Which film is about a man who develops a romantic obsession with the image of an enigmatic woman?

The 1958 film which is the haunting tale of a man who develops a romantic obsession with the image of an enigmatic woman is "Vertigo". In the movie, an ex-police officer who suffers from an intense fear of heights is hired to prevent an old friend's wife from committing suicide. The circumstances, however, are all not as they seem.

"Vertigo" is an American psychological thriller film that was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock. The story was based on the 1954 novel 'D'entre les morts' (From Among the Dead) by Boileau-Narcejac. The film's screenplay was written by Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor. Public film distribution was handled by Paramount Pictures. The film stars James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson, Kim Novak as Judy Barton and Madeleine Elster, Barbara Bel Geddes as Marjorie "Midge" Wood,

Tom Helmore as Gavin Elster, Henry Jones as the coroner, and Raymond Bailey as Scottie's doctor.

"Vertigo" received mixed reviews upon initial release. Today, in 2019 it is considered a classic film from Hitchcock. It is now one of the defining works as part of Alfred Hitchcock's career. Upon its original release, "Vertigo" broke even, earning $2.8 million in gross revenue in the USA against its $2,479,000 cost in US dollars.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

14 Comments

filmnut

It isn’t that my Mother lacked imagination, but she was always telling me “ You won’t understand films like “The Man that knew too Much”, “North by Northwest”, “Vertigo” or “The Birds”. Dad would be flying or TDY at Guam. I was her eldest and we would go to the Drive-In. After the Cartoons my younger brothers would fall asleep in the back of the Station Wagon. I would sit up front with Mom. I loved the Movies.

filmnut

Love those film questions . . . Hitchcock the Master.

Jerry Kimball

Actually the Otto Preminger film "Laura" (1944) is a better answer to this question than "Vertigo" (1958). A detective becomes obsessed with the portrait of a woman whose murder he is investigating, etc. The movie stars Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb along with Vincent Price.

mainjim

Kim Novack...woweee!!!

Char

Joseph A. Robitaille, I agree

Char

I didn't know that I knew it was Hitchcock but not it's content..

Ellen Sheehan

In the movie, Stewart becomes obsessed with a woman played by Kim Novak. She is not an image. She may not be who she claims to be but she is alive. Later, Stewart becomes obsessed with remaking someone in her image. That is not how the question was asked. The film in which a man becomes obsessed with a painting is “Laura” - an excellent movie, as well

catmom

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Alfred Hitchcock movies. They are very chilling & I still pick up on little things most times that I see them. My favorites are The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock's 2 dogs were actually in the movie) & Psycho too. I saw Anthony Perkins in person in N.Y.C. in Equus. He had incredible concentration. I was hoping that The Birds would be my 3 cats favorite movie, haha. I also love Vincent Price too.

Edie Koller

I have this movie on dvd as I have all of hitchcock movies. This was with Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart.

JohnnyRoulette

Jerry Kimball, I was looking for that option after reading the question. Good call.

belindawilliams

filmnut, I just read your bio, thank you for your service🇺🇸

John W Shreve

Nick Esasky, a Major League Baseball player had to retire early after contracting vertigo as a result of an ear infection.

Richard D. Boyle

I was sent TDY to Taiwan from Guam in 1959 during the Chinese shelling of the off shore islands of Quemoy and Matsu. At a radar site on the northern tip, we had one current movie to watch every evening for 3 months. I can quote entire scenes of Vertigo but I have no interest in watching it...again.