Vertigo opening scene

Vertigo:

 1.) The opening scene poses a number of enigmas. Give an example of two:
One enigma in the opening scene of Vertigo is 'who is the man on the edge of the building?' This is because it isn't clear to us at this point if the man is a detective working for the police, and if so why is he chasing the criminal. Will this be an important event in the film? Another question the audience may ask is if the man survives? This is because at the end of the scene it doesn't show the outcome of what happens to the detective so it could lead the audience to question how he got out of the situation.

2.) What is the purpose of the opening sequence?
The opening scene of Vertigo shows Scottie moments away from death. He is overcome by fear and letting go seems the only way out of the situation. In some ways Madeline can be seen as Scottie's foil as she is attracted to suicide and death however she also at the same time fears death so can be seen as similar to Scottie.

3.) What can we learn about Scottie in the opening sequence?
In the opening scene of Vertigo the audience learn the Scottie is a policeman/ detective. We can also learn that he has been mentally affected by his experience in the opening sequence and it has forced him to resign from his job. This topic is then carried throughout the film as he has to overcome his fear of heights and we see him spiral mentally so we follow his story in the film.

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