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September 12, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

Vertigo

Vertigo is a 1958 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 12, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Vertigo is a 1958 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars James Stewart and Kim Novak and follows a former police detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he is hired to follow. Although it received a mixed response on release, it is now widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

Plot

The film follows Scottie Ferguson, a retired detective living with acrophobia, as he is asked to investigate the strange behaviour of Madeleine Elster. The story develops into an obsessive romance involving identity, deception, and tragedy.

Production

Vertigo was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, with a screenplay by Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor. Its score was composed by Bernard Herrmann and its cinematography was by Robert Burks.

Reception and legacy

The film was not a major success at the time of release and drew mixed reviews. It later gained a strong critical reputation and is now often cited among the greatest films ever made.

Style and themes

Vertigo is known for its use of colour, camera movement, and psychological subject matter. Commonly discussed themes include obsession, identity, manipulation, and idealization.

Key facts

  • The film stars James Stewart as former San Francisco police detective John "Scottie" Ferguson.
  • Scottie is hired to follow Madeleine Elster, played by Kim Novak, and becomes obsessed with her.
  • The story was adapted from the 1954 novel D'entre les morts.
  • Vertigo is noted for innovative camera techniques used to simulate the sensation of vertigo.
  • It is widely ranked among Hitchcock's most important and influential films.
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Canadian context

Vertigo has long been studied and screened in Canadian film courses, retrospectives, and repertory cinema because of its influence on world cinema and Hitchcock's enduring reputation.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Vertigo?
Vertigo was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
What is Vertigo about?
It follows a retired detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he is hired to watch, leading to a story about deception, identity, and fixation.
Who stars in Vertigo?
The main stars are James Stewart and Kim Novak, with Barbara Bel Geddes and Tom Helmore in supporting roles.
What year was Vertigo released?
Vertigo was released in 1958.
Was Vertigo successful when it came out?
It received mixed reviews and was not a major commercial success at first, but its reputation improved greatly over time.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vertigo-film-1958
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, plot, running time, and critical legacy
  2. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/11-dizzying-facts-about-vertigo
    Supports: Cast, plot premise, and initial commercial/critical reception
  3. Yale University Library — https://web.library.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Vertigo%20Notes.pdf
    Supports: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, 1958 date, running time, cast, and the 'Vertigo effect' camera technique
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/
    Supports: Adaptation from D'entre les morts and production credits; used only for cross-checking