FILM IN FOCUS: Vertigo

In this wordless scene from Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958), private eye Scottie (Jimmy Stewart) follows his college friend’s wife Madeleine (Kim Novak) on her mysterious wanderings.

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Discussion Questions

After watching this clip from Vertigo, consider the questions below. Then submit your response.

Question 1.

Explain in as much detail as possible how the framing shapes the meaning of this sequence. What does it say about Scottie’s point of view and Madeleine’s position as object of that point of view?

Question 2.

Towards the conclusion of the sequence, the image contains a remarkable “double image.” Why is this shot so disconcerting and complicated?

FILM IN FOCUS: Vertigo

Instructions

Video

Discussion Questions

Question 1.

Question 2.