Actually, Vertigo is generally considered in polls of critics throughout the world to be one of the ten greatest films ever made. Robin Wood in his Hitchcock study which established all Hitchcock studies now current said it was "one of the four or five films most profound and beautiful films the cinema has yet given us." The "flawed masterpiece" is usually identified as Marnie, established as that by Truffaut who admired it greatly but recognized the difficulties in it, caused partly by Hitchcock's obsessions. A polite word one might use.

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While I would agree that Vertigo is Herrmann's best score, my favorite is his lesser known but equally awesom Fahrenheit 451. Some beautiful string/percussion/harp writing in that score. The final cue is sublime.

I agree on the Fahrenheit 451. Especially the end section. I've always felt that is an incredibly beautiful melody that disproves the concept that Herrmann didn't write melodies. It is rather like Ravel, without being derivative. And the effect upon the film scene is completely transforming.

Lest us not forget CAPE FEAR.

Evan Evans

Yes, Cape Fear is another great score. Of course it should be heard in the original, not in that overrated grotesquerie of a remake.