Rope (1948)

ROPE is one of Hitchcock's few films that ignore most of the typical attributes mentioned above, except for some dark humor, and allows the actors to carry the whole story. There is no mystery in this film for the viewers as we witness the murder at the start of the film. The suspense is generated by the actors as they deal with the absence of the murder victim from a party hosted by the two murderers. The family, fiance and friend of the victim, who don't know he has been killed, become increasingly upset at his absence from the party. The maid helps fuel the tension as she gossips while conducting her duties. The former headmaster of the school the murder victim, the two hosts and the other young male guest all attended puts the pieces together. Meanwhile, the two hosts try and drop as many hints as they can that the missing party member has been killed and that they did it. For one of the hosts it seems to fuel his own idea that he is superior to all his guests and that if they were his equal they could figure it all out. The other host can barely keep it together as he experiences doubt and regret about what he has done and worries about being caught.

Rope boasts some big named actors such as James Stewart and Sir Cedric Hardwicke but also brings some less known actors such as John Dall and Douglas Dick. The mix works out fine. Stewart, who breaks from his "down home-everyman roles, is perfect as the philosophical headmaster who with his abstract ideas that he passed on to his students really is responsible for the killing that takes place. I really enjoyed watching Joan Chandler as the soon to be fiance of the murdered man. It was a treat to see Hitchcock use a brunette instead of his standard blonde for this movie.

This was Hitchcock's first color movie and the set is beautiful. The view of the city from the killers apartment is so life like it is hard to believe that it is a manufactured setting.

Lastly, the DVD for this movie also includes the trailer. The trailer is the only time the viewer gets to see the murder victim alive and it adds some backdrop to the relationship between the victim and his soon to be fiance. The documentary was well done and informative


Rope is no Dope   October 15, 2003
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Hitchcock's "Rope" is no Dope
"Rope," directed by Alfred Hitchcock was released in 1948. Even though it was released over 50 years ago it stands the test of time and still thrills audiences even by today's standard. Hitchcock doesn't need to use fancy special effects or explosions to make this movie great. However, one of the reasons "Rope" is as good as it is, is because of its excellent line up of actors and actresses. This line up includes; John Dall as Brandon Shaw, Farley Granger as Phillip Morgan, Joan Chandler as Jane Walker and James Stewart as Rupert Cadell.
The plot is simple but intriguing. Two posh cohorts, Brandon and Phillip, decide that they are superior humans than their friend David Kentley. They reason, since they are superior to David, they have every right to kill him. There is no motive; they simply kill David for the thrill of killing another human. Hitchcock has the murder take place in the opening scene to let the viewers know who the killers are. This aspect makes it interesting for the viewer; you get to know what the actors do not know.
The movie "Rope" has suspense from the opening scene to the closing scene. Believe it or not some people actually wouldn't think a movie about a small dinner party would be that great of a thriller. But Rope is a thriller of its own kind. It is purely a physiological thriller, and doesn't rely on gory murders or special effects. The fact that Hitchcock can create such a great amount of suspense without these techniques shows how good "Rope" really is. The plot, acting and dialogue are what make this movie the thriller it is. I think "Rope" is a one of a kind movie that should not be missed by anyone


Another Murder for Hitchcock   October 23, 2003
PJ (Mankato, MN)
3 out of 32 found this review helpful

If, deception, and suspense intrigues you, then Alfred Hitchcock's film Rope is your movie. Its about two young men who murder there prep school mate. They try to show there intelligence and superiority by inviting David's closest friends and family over for a party. The guests are unaware that David's dead body is right under their nose.
This film is one of the most boring films I have ever watched. The plot takes place in a lavish penthouse where two school mates, Brandon (Dall) and Phillip (granger) who plan out this murder, strangling their classmate David with a rope. Brandon feels there superior to David and that murder is an art when done right. Through out the film they invite David's close family over, fooling them on David's where about, so they think. Rupert (Stewart) who inspired the two men to do this, tries piecing together the missing David. This film being classified as a thriller is a joke. Britney Spears film Crossroads was as much as a thriller as Rope. Sense the viewers already know who killed who; they have to sit through eighty minutes of hell, knowing they're going to get caught.
The acting in this film was mediocre. John Dall (Brandon) did a good job on portraying an arrogant young man on top of the world. He was so cocky with his sly remarks about David, to the others at the party, that I hoped he got caught. Farley Granger (Phillip) also did a good job portraying a weak minded person who gets pushed around by his friends. Another actor who did an above average job on his character was James Stewart (Rupert). He was the enlightening teacher who thinks his views have meaning and importance. As for the rest of the cast, I thought there performances were appalling. Constance Collier (Mrs. Atwater) was horrible. She looked like she was trying to hard, and I think a five year-old could have acted better then her. Joan Chandler (Janet) had her weaker points. Her character seemed like an air head, and she didn't fit the part right.
After seeing other films Alfred Hitchcock films, like Psycho and The Birds, this film is a toss up with The Birds as one of the worst films I have watched. I would rather been put through the Chinese torches then