottie know when he first sees Judy on the street that it was indeed Madeline? Does Judy really love Scottie? Does she willingly suffer through Scotties obsession to prove her love to him? Or does she do so because she feels tremendously guilty? ........endless
There is no doubt about it, Alfred Hitchcock executed this film to nearly perfection BUT this film would not be the masterpiece it is without another incredible genius, Bernard Herrmann. His compositions throughout the entire movie literally made the movie and I am sure that most people would agree with that. The whole sequence in which Scottie trails “Madeline” would be nothing without Herrmann’s compositions. These images that the viewer sees, Scottie driving through San Francisco, Madeline buying flowers, Madeline gazing at the painting of Carlotta, more driving, and so on, would absolutely have no significance if it wasn’t for the music. Essentially, the film would be a silent film for nearly 15 minutes …show more content…
He made you over just like I made you over. Only better. Not only the clothes and the hair. But the looks and the manner and the words. And those beautiful phony trances. And you jumped into the Bay, didn't you? I'll bet you're a wonderful swimmer, aren't you? Aren't you? Aren't you? And then what did he do? Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you exactly what to do and what to say? You were a very apt pupil, too, weren't you? You were a very apt pupil. Why did you pick on me? Why me?”
There are so many questions that are still lingering in my head and that I hope some of you may answer in your discussions. Does Judy jump willingly or is she so frightened by the nun that she trips and falls into her death? Does Scottie know when he first sees Judy on the street that it was indeed Madeline? Does Judy really love Scottie? Does she willingly suffer through Scotties obsession to prove her love to him? Or does she do so because she feels tremendously guilty? ........endless