Scorsese Names “One of the Greatest Films Ever Made”

Martin Scorsese once praised Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo, calling it “one of the greatest films ever made.” The legendary director shared his admiration for the psychological thriller, which stars James Stewart as a retired detective struggling with vertigo and Kim Novak as the woman he becomes obsessed with during an investigation.

Scorsese told reporters that the film’s intense focus on obsession and its striking visual style, especially its use of greens and reds, left a lasting impression on him.

“I saw it on its first run in VistaVision. It was perplexing at first, but I liked it and couldn’t say why. It was quite different from what people expected of Hitchcock, and the story was so odd, so purely emotional,” he explained.

He also discussed the film with fellow director David Fincher, who described Vertigo as “odd, perverse and almost poetic,” though Fincher personally favors Hitchcock’s Psycho and Rear Window. Scorsese, however, said the film’s immersive story and atmosphere are what draw him back every time.

“I never care about where I am in the picture. These are probably the things that bother Fincher; I get lost in the story, in the atmosphere and the images, just like Stewart does. I look forward to that each time I see the film,” he added.

Vertigo was adapted from the 1954 novel D’entre les morts (From Among the Dead) by Boileau-Narcejac and features a screenplay by Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor. It was filmed in San Francisco and locations including Mission San Juan Bautista, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Cypress Point on 17-Mile Drive, and Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The film is also known for pioneering the dolly zoom, a camera technique that visually represents the main character’s fear of heights, now commonly called the “Vertigo effect.”

Although critics had mixed reactions when the film was first released, Vertigo has since been recognized as Hitchcock’s masterpiece. In 1989, it was among the first 25 films selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

The film frequently appears on American Film Institute lists, ranking ninth in 2007, and in the 2012 Sight & Sound poll, it overtook Citizen Kane as the greatest film ever made, though it ranked second in the 2022 edition.

Vertigo continues to captivate audiences with its haunting story, technical innovation, and unforgettable performances. Scorsese’s praise emphasizes the film’s enduring impact on both viewers and filmmakers.

In my opinion, Scorsese’s admiration makes sense, Vertigo is a masterclass in suspense, storytelling, and visual style. It’s the kind of movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. What do you think about Vertigo’s place in film history? Share your thoughts in the comments.