Spire Magazine is happy to begin it’s first weekly series Collegiate Lenses, a series that focuses on synthesizing the collegiate experience with classic films that underlay our culture. We hope that these suggestions enhance the enjoyment of the films at hand, while creating a group atmosphere of enjoyment that media like this is supposed to come with.

Vertigo, Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece, is a film cherished by film studies purveyors around the world and has consistently been called one of the best films ever made. Making use of beautiful California locations and dizzying revolutionary camera techniques, Vertigo is a film that combines natural and old-world beauty with modern camerawork. In addition to being technically revolutionary, the narrative’s heavy sexual tones between the few characters on screen keeps the mystery narrative alive, and combined with the ominous scores that accompany the film, make it a film that consistently stands above the rest, making it the natural starting point for a series like this. Another reason is because sitting through one of the most intense thrillers ever shot will make you wish you had something to take the edge off.

Vertigo Drinking Game Rules

Take a drink…

Every time the “Vertigo Effect” is used

Every time a character offers a drink or a smoke

Every time the “Portrait of Carlotta” makes an appearance

Every time Scottie is blatantly insulted by his peers

Every time you agree with Midge’s analysis of the situation

Every time you see a phallic symbol

Every time the car Scottie is driving turns left

Whenever you feel uncomfortable in the third act

Take this list as a suggestion, and drink responsibly. As always, enjoy the film.

Check out the rest of Spire Magazine’s Collegiate Lenses series.