About

Experience the timeless allure of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo in its purest form—from a brand-new 35mm print, premiering at the festival.

Starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, this iconic 1958 thriller renowned for its gripping narrative and use of visual effects, follows a retired San Francisco detective, John "Scottie" Ferguson, suffering from acrophobia. Hired to prevent an old friend's wife from committing suicide, Scottie embarks on an obsessive inquiry into the hauntingly beautiful woman (Novak), who may be deeply disturbed. Hitchcock's masterful direction and Bernard Herrmann’s unforgettable score create a cinematic experience that has captivated audiences for decades.

Vertigo’s vivid colours and intricate details come to life with unparalleled clarity and depth through VistaVision and Technicolour. Utilising special diffusion filters and matte painting to create incredible atmosphere, the film is also considered to have popularised the "dolly zoom" technique, creating the iconic disorienting effect central to the film’s theme.

The special effects and general plot may have puzzled contemporary audiences, as the film was not well-received, but it endures as both critically acclaimed and enduringly popular. The film was regarded as number one in BFI’s Sight & Sound critics' poll of the greatest films of all time in 2012, and in 2022 it had only slipped to the silver medal position. Vertigo remains the benchmark in the art of suspense cinema.

Print made by the BFI National Archive with funding from the National Lottery and the additional support of donors to the Keep Film on Film campaign.

DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock

CAST: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Raymond Bailey

YEAR: 1958

COUNTRY: USA

PROJECTION FORMAT: 35mm

DURATION: 128 mins