Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) Essay Essays

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) Essay Essays Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) Essay Essay Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) Essay Essay Vertigo is a 1958 movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock that has stood the trial of clip in the horror genre. It is considered to be one of the seminal movies in the genre non merely because it set the tone for the movies to follow but besides because it exhibited legion characteristics and techniques that would function to revolutionize the manner in which films were made. The camera angles. usage of infinite. filming. particular effects and sound all contribute to the overall consequence achieved. As such. this essay will analyze each of the above with a position to reasoning that Hitchcock rejuvenated the horror genre with Vertigo and provided a maestro category in utilizing cinematic techniques for consequence. The first technique of note is the manner in which camera angles are used in order to make an ambiance of fright. giving the feeling that the characters are traveling in one barbarous circle. The usage of the camera â€Å"†¦ simulates panicked feelings of acrophobia ( fright of highs ) felt by Scottie Ferguson ( James Stewart ) . † ( Pramaggiore A ; Wallis. 2004. p. 127 ) . For illustration. at one point in the movie. a stairway is filmed from the really top. This non merely alludes to the cyclical nature of the narrative because the bell tower stairway is so round but besides narrows the shooting. The semblance of falling from a great tallness is fostered in this shooting and so in others. like that in which Stewart appears to be standing on the shelf. Furthermore. the camera angles besides link straight to the semblance of infinite: â€Å"†¦ serves as a templet for cardinal subjects: the topography of a metropolis and its environing countryside matched by quandary of sexual pick. guilt and compulsion. † ( Orr. 2005. p. 137 ) . The position from the bell tower ever appears to be black. therefore mirroring the overtones of the secret plan. The sound used besides highlights the cyclical nature of the narrative. In an interview in Sight and Sound. Scorsese pointed out that â€Å"†¦ the music is besides built around spirals and circles. fulfillment and desperation. Herrmann truly understood what Hitchcock was traveling for – he wanted to perforate to the bosom of compulsion. † ( 2004 ) . Scorsese’s appraisal is right and this is typified by the scenes in which Madeline and Judy fall to their deceases. The sound is similar in both cases and actively signifies the sarcasm that the get downing point of the film is besides the terminal. However. it is non merely the usage of music that has a important impact of the tone of the film but besides the silence. Hitchcock uses silence improbably good and merely provides duologue as and when he has to. For illustration. even the confession scene at the denouement of the film is non as full of vocabulary as it may be in other movies. Wordss are used meagerly and to do a point. Particular effects and cinematographic techniques are non used every bit meagerly as the duologue in an effort to convey the tenseness desired. Hitchcock doubtless used rear projection in Vertigo: â€Å"Foreground and background tend to look starkly offprint. partially because of the absence of dramatis personae shadows from foreground to play down. partially because all background planes tend to look every bit diffuse. † ( Bordwell A ; Thompson. 1996. p. 244 ) . This is an illustration of both of these characteristics and there are legion illustrations of this in the movie. such as the point at which Novak and Stewart snog against the background of the ocean. The histrions were filmed and so imposed on a natural background. therefore waiving the usage of shadow. As such. there is something innately unnatural about it. which follows the secret plan. The movie stock is besides color and this besides helps to extinguish the usage of visible radiation and dark. therefore enhances this peculiar consequence. In decision. there can be small uncertainty that Hitchcock rejuvenated the horror genre with Vertigo and provided a maestro category in utilizing cinematic techniques for consequence. There are legion techniques used within the film to assist lend to the cyclical and slightly claustrophobic atmosphere. Again. this serves to rise the tenseness. The saving usage of duologue and first-class usage of sound effects. when paired with the movie stock and clever camera angles. surely enhance the narrative and finally allowed Hitchcock to make one of the best cinematic illustrations of horror in history. Bibliography Bordwell. David A ; Thompson. Kristin. 1996. Film Art: An Introduction. 5th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Orr. John. 2005. Hitchcock and Twentieth Century Cinema. London: Wallflower Press. Pramaggiore. Maria A ; Wallis. Tom. 2005. Movie: A Critical Introduction. London: Laurence King Publishing. Scorsese. Martin. 2004. The Best Music in Film. Sight and Sound ( September 2004 ) . [ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. bfi. org. uk/sightandsound/filmmusic/detail. php? t=d A ; q=42 [ Accessed 10 May 2010 ] . Vertigo. 1958. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. USA: Paramount Pictures.