All My Movies: Vertigo

[@Molson-xg9hs]

Saul Bass, Bernard Herrmann and Edith Head is a dream team of contributors! That nun has always fascinated me at the end. She just kind of shrugs off the fact that she lead to someone’s death and goes about her way. Dark, dark but spellbinding movie.

[@katevand]

God damn Dan deserves awards for this

[@mr.woodfall655]

Agreed. Nobody does it better than Dan.

[@samazwe]

The nun approaching in the final scene legit terrified me on first watch! The way the music goes to silent and it's only sound effects just adds to the eeriness. Whenever I watch this film it feels like a dream, perhaps because of the 'soft' misty texture of the scenes, especially the outdoor ones

[@lukask5208]

Hitch talked about his thoughts on revealing that Judy was actually Madeline to the audience at the beginning of the third act, and not at the end. He said that with revealing the secret earlier on, the audience would say, "What comes next?" And it would create more suspense as to waiting to see what Scotty will do once he finds out, rather than just a surprise. We also see a woman who doesn't want to be changed back, versus a woman who just didn't want to be changed. We also see how much Judy actually loved Scotty because she goes along with the transformation just to please him. It's classic Hitchcock wanting to create suspense for the audience rather than just surprise them.

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

“Let us suppose that there is a bomb underneath this table between us. Nothing happens, and then all of a sudden, “Boom!” There is an explosion. The public is surprised, but prior to this surprise, it has seen an absolutely ordinary scene, of no special consequence. Now, let us take a suspense situation. The bomb is underneath the table and the public knows it…In these conditions this same innocuous conversation becomes fascinating because the public is participating in the secret.” - Alfred Hitchcock

[@bethperforms6191]

Who disliked this amazing breakdown of a Hitchcock classic? Bruh.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

I've seen some highly bizarre downvotes on KZbin. I assume they're just people scrolling through videos with a grudge. The video of the Chilean minors finally escaping got downvotes. 😨

[@davidsal6597]

I can understand the dislikes RE the sponsored ads. I get why Dan has to do it, but it nearly made me turn this video off. Gives off such a "sell-out" vibe and goes for way too long, but again, I understand why Dan does it, but I also understand the dislikes for this as the primary reason.

[@jordancadwell6549]

The better help ads

[@mchapmond]

I do not understand the people who say that they did it because of the ads. This is his job, he has to make money. Have you ever held it against a TV show for having commercials? "The Breaking Bad finale sucked, they had like 3 commercial breaks. Total sellouts."

[@astragalusson]

My first reaction to Vertigo's twist being revealed too early was similar to Dan but after much thinking I changed my mind. I agree that it keeps Scotty likable but I believe the real reason is that it quickly enables the classic Hitchcock suspense. After that point, you're watching it for the suspense of some questions: How and when will Scotty realize the truth? How far will Judy take this crazy game? What is he gonna do when he figures it out? In that context; I think the reveal makes it more interesting to watch the "forced transformation" section of the movie. The suspense of the reveal of the truth keeps building up for the audience. In the alternative; all we would be left with a crazy man torturing a poor woman for that section and we only maybe had the suspense of how will she escape this craziness. I understand that, although the twist is still there and it's still shocking for a moment, it's not as memorable or capabe of defining the movie because it's not in the end, like Psycho for example. However, I believe that's a sacrifice for the suspense, which is a deliberate choice. Hitchock, unlike many other directors nowadays, cared more about the suspense during the film rather than a memorable ending with a crazy twist. By the way, loved Dan's theory about the ending.

[@marikotrue3488]

This series is always interesting and very re-watchable. In college, I was never able to take any theater or movie history courses. Dan Murrell is my new favorite professor.

[@cjc363636]

This movie gets into your psyche. ---Dan, this was a film essay. Thanks, and I hope you do more pre-blockbuster, classic Hollywood AMMs.

