The ending of Vertigo is perfect. Scottie's fear of heights comes full circle. He's lost his love not once but twice and in his mind both losses are his own fault. Standing on the same ledge which has cost him everything he's ever loved he's faced with his real weakness, his inability to love something real.
Hitchcock leaves it to us what Scottie does next. Does he jump?
A very interesting question.
I think he probably does jump. He's just got rid of his fear of heights, and at the same time he's realized that what he loved wasn't real. The former provides him a chance to do that, and the latter provides a reason to do that, so it is very possible that he does jump.
It'd also be rather ironic: He's afraid of heights because he's afraid to fall to his death, but when he gets over the fear, he's willing to do just that.
Rsgre is right (about the Scotch), at least according to the additional ending Hitchcock had to stick on (see my other post on the ending).
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher.
What additional ending?
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I posted this elsewhere, but on my DVD in the bonus features is a "Foreign Censorship Ending" which Hitch reluctantly appended, and which shows Midge listening to a radio news item about Elster being pursued across Europe, with an arrest/extradition imminent. Scottie enters the appartment, she pours him a scotch and they both stand silently at the window. Apparently foreign sensibilities required that we know Elster didn't get away with it!
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher.
I think I heard about this ending once before, maybe it was from you on this board. I hope that ending can be forgotten. It's so Hollywood.
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