The 1958 movie Quentin Tarantino said he “can’t stand” was called “one of the greatest ever made” by Martin Scorsese
Quentin Tarantino has said he dislikes Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller *Vertigo*, calling it a bad film and describing it as boring melodrama that was stretched out. Martin Scorsese, by contrast, has called it “one of the greatest films ever made”, reflecting the film’s standing as a celebrated work in cinema history.
Tarantino has also questioned whether people who praise *Vertigo* as an all-time great genuinely believe it. The article notes that viewers need not enjoy the film, while distinguishing personal taste from its wider critical reputation; it gives no new release or box-office figures.
In short
- Tarantino called *Vertigo* a bad film.
- Scorsese regards it as one of cinema’s greatest.
- The disagreement highlights the gap between taste and reputation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tarantino’s criticism can be understood as a judgement about the film as an experience: a viewer may find its pacing slow, its romantic drama unconvincing or its suspense less effective than its reputation suggests. On that view, calling it boring or overextended is a legitimate response, and personal enjoyment need not follow critical acclaim.
The case against
Scorsese’s praise reflects the case that Vertigo’s careful construction, visual style and exploration of obsession make it an exceptional work of cinema. Its enduring critical reputation suggests that its influence and artistic achievement can be recognised even by viewers who do not personally enjoy it.
Explained simply
Vertigo is a 1958 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a British-born filmmaker known for suspense films. It follows a former police detective who is drawn into a mystery involving a woman he has been asked to watch.
Quentin Tarantino is a film-maker known for films including Pulp Fiction, while Martin Scorsese has directed works such as Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. Their differing views reflect a wider distinction between personal enjoyment of a film and its reputation among critics and film-makers.
Vertigo has long been discussed as an influential work in cinema history. Knowing that background helps explain why opinions about the film can attract attention beyond whether individual viewers like it.
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