https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0 Vertigo en-us 2019-11-20 12:00:51 UTC 2025-11-17 20:53:35 UTC hello@padlet.com alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926514  After World War 1 the German film industry was very successful and aimed to attract the audience through spectacles (this was known as "cinema of attraction.") It was influenced by the French movement of Film D'art. They focused on complex narratives through characters' experiences. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is one of the most famous films and one of the first to use German Expressionism. The film was known for its eccentric mise-en-scene, the complex story line and the unreliable narrator. Rather than making the mise-enscene realistic it, the aim was it to make it as distorted as possible to throw the audience of balance. Lighting, staging, special effects and makeup were used to give this image. It was used to show the inner psychology of the characters. Many films which use German expressionism are highly subjective. They are anti-authoritatively themed with exaggerated mise-en-scene, subjective points of views and plot twist endings. It was all very experimental. Other examples of German expressionistic films are Metropolis and Nosferatu.]]> 2019-11-20 12:02:41 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926514 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926611 2019-11-20 12:02:57 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926611 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926638 2019-11-20 12:03:02 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926638 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926670 As I have stated before some elements are the exaggerated mise-en-scene to show the character's inner psychology (also created by lighting, staging, special effects and makeup). They also have subjective views from unreliable narrators as well as psychological plot twists. Some other elements are:
- Fluid camera movements which enter the scene.
-Silent films
- Characters' experience are the main theme
-Performance is melodramatic
-Grand epic spaces
-Morally complex]]> 2019-11-20 12:03:06 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926670 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926744 Hitchcock was an avid user of German expressionism as he he started his film work in Germany under the infamous Fritz Lang. It's prevalent throughout all his films, including Vertigo.

For example there are elements of Pure Cinema. When Scottie is following Madeline, who is actually Judy, Scottie nor 'Madeline' have any dialogue. Rather the only sounds you can hear is the music. The music captures the motion of tension yet romance perfectly, making the film more engaging. However the elements of romance are also confusing as the on the first watch the viewers are against the romance as Madeline is married. However that isn't Madeline but it's actually Judy. This intrigues the audience to watch more. The fact that there is no dialogue builds more tension as the audience are unclear on what is exactly happening.]]> 2019-11-20 12:03:18 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926744 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926783 2019-11-20 12:03:22 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413926783 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413927537 2019-11-20 12:05:19 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/413927537 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414545766 2019-11-21 10:24:00 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414545766 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414546349 2019-11-21 10:25:45 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414546349 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414547113 2019-11-21 10:27:54 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414547113 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414547380 2019-11-21 10:28:40 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414547380 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414551060 Another element of German Expressionism within Vertigo is that the film is based entirely on the character's experiences. Majority of film is founded on a narrative as are all of Hitchcock's films. The features of its narrative all work together to create the suspense that keeps the spectators engaged with it. The audience for most of the time watches the film from Scottie’s point of view and because of this the narration is very restricted. Restricted narrative is a classical way of creating suspense; such a restriction creates tension and makes the spectators pay attention to every single moment in the film in anticipation of something important to happen. However the entirety of the film is a MacGuffin, which shocks the reader when they realize the elements they focused on are all irrelevant.]]> 2019-11-21 10:39:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/414551060 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415657126 The MacGuffin is also an element of German Expressionism. Gavin Elster invites Scottie seeking for help as his wife has been possessed by a demon called Carlotta and that Scottie needs to look out for her. In the end we find out that the Carlotta possession was fake and that Scottie was following Judy, a lookalike of Madeline. Gavin only used him so tat he could kill the real Madeline and inherit her wealth. A twist like this had been very new to Hollywood films and had enticed the audience, making the film a big success. The audience enjoyed the thrill and entertainment of  this plot twist. 

In addition to all these elements the most important element of German Expressionism is evident in Vertigo, the Mise-en-Scene and Grand Epic Spaces. Throughout the film there are slight indications to show the setting of San Francisco (the photos of the golden bridge in Elster's office and the same bridge can be seen in the opening). In addition Madeline's wealth is highlighted through the ships seen in the window in Elster's office.

]]> 2019-11-23 14:49:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415657126 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415663260 These subtle hints make a lot more sense when the audience re watch the film upon understanding the MacGuffin. This makes the film even more thrilling and entertaining as all these hints piece together to revel the real plot of Gavin stealing his wife's wealth by killing her, revealing how well made and how smartly Hitchcock produced the film.

In conclusion, Hitchcock used a lot of German Expressionism, even more than the few examples I have mentioned, to make Vertigo a huge success through it's thrilling twist and well crafted elements such as the Mise-en-scene and even more.]]> 2019-11-23 15:25:55 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415663260 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667675 2019-11-23 15:45:39 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667675 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667740 2019-11-23 15:46:10 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667740 alamh018_315 https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667850 2019-11-23 15:46:58 UTC https://padlet.com/alamh018_315/38os69w36ma0/wish/415667850