[@sansfi]

I "discovered" how to do the Vertigo effect when I was a teen. My parents just got a videocamera and I was always using it, and suddenly one day I was in the backseat of the car recording backwards and I zoomed in and suddenly I noticed that effect that I had seen in movies before.

[@GoldZephonian]

Great review/look back Dan. More classic movies please! Leonard Moltin and Alicia Malone would be proud!

[@BessieBopOrBach]

Fun fact about Saul Bass's intro: the spiral effects were produced by computer control, one of the first *ever* examples of (analogue) CGI.

[@LG-of8ue]

I saw Vertigo in a theater in 1983. I was in high school at the time. It made a big impression on me, especially the chase scene on the roof tops. Thanks for discussing this film!💜

[@peterm.4355]

Rewatched it on UHD few weeks ago. What an amazing film.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

This is why I subscribe to Dan. A great reminder of a superlative film.

[@jamesgoldin7063]

Great presentation! And I never thought about your theory of what Scotty did right after the film ends. In a screenwriting workshop I took years back, there was also the notion of a trick Hitchcock played with the audience's perception and expectation of time. "Vertigo" is over 2 hours long, but in 1958 a lot of movies still clocked in at around 90 minutes or less. Madeline's apparent suicide takes place at around the time audiences were used to a movie ending, so it makes it seem even more like the story is complete. Then the story continues with apparently a new character--so the audience was in an unfamiliar temporal space. (And because Scotty is temporarily confined to an institution, some might wonder fir a bit if the whole last part is even real or not.) As for Judy's story being revealed...clearly, the movie's critical reputation hasn't really been harmed by that ;) and by us knowing the truth, we're no longer just seeing the movie through Scotty's eyes. We care about what he's doing to Judy and Novak's reluctance (which might be understandable under "normal" circumstances) is deepened. For the first part we only knew what Scotty knew, and we could hope that Scotty would solve the case for us. Now we know both sides, but we're paradoxically less empowered. We're watching the tragedy (or whatever it might be) unfold. Or...not. Excellent work!

[@dduval59]

The 4k of Vertigo is unbelievable, it looks like it was filmed this decade. Highly recommend

[@thisguydan]

One of the best videos yet, Dan. Phenomenal breakdown.

[@willschneider4616]

Herrmann (who has either one too many "r"s or one too many "n"s) is worth his own video. In the era of Korngold and Steiner, who were Austrian opera composers who brought over their late-Romantic sensibilities into mainstream film during the first two decades of the Golden Age, Herrmann was already experimenting with creating a synthesis between jazz, showtunes, modern and avant garde music, as well as popular music and of course more traditional classical orchestral music. Herrmann ended up paving the way for what composers would do from 1950-1975, and arguably still do. I don't think we could have had Alex North or Leonard Rosenmann or Elmer Bernstein or Jerry Goldsmith without Bernard Herrmann. And I don't think we could have had the nostalgic return of Romantic-era sounds with John Williams without the contrasting period influenced by Herrmann. If there are three names in film scoring, they're probably Korngold, Herrman, and Williams. Collectively they are the ternary form of film scoring.

[@Fanfanbalibar]

I enjoy this analysis !

[@oooSKYLIGHTooo]

Legit in my top 5 movies of all time. Love the extra information you gave with this. Great vid Dan. Thanks you Sir ;)

[@MelLovesMoviesAndBooks]

before i watch, i wanna say thanks for covering older films! I really like Vertigo! A Hitchcock fav!

[@VictorBoris-qz6jl]

I Always thought that VERTIGO was the best movie I ever saw since I saw it on NBC at my age of about fifteen. I am SO happy to see that it has finally been given it's just due. NUMBER ONE.

