Watched Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Vertigo the other night. I have seen bits and pieces of this film since I was a young kid, and never sat down and watched it from beginning to end. Wow, wow, wow. It truly is a bizarre film, with a brilliant twist ending.
This is an example of great film making, but also an example of a whole bunch of genius collaborators coming together. Hitchcock of course, but also the title sequence (posted below) and poster (to the left) were designed by the incomparable Saul Bass and are fine examples of New York School design of the 1950's. The beguiling score was written Bernard Herrmann, and is spellbinding in it's usage of repeated leitmotifs. Additionally, Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak are impossible to take your eyes from. The title is significant to not only the plot but to the viewer as well; we are never able to get our bearings as viewers, and the pace continues to enhance a disorientation of the senses through plot, camera movements, framing, performance, dialogue, etc. Brilliant.
Another point of interest is that the restoration is stunning. We watched the film on my father in law's HDTV Blue-Ray player, and it is stunning. The color, sound, and overall crispness is breathtaking, and greatly enhances the viewing experience. Essential viewing for anyone interested in film, art, etc. Genius indeed.
This is an example of great film making, but also an example of a whole bunch of genius collaborators coming together. Hitchcock of course, but also the title sequence (posted below) and poster (to the left) were designed by the incomparable Saul Bass and are fine examples of New York School design of the 1950's. The beguiling score was written Bernard Herrmann, and is spellbinding in it's usage of repeated leitmotifs. Additionally, Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak are impossible to take your eyes from. The title is significant to not only the plot but to the viewer as well; we are never able to get our bearings as viewers, and the pace continues to enhance a disorientation of the senses through plot, camera movements, framing, performance, dialogue, etc. Brilliant.
Another point of interest is that the restoration is stunning. We watched the film on my father in law's HDTV Blue-Ray player, and it is stunning. The color, sound, and overall crispness is breathtaking, and greatly enhances the viewing experience. Essential viewing for anyone interested in film, art, etc. Genius indeed.
