The Mystique Of Hitchock's Vertigo

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most legendary filmmakers to have ever existed and his contribution towards his craft simply cannot be debated. His film Vertigo is not just deemed as one of his best works but also one of the greatest cinematic pieces of all time. But what makes Vertigo so special that it lingers in our minds ever after the credits roll? The answer lies in the suspense the plot builds frame by frame, the magnificent use of camera techniques and of course, the stellar play of colours on our screens.

Released in 1958, Vertigo is a psychological thriller that follows the story of John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson (James Stewart), a former detective suffering from acrophobia (fear of heights) who is hired to follow a mysterious woman named Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak). As he becomes increasingly obsessed with her, a complex web of love, deception and illusion unfolds, leading to tragic consequences. The movie delves deep into the complexities of obsession, the human psyche and identity.

Another very important thing is the way Hitchcock takes advantage of the colour wheel in the film. By playing with hues of red and green, he created a striking contrast in the scenes and that elevated the film to a whole new level. Green is often associated with elements of mystery and sinister and that helped set the narrative of how Scottie viewed Madeline. Red, on the other hand, is viewed as dangerous and passionate. It signified Scottie’s Vertigo and also his obsession. The polarisation of Red and Green is one of the most impeccable examples of colour theory put into action.

The contrast of Red and Green

The movie also popularized the dolly zoom camera technique which is also referred to as the “Vertigo effect”. This disorienting technique was used in the film as a visual metaphor for Scottie’s acrophobia. The hypnotizing cinematography of the movie transfers the viewers into a whole new reality.

Vertigo is truly one of the most unparalleled cinematic masterpieces of all time and that is why it continues to inspire filmmakers all across the globe. It is a visual delight that we just can’t get enough of.

Arisha Kamran Khan