Well, as you said, it’s more complex and thought-provoking, I also like how the twist is revealed half way through the film to the viewer, making the relationships between the characters much more interesting.
EDIT: and plus James Stwewart is in it.
Funnily enough…Vertigo actually scared me more than Psycho did…
This is a tough one. I agree that Vertigo is the more complex film, demanding more of its audience, but Psycho broke so many rules and is more audacious in terms of (storytelling and film-making) technique.
Both films have fabulous central performances, great twists…
My opinion might change the next time I watch them, but for now I think I’ll have to go with Psycho - you can’t hold its legacy against it. That would be like blaming Bram Stoker for the Blade franchise.
(Incidentally, for me, Shadow of a Doubt is Hitchcock’s greatest movie.)
Rocky vs Raging Bull
Godfather vs Scarface
Kriminal vs Diabolik
Ilsa vs Greta
Cannibal Holocaust vs Cannibal Ferox
Ichi the Killer vs Mary Poppins
Teletubbies vs Sesame Street
In my humble opinion though, and as fantastic as Psycho is, Vertigo is head and shoulders above. And to be honest, I marginally prefer Rear Window and The Birds to Psycho as well.
“Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you exactly what to do, what to say? You were a very apt pupil too, weren’t you? You were a very apt pupil!”