Vertigo = Ernie's Sequence

Question 1

Colour =

Answer 1

• Stylistic choice of the colour red
• Hitchcock draws our attention to the distinct and overwhelming red
• Classic constructions of red are danger and lust
• Encodes particular ideas to emphasize Scottie’s lust for Madeline and the danger surrounding him
• Everyone else wears dark neutral colours in comparison to an emerald green dress, her dress enhances her beauty and describes Scottie’s obsession

Question 2

Cinematography =

Answer 2

• Sweeping shot across the restaurant to then zoom in on Madeline
• Hitchcock’s technical competence to develop lighter cameras to then sweep around the room (Also used in ‘Rebecca’)
• The camera has a downward descent to Madeline which is accompanied by the violin score to represent his downward spiral into obsession. This can also represent the camera falling for her
• The camera positions her within a frame like stance to enhance the idea that women are there to be viewed. Hitchcock was known for poor treatment and objectification of women. From his POV, he sees an overly idealised and romantic shallow focus. The colour and lighting is also enhanced
• Close up profile shot of Madeline which positions Madeline there to be viewed. Hitchcock positions women to be looked at
• Madeline is positioned so we see her back which denies us the initial view of her face
• Madeline is positioned to be a work of art and admired from a distance

Question 3

Mise en scene =

Answer 3

• Use of carnations as a reoccurring prop
• Madeline is the only blond person within the film which is a frequent choice of Hitchcock to have a blonde protagonist
• Her costume has an exposed low back dress which is an application of the male gaze theory and assuming the camera looks at her from the point of lust
• The prop of the mirror is narrative foreshadowing and the themes of duality is established as there is two present of Elster and Madeline showing us it’s not their true identity

Question 3

Lighting =

Answer 3

• Lack of natural light to represent Scottie being entrapped to appear claustrophobic. This highlights Scottie being trapped with his own obsessive desires
• The saturation increases as Madeline passes him which suggests the camera is Scottie’s point of view

Question 4

Sound =

Answer 4

• Use of a sweeping violin creates an atmosphere of wistfulness and longing
• Then drowns out the diegetic hum of the conversations
• A swelling, dreamlike non-diegetic music
• Hermann’s romantic score takes over to represent Scottie’s fascination

Question 5

Auteur =

Answer 5

• Use of colour to create symbolism. The use of green and red which are prominent and reoccuring throughout the film
• Explores themes of obsession which manipulates the viewers perception of Scottie. Madeline is an idealised women where Scottie becomes obsessive and manipulative of women
• Scottie is positioned as a voyeur, the camera allows the audience to become voyeurs which is uncomfortable. Hitchcock uses the camera to create a male gaze where female characters are objects of male gaze to be admired and controlled
• Hitchcock uses the camera to objectify women focussing on their bodies and subjects to be looked at. Madeline is framed in ways that emphaisize her beauty and mystery
• Hitchcock utilises pure cinema to tell a story visually with no dialogue. This aligns with the male gaze where Hitchcock is able to create an idealised dreamlike version of Madeline

Question 6

Context =

Answer 6

• The Hays Code censored anything such as perverse behaviour which includes psychological obsession. However Hitchcock was able to push the boundaries using stylistic cinematography choices. Hitchcock shows Scottie’s sexual obsession and objectification of Madeline framing her as if she is a painting. Hitchcock subverts the code by embedding the themes through pure cinematic techniques instead of visual language
• Madeline reflects the 1950’s expectations women of women were they were expected to conform to passive characters of beauty rather than strong characters with agency
• James Stewart is typically known for his likeable and quintessential everyman characters who are trustworthy and moral. However, Hitchcock is able to subvert these expectations creating a morally complex character as we witness Scottie’s psychological deterioration. The manipulation and objectification of Madeline subverts the typical good guy role