Vertigo film

• What makes *Vertigo* a significant work in cinema?

  its, innovative style

  its exploration of complex and ideological themes

  its enduring influence of filmmakers
• How has the critical reception of *Vertigo* changed over time?*

  It has become more positive and appreciative.
• What were the initial critical reactions to *Vertigo*?

  Mostly negative
• What is the "Vertigo shot" also known as?

  dolly shot
• Which of the following is NOT a signature stylistic element of Hitchcock's filmmaking evident in *Vertigo*

  jump cuts
• What aspect of Scottie's character is significantly challenged in the film

  His masculinity
• How is Madeleine primarily portrayed in the film?

  Passive and controlled
• Which visual motif is prominently used in *Vertigo* to represent instability and lack of identity?

  Spirals
• San Francisco Landmarks

  • The Golden Gate Bridge: A iconic symbol of San Francisco and a recurring motif in the film.
  • The Mission San Juan Bautista: A mission in California where Scottie and Madeleine visit.
  • The Palace of the Legion of Honor: A museum in San Francisco where Madeleine is admired.
• Alfred Hitchcock's filmmaking techniques

  • Vertigo's use of point-of-view shots: Hitchcock uses POV shots to immerse the audience in Scottie's perspective, emphasizing his sense of unease and vulnerability.
  • The long take: Hitchcock's use of long takes creates a sense of tension and unease, particularly in the scene where Scottie follows Madeleine down the stairs.
  • The MacGuffin: Hitchcock's use of the MacGuffin (the mysterious golden Gates) to obscure the true motivations of the characters, keeping the audience guessing.
• MacGuffin

  The Golden Gate Bridge: Serves as a symbol of Scottie's obsession with Madeleine, representing the MacGuffin that drives the characters' actions.
• Rebirth

  Scottie's Transformation: As he becomes increasingly obsessed with Madeleine, Scottie begins to ascend to new heights, both literally and figuratively, mirroring his relationship with Madeleine.
• Ending

  Ambiguous: Leaves the audience questioning the nature of reality and the characters' true identities, intentionally open to interpretation, encouraging viewers to ponder the themes and symbolism presented throughout the film.
• Point-of-View Shots

  Vertigo's innovative use of point-of-view shots: Hitchcock uses POV shots to immerse the audience in Scottie's perspective, emphasizing his sense of unease and vulnerability.
• Character of Madeleine

  Femme Fatale: Embodies the femme fatale trope, representing the ghost from Scottie's past and forcing him to confront his own mortality and uncertainty of his own identity.
• The Double

  Symbol: Represents the reincarnation of Carlotta and Scottie's desire to recreate his lost childhood.

  Examples: - Madeleine as Carlotta: Madeleine represents the idealized version of Carlotta, Scottie's lost childhood love.

  • Scottie as Madeleine: Scottie's obsession with Madeleine is a desire to recreate his lost childhood and become the idealized version of himself.
• Mother-Son Relationship

  Symbolic dynamic: The complex dynamic between Scottie and Madeleine can be seen as a twisted Mother-Son relationship, where Madeleine represents the mother figure and Scottie is the son searching for a connection with his lost mother.

  Reinforced by: - Mission San Juan Bautista scene: The mission where Carlotta died serves as a symbolic backdrop for the Mother-Son relationship.
• Fear of Death

  Thematic focus: The film explores the Fear of Death through Scottie's injuries and Madeleine's death, emphasizing the uncertainty of life.

  Symbolic elements: - Vertigo: The fear of falling or losing control serves as a metaphor for the Fear of Death.

  • Scottie's injuries: Scottie's physical and emotional injuries serve as reminders of the Fear of Death.
• Power Dynamics

  Complex dynamic: The power dynamics between Scottie and Madeleine are complex and ever-shifting, with Madeleine exercising control and Scottie being manipulated.

  Examples: - Madeleine's manipulation: Madeleine manipulates Scottie to achieve her goals, highlighting the dangers of control and submission.

  • Scottie's downfall: Scottie's obsession with Madeleine ultimately leads to his downfall, emphasizing the dangers of control and submission.
• The Architect

  Symbolism: The use of architectural motifs throughout the film represents the constructive power of human imagination. Example: - Design and architecture: The emphasis on design and architecture reflects the idea that our built environments shape our perceptions and understanding of the world.
• The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

  Influence: The film Cabinet of Dr. Caligari heavily influenced Hitchcock's work on Vertigo. Both films explore the theme of identity and reincarnation, and both use architectural motifs to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. Example: - Similar themes: Both films explore the theme of identity and reincarnation, using architectural motifs to create a sense of unease and uncertainty.
• The Fetish

  Symbolism: Scottie's obsession with Madeleine can be seen as a form of fetishism, where he becomes fixated on a symbol of his lost love. Example: - Costume design: Madeleine's costume design serves as a symbol of Scottie's desires and fantasies, embodying the femme fatale trope.
• Identification

  Concept: Identification is the process of creating an emotional connection with an object or person, allowing us to recapture a lost sense of identity. Example: - Scottie's identification with Carlotta: Scottie's fixation on Madeleine represents his attempt to recapture his lost sense of identity, tied to his memories of Carlotta.
• The Fetish

  Significance: The fetish represents a deeper desire to reunite with Scottie's lost childhood love, Carlotta. Example: - identification with Carlotta: Scottie's fixation on Madeleine is a desire to relive the past and reconnect with his childhood self.
• Loss and Mortality

  Emotional connection: Scottie's fetishization of Madeleine is a coping mechanism for his feelings of loss and mortality, as he becomes entangled in a futile attempt to recreate the past. Example: - Scottie's fixation on Madeleine: Scottie's attempt to recreate the past through Madeleine represents a desire to momentarily escape the ravages of time and recreate his lost sense of identity.
• The Vertigo Effect

  Symbolism: The film's title, Vertigo, refers to the sensation of dizziness and disorientation that Scottie experiences throughout the story. This Vertigo effect is a metaphor for the sense of uncertainty and disconnection that pervades Scottie's life. Example: - Scottie's sense of disorientation: Scottie's episodes of Vertigo serve as a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil and his struggle to cope with his past traumas.
• Scottie's Vertigo

  Trauma: Scottie's episodes of Vertigo are linked to his traumatic experiences, particularly the death of his fiancée, Madeleine. These episodes serve as a physical manifestation of Scottie's inner turmoil and his struggle to cope with his past traumas. Example: - Scottie's inner turmoil: Scottie's Vertigo episodes symbolize his emotional state, emphasizing his feelings of fear, anxiety, and confusion.
• Visual Vertigo

  Visual motif: Hitchcock's use of visual motifs, such as ladders and staircases, creates a sense of Vertigo in the audience. These visual motifs serve as a symbol of Scottie's emotional state, emphasizing his feelings of disorientation and uncertainty. Example: - Visual motifs: The use of visual motifs such as ladders, staircases, and mirrors creates a sense of Vertigo, symbolizing Scottie's emotional state.
• The Architectural Vertigo

  Visual motif: The film's use of architectural motifs, such as height and depth, creates a sense of Vertigo in the audience. These visual motifs serve as a symbol of Scottie's emotional state, emphasizing his feelings of disorientation and uncertainty. Example: - Mission San Juan Bautista scene: The use of ladders and staircases in the Mission San Juan Bautista scene creates a sense of Vertigo, symbolizing Scottie's emotional state.
• Cinematic Vertigo

  Cinematography: Hitchcock's use of cinematography and camera angles creates a sense of Vertigo in the audience. Example: - Dolly shots: The use of dolly shots creates a sense of disorientation, drawing the audience into Scottie's emotional state.
• Scottie's Vertigo and Blindness

  Emotional blindness: Scottie's Vertigo and blindness serve as a metaphor for his emotional blindness. Example: - Emotional disconnection: Scottie's inability to see the truth about Madeleine and the events surrounding her death represents his emotional disconnection and denial.
• The Vertigo Syndrome

  Commentary on the human condition: The film's exploration of Vertigo can be seen as a commentary on the human condition. Example: - Universal human experience: The film suggests that Vertigo is a universal human experience, a feeling of disconnection and uncertainty that we all face at some point in our lives.
• Mise-en-scène Vertigo

  Settings, lighting, and composition: The mise-en-scène (settings, lighting, and composition) in the film creates a sense of Vertigo. Example: - High-contrast lighting: The use of high-contrast lighting creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, symbolizing Scottie's emotional state.
• The Vertigo of Time

  Time: The film explores the theme of time as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Clocks: The use of clocks creates a sense of temporal disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of confusion and disconnection.
• The Architectural Vertigo

  Architectural elements: Hitchcock's use of architectural elements creates a sense of Vertigo. Example: - Spiral staircases: The use of spiral staircases creates a sense of disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of fear and anxiety.
• The Vertigo of Identity

  Identity: The film also explores the theme of identity as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Mirrors: The use of mirrors creates a sense of identity crisis, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of disorientation and uncertainty.
• The Vertigo of Desire

  Desire: The film also explores the theme of desire as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Erotic imagery: The use of erotic imagery creates a sense of sexual disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of confusion and disconnection.
• The Vertigo of the Unconscious

  Unconscious: The film also explores the theme of the unconscious as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Dreams: The use of dreams creates a sense of unconscious disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of confusion and disconnection.
• The Vertigo of the Feminine

  Feminine: The film also explores the theme of the feminine as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Feminine archetypes: The use of feminine archetypes creates a sense of feminine disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of confusion and disconnection.
• The Vertigo of Reality and Fantasy

  Reality and fantasy: The film also explores the theme of reality and fantasy as a source of Vertigo. Example: - Blurred lines between reality and fantasy: The use of blurred lines between reality and fantasy creates a sense of reality and fantasy disorientation, emphasizing Scottie's feelings of confusion and disconnection.