SYNOPSIS
When originally released in 1958 ‘Vertigo’ didn’t do to well at the box office or with the critics. Almost forty years later, ‘Vertigo’ is revered a Masterpiece; Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest acheivement. The film has been recently re-released on home video as a restored/re-mastered edition. You can find a non restored (original) version of ‘Vertigo’ anywhere.
The two versions differ in many ways. In my opinion the original version is better, mainly because I feel it’s the closer version of what Hitchcock wanted. Although the restored version is nicer to watch, the soundtrack has been altered in ways too obvious, it’s disturbing. But it does provide a better cinematic experience!
Vertigo is a movie about obsession, love and over coming fears. Scottie (James Stewart) is a detective who after a traumatic experience with heights causing him vertigo, retires from the police force. He is convinced by his old college friend, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), to go back on the job as a favor to follow his suicidal wife, Madeline (Kim Novak). Gavin believes that his wife is possesed by the spirit of his wife’s great grandmother. Scottie is reluctant to follow her, but when he sees Madeline for the first time he is so taken back by her beauty that he is whisked up in this “dreamworld” of her’s. The two fall in love. But when Scottie is unable to save Madeline from killing herself because of his fear of heights, he has a nervous breakdown. After he recovers he comes across a woman named Judy (Kim Novak), who bears a strong resemblance of Madeline. Because of Scottie’s obsession and love for Madeline, he has Judy change herself to become his Madeline. Unfortunatly for Scottie there is more in store for him.
