Vertigo

Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, US, 1958, 128 mins.

Cast. James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes.

Showing as part of our Held Film Season this is the brilliant but despicably cynical view of human obsession from Hitchcock. Stewart is excellent as the neurotic detective employed by an old pal to trail his wandering wife, only to fall for her himself and then crack up when she commits suicide. Then one day he sees a woman in the street who reminds him of the woman who haunts him... Hitchcock focuses on Stewart's strained psychological stability; the result inevitably involves a lessening of suspense, but allows for an altogether deeper investigation of guilt, exploitation, and obsession. There's no denying that this is the director at the very peak of his powers.

All films can be booked online at www.plymouthartscentre.org, by phoning 01752 206114 in advance or on the door subject to availability.