A2 FILM STUDIES FM3 CLOSE CRITICAL STUDY HITCHCOCKS VERTIGO REVISION We are going to watch what have been

en identified as 3 key sequences from Vertigo. You have chosen a focus that relates either to a key debate/issue as a result of the films critical reception OR a critical perspective / framework such as Feminism. TASK: As you watch each sequence, try to find as many examples from the extract that you understand and relate the sequence to the focus you have chosen. Use the example below to help:

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: e.g. Spectatorship

Inside the restaurant, the audience are moved closer to Elsters wife and we see her from behind, this makes the audience curious about Elsters wife and anticipate meeting her. This is similar to how Scottie is also introduced to her and so Scotties anticipation of meeting Madeline mirrors our own. The fact that Hitchcock has taken us to Madeline first suggests he is conscious of our role as spectators and our relationship with Madeline, just like Scotties, is crucial to our engagement in the film. Just before Madeline runs to the Tower, there is a sense of equilibrium as Scottie and Madeline embrace. However, Madelines ambiguous dialogue followed by her running into and then up the tower creates much suspense for the audience and, just like Scottie, we could begin to believe that maybe she is possessed. Hitchcock has made us experience Scotties relationship with Madeline from Scotties point of view and so plays with our reception at this point the sudden disruption of the equilibrium creates suspense for the viewer we know Scottie is happy but also know that he wont be able to reach the top of the tower to follow Madeline in the same way that we cant sitting in our cinema seat. This therefore heightens the tension in the sequence, yet creates a twist in the plot and increases our enjoyment with the Thriller.

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Key Issue - Spectatorship

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Key Issue - Plot & Narrative Structure

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Key Issue Pure Cinema - Camera

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Key Issue Pure Cinema Mise-En-Scene

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Key Issue Pure Cinema - Sound

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Critical Perspective The Auteur Theory

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence

Focus: Critical Perspective Feminist Theory Representation of Women

Elsters Wife Chapter 5

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence

Focus: Critical Perspective Feminist Theory Representation of Masculinity

Elsters Wife Chapter 5

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence

Focus: Critical Perspective Psychoanalytical Theory Fantasy Realised / Rescue Fantasy

Elsters Wife Chapter 5

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30

Key Sequence Elsters Wife Chapter 5

Focus: Critical Perspective Marxist Cultural Theory

The Tower Chapter 20

The Transformation Chapter 30