[@kingofthesharks]

27:20 Judy thought it was a horrifying punishing specter, but it turned out to be a nun-issue

[@nicholaskinney5112]

LOVE that theory about the ending, Dan-I never considered it before but I think it makes so much sense

[@ZakatomiPlaza156]

Great video Dan! I remember reading up on the production code you mentioned. I remember it being referred to as the Hayes Code? I honestly find it crazy how the movies of that era had to follow certain rules like that and some of the rules were just ridiculous. Imagine how different cinema would have been if this production code never existed!

[@paperbagman8913]

YES YES YES ALL THE WAY YES

[@spicybowtie]

This was a wonderful insight into the movie, thank you so much for sharing.

[@cwillism]

My favorite Hitchcock movie! And the ending is such a great gut punch

[@joshtorok1983]

I love that suggested ending Dan. That would have been so brilliant! Great video as always!

[@MisterBrimm]

Vertigo is in my pantheon. So good.

[@dfulce]

Was fortunate to have seen this along with the other 4 lost films in the cinema, one a week for 5 weeks ! Best movie going experience ever !

[@AntsMovies]

I got to see this in 70MM at the Musicbox in Chicago last year. So cool to see it in a theater

[@JimFinger-so9pi]

Many thanks for this highly informative, comprehensive and sophisticated analysis. Others have noted that revealing the Judy/Madeleine con early on helps justify Judy's willingness (albeit, reluctantly) to go along with her "transformation." But I would suggest even more importantly is that her decision to tear up the letter and try to salvage a relationship with Scottie begins the process of shifting the viewer's sympathy away from Scottie (who becomes increasingly more antagonistic) and more towards Judy. We need that added time to get to like Judy (after being unsympathetic knowing she was quite the willing participant in the original "con") in order to appreciate the tragedy of her death. Without those extra minutes, there's the risk of the viewer reacting along the lines of, "well, she got what she deserved."

[@BessieBopOrBach]

Wonderful, Dan. This is my favorite movie of all time and no small part of it is Bernard Herrmann's spellbinding music. Those unsettling dissonances were completely unprecedented in an American film.

[@avega940]

My favorite Alfred Hitchcock film of all time and top 20 films. I have a digital copy of it. Thank you @DanMurrell for the review.

[@colinthedogfromspaced9365]

Really enjoyed this. Cheers Dan. Watched The Game last night which I hadn't seen in years. Fincher was definitely channelling Vertigo.

[@PaleLittleGirl2]

I listened to the score while reading the book Annihilation. Great combo! Awesome review Dan, I'm so glad you have your own Chanel so you can go in depth like this. ❤️

[@colonellover]

#1 on my top list of best films I have ever seen

[@nekonyx]

As a graphic designer Saul bass has been a HUGE inspiration for me

[@davidnavarro5398]

Another great case for restoration is the one of the Apu Trilogy (Satyajit Ray, 1955,1956, 1959) by The Criterion Collection

[@tromboneboss7578]

Dan this was fantastic content. Incredible breakdown!

[@tomhahnl1927]

Wow a real 'classic' today, thanks Dan great Video!

[@rachelkatoch2869]

Thank you for your review! Fascinating.

[@dpMovies93]

Dan you are truly an inspiration and like Hitchcock you are also a master at what you do. Fantastic review/discussion on Vertigo!! I’ve been a fan of yours for many years now and you never disappoint!

[@legochickenguy4938]

I think they had to show the twist of Judy being "Madeleine" to the audience early because otherwise if she truly didn't know Scotty at all then it wouldn't make any sense why she would be willing to talk to him at all, much less go along with his crazy idea to bring "Madeleine" back to life.

[@joaobelo4916]

Fun Fact: In Portugal the translation for the movies's title is a major spoiler.

[@rasmusjonsson4653]

Love this series Dan! So entertaining, so much information 🙂

[@cynicalthoughts]

One of my all favs from Jimmy Stewart, second maybe to Rear window

[@hello2jello4mellow34]

Great review and analysis!

[@michaelleahy9265]

I too have Vertigo... the Blu-Ray, not the condition

[@BessieBopOrBach]

One of my obsessions with this movie is how Verhoeven echoes it in Basic Instinct, the Fourth Man, and Total Recall. Melina's earrings in Recall match the famous necklace in Vertigo, and of course Sharon Stone's look is based closely on Novak's in both movies (including a gray dress in the famous crotch scene in Instinct and a gray pantsuit in the "divorce" scene in Recall).

[@jeremiesmith9889]

Dan! love your take on your movies...would love to see you do a deep dive on classic action films from the 90’s like Die Hard or The Rock!

[@0axel078]

22:56 so you're saying... Scotty doesn't know?

[@dropkick79]

No one...BUT NO ONE...can break down the movies like Dan Murrell.

[@highwind1991]

Favorite film of all time.

[@bethperforms6191]

I love this movie SO MUCH.

[@davidfox5383]

My favorite Hitchcock film. Hitch himself was unsure whether he wanted that scene or not that reveals Judy's true identity. In fact, it was removed for a time and then reinserted, which is why the first shot of the reveal scene is slightly lower quality. I believe that at that point it was crucial to reveal her...we already know it is the same actress, and since Hitch was the master of suspense, the rest of the movie becomes a matter of "when will Scotty find out and what will he do?".

[@Fanfanbalibar]

and how great was Novak in both roles .......

[@Peter_Cordes]

I was wondering how it matters whether the film moves horizontally or vertically, if the area per frame is constant. But it's *not* constant: The other key point (that wasn't obvious to me except in hindsight) is that the width of the roll of film was and is still 35mm, so using 35mm as the *height* of each frame instead of the width gives you more area of film per frame, more (analogue) resolution from the same size and quality of film. (Of course, using more feet of film per minute.) To have the film move vertically, you'd need wider rolls of film, so it wouldn't be compatible with existing film stock, developing equipment, cans to hold film, etc. etc. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VistaVision points out that part of what made Vistavision obsolete only a few years after it appeared was finer-grained film stocks. (Which have the analogue / chemical equivalent of more pixels per area, so can get the same high resolution with the 35mm film moving vertically.) Apparently the idea of using more area per frame lives on with IMAX and OMNIMAX, moving the film horizontally. Even though they already use a new format, 70mm. I guess to have as much film area per frame, it would have had to be even wider than 70mm, and maybe that's a problem for the film not getting tangled or something, or some other reason.

[@Alexander_Chase22]

Would love to see more classic/niche films from this series. Doubt they'll get the same views though!

[@kipper104]

I recently watched this film as part of a film bucket list. I thought it was really strong except their initial romancing wasn't developed enough. I was really taken aback at how quickly Jonny climbed into bed with a women he believed to be his friend's wife. I didn't understand how he didn't really have any reservations and that kinda stopped me getting on board with him as a character

[@Fanfanbalibar]

Are you such an "innocent"???????

[@davidnavarro5398]

It's fun because, despite I think today that Psycho is the best film from Hitchcock, everytime I watch it I like more and more.

[@paperbagman8913]

Bernard Herman started with citizen Kane and ended with taxi Driver. Nice

[@Fanfanbalibar]

Well before that : "Mrs Muir and her ghost" (the ghost being Rex Harrison)

[@adthomp]

the one scene I wish Hitchcock had cut and probably regretted was showing us the twist that she hadn't died

[@TepidShark]

It's a fair criticism but why Hitchcock revealed what's going on with Judy so early ties into his definition of Suspense vs Surprise. His example of surprise is two people having lunch and suddenly a bomb goes off while suspense is two people are having lunch and you keep cutting to there being a bomb under the table while the characters are innocently carrying on with their conversation. In the former it's a sudden shock but in the latter because you the audience have info that the characters don't have, you are completely on edge the whole time the characters are having their conversation. By revealing what's going on with Judy so early you are constantly thinking about is Scottie going to find out or what will happen when he does, instead of wondering the whole time why is Kim Novak playing this other character.

[@Spyweb88]

Whoa that Better Help ad break came at a really weird time!

[@antoniojeandenis7681]

My favorite movie of all time. The tragedy they put Scottie through

[@Fanfanbalibar]

That's why the did "Bell, book and candle" afterwards just to rest a bit ! (I mean Novak and Stewart) !

[@beast9839]

Dan and Mara, Is this available on Netflix or Hulu? I have never seen it. Thanks for a great show!

[@Jeremy32Miller]

Watched it recently probably my favorite Hitchcock movie

[@CannonKnight]

She faked her death? Uh, spoilers! Actually, I've never seen this movie, but now I'm curious to see how it holds up today. I sense a huge helping of disbelief suspending.

[@kingofthesharks]

19:45 that dream sequence actually kinda gave me a nightmare (or made it hard to sleep for me) when i was younger. Something about the music and imagery was just personally creepy to me.

[@billolsen4360]

Being a car nut, I often wonder if Hitchcock was pulling a pun on us since Scottie is driving around in a DeSoto Adventurer. He certainly gets himself into adventure on this case, probably a much more remarkable one than he ever had working for the police department. I can't see any other actors of the time able to bring off either Madeline/Judy or Scottie. I like the plot reveal early in the picture since we now know something that Scottie doesn't. It also turns the movie from an investigation into two character studies, especially when Scottie realizes who Judy is and what Gavin engineered, realizing he's been used. As a law enforcement officer, the thing that probably hurt Scottie the most was to be a tool to help a criminal get away with the most serious crime there is. Scottie is vulnerable but not weak. After Judy's accidental death, I don't think he's the type of person to throw himself off of the bell tower. Instead, I expect him to act like a cop, inform the DA of what he's learned and work to get Elster apprehended, maybe going back to work at the PD in that "desk" job he derided earlier to close out at least one more investigation.

[@kingofthesharks]

Top 3 Hitchcock film for me, along with Psycho and Strangers on a Train. The twists, music, and psychology were infinitely engaging and the film holds up incredibly. Wish it was more available on popular streaming services for younger generations. Funnily, I recently watched Basic Instinct via Netflix and it kinda gave me sexy Vertigo vibes again =P

[@ken.droid-the-unique]

What about Rope? I thought Rope was better than Vertigo, perhaps only by a slight margin but still.

[@Fanfanbalibar]

As Maria Callas said (she was our top opera singer of the whole 20th entury) : "you cannot compare champagne and Coca - Cola" (Coca Cola being Basic instinct for me)

[@abyoungrome136]

Greatest film of all time in my opinion... Also is that a signed cricket bat in the background?

[@raymeedc]

Seriously marred with an inexplicable, unsatisfying ending.

[@lincolnlu9869]

Alan!

[@vincenthalfprice9930]

Stay tuned!

[@chasse123b9]

how would Scotty possibly explain his presence at the same scene where he got off from the first Madeleine's death and here he is again with another dead woman-

[@Fanfanbalibar]

That's not our problem, the film is finished ! You can write a sequel !

[@jasongeorgis3483]

Did anyone else see the thumbnail before reading the title and think Dan was talking about The Grinch?

[@tomislavcehajic9642]

I love Spellbound, Dial M For Murder, The man ho knew to much, Shadow of a Doubt, Strangers on a Train, Notorious, Lady Vanishes, Rope, Birds, The Paradine case, Lifeboat,Rebecca, Suspicion only Hitchcock movie that his actress win oscar Joan Fontaine but to be true Fontaine was snubs year before for Rebecca, and so many other Hitchcock movies but 4 best and total masterpices are 4 Rear Window, 3 Psycho, 2 North by Northwest and 1 Vertigo one of best movie ever made, but to be true i love all Hitchcock movies

[@delishdida]

I don't think you can categorize it as necrophilia

[@brion0220]

Of Hitchcock's work, I still need to see 'The man who knew too much' (2nd version) & To catch a thief.

[@branagain]

Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors but for me, Vertigo is the one that has lost its appeal over time, at least with me. I think Psycho and Rear Window are his true masterpieces. The story of Vertigo doesn't click with me. I don't buy that Gavin got Judy to concoct this scheme. My love for Psycho, Rear Window, North by Northwest have grown. I also think that To Catch a Thief and Man Who Knew Too Much are criminally underrated. They belong in the same company as other highly regarded films. I will say, Bernard Herrmann's score in Vertigo is great, and the Saul Bass's title sequences are one of the best in film history.

[@heatheraggus7501]

Rear Window is my favourite too.

[@Browzyo]

The title of the italian release is bafflingly "The woman who lived twice", essentially spoiling the movie

[@tomislavcehajic9642]

Kim Novak one of most beautiful woman in history of Hollywood

[@MovieMicah]

Best Hitchcock movie

[@MerylCheap]

I love this movie. There’s no movie really like it. A common complaint is that it’s extremely misogynistic. Which it is! But I think that’s part of the point of the movie. It’s about the toxic masculinity of not only Jimmy Stewart’s character but Hitchcock himself. In many ways, the main character is Hitchcock.

[@jeffthompson9622]

Tippi Heston addresses Hitchcock's sexual harassment of her and his subsequent sabotage of her career in her autobiography.

[@Fanfanbalibar]

DON'T MISTAKE TIPPI HEDDEN FOR CHARLTON HESTON !!!!@@jeffthompson9622

[@vishwanathh5029]

What is a cricket bat doing on Dan's shelf🤔

[@dows6109]

day 8 of me waiting for dan's demon slayer review💀

[@DanMurrellMovies]

It’s coming! I’ve been insanely busy and I have lots of thoughts. Didn’t want to rush it out just for it to be done.

[@eustatic3832]

Savor the antici...

[@mc3490]

In all my years of watching schmoedown I can’t believe it took me until today to follow the GOAT.

[@malkav81]

One of us... One of us... One of us.

[@akacheddarmountain]

Like Scorsese said😅😅😅 yeah he said it.

[@eustatic3832]

So Edith Head = Edna Mode?

[@falkofscrum]

Are you one of the people who believe it belongs on the #1 on the Sight & Sound poll, over Citizen Kane? Because i honestly don't know if I do

[@Serjohn]

i really i didnt like vertigo its full of plot holes, for a ghost reveal it doesnt add up, they for sure werent ghosts before the reveal two stars

[@josephfisher426]

I guess my impression of this movie was spoiled by Mel Brooks. And by the non-comedic imitators. I saw it after seeing numerous things that referenced it and thought it was above par for a Hitchcock, but the best?

[@tomislavcehajic9642]

I dont agry with you Dan about Novak was best actress lady in Vertigo she was great but Joan Fontaine was little better in Rebecca because that movie is all about her, Novak is for me second best

[@Fanfanbalibar]

It's stupid: we never see rebeca in the whole movie because she's already deadand Joan Fontaine is the shy young "nurse" for an old lady ! No, the whole movie is all about rRebecca and only a portrait of her! You do confound things ! Novak was and still is the best for having played both roles in a complex movie (Sir Alfred's greatest one) !

[@vercoda9997]

I’m not a fan. It’s too... Just too. Now, if you want a real classic, 1939’s A Matter or Life and Death (also the late Dickie Attenborough’s first film), That’s thematically and technically more engaging and impressive.

[@bethperforms6191]

I love Vertigo, but I have to say, I adore A Matter of Life and Death as well. Powell and Pressburger just don’t get enough play.

[@chazjohannsen]

waiting for the Demon Slayer review......

[@DanMurrellMovies]

Soon! Lots on my plate!

[@MichaelWutsch]

I honestly thought this movie was terrible and extremely melodramatic.