Most of us know Hitchcock from Psycho, but bringing Norman Bates to life isn’t his biggest achievement. Some would say Vertigo is Hitchcock’s best movie ever—and we are inclined to agree. In fact, it has been named the “greatest movie of all time.” That’s right—not Titanic or Shawshank, but Vertigo.

But what is there in this movie about John Stewart making a constant poker face that we’ve all come to love?

Well, the movie is about the fear of heights—acrophobia—and here’s what we think about it.

Vertigo: NOT the Fear of Heights

First things first, this movie is one of the reasons why people think “vertigo” is the name we should give to the fear of heights. That is not true. Vertigo is just the sensation of falling when you’re not falling. Spinning is often associated with the falling.

In Hitchcock’s movie, the imagery is extremely interesting. The master of suspense uses high-angle shots to give viewers a taste of what the fear of heights looks like. It is a movie that, if you watch it on a big screen, can make you feel dizzy.

Roof Chases and a Disoriented James Stewart

Hitchcock doesn’t hold back in Vertigo. He doesn’t just want to pull the audiences in with his mighty artistic craftsmanship. He wants to do more. His elaborate rooftop chases, the memorable spiraling concentric circles, and the haunting image of James Stewart falling, falling, falling—all tend to make you feel as if the ground beneath your feet was no more.

We think that Hitchcock does a marvelous job of explaining why something as harmless as heights can be so dreadful for people who suffer from acrophobia. They might be tough men acting as private detectives, but they still have an Achilles heel: the fear of heights.

Every time Stewart goes higher, the stakes are higher. He feels anxious and scared out of his mind—and you, the audience, feel the terror right along. Since Stewart plays the hero, you also care for his character. Which is why, when you seem him hanging from a building, you are anxious too.

Do the Symptoms Check Out?

In real life, the fear of heights manifests itself in these ways:

• Sweating
• Raised blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness
• Feeling of sickness

Does James Stewart’s character depict these symptoms? Sure, he does. In fact, his expressions are perfectly indicative of the fear he feels inside of him. The man is terrified, and you can tell. We think that Hitchcock has navigated dizziness and heights quite well.

Got the Fear of Heights?

You aren’t the only one. 3–5% of the population is scared of heights. If you are, too, get help immediately. You don’t have to go all the way to NY if you don’t want to. Rekha, at Blossom Hypnosis, will come to you—via Skype. So get in touch today! For clients in Rochester, Rekha offers in-person sessions as well.