The great movie scenes: Hitchcock's Vertigo

Bruce Isaacs, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, University of Sydney
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imageJames Stewart and Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958).Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

What makes a film a classic? In a new monthly column, film scholar Bruce Isaacs looks at a single sequence from a classic film and analyses its brilliance.

He starts here with Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) – recently voted the greatest film ever made in a Sight & Sound poll.

In this fabulously stylised scene, set at Ernie’s restaurant, Scottie (James Stewart) lays eyes on the enigmatic Madeleine (Kim Novak) for the first time.

Vertigo, 1958image

Bruce Isaacs does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.

Authors: Bruce Isaacs, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, University of Sydney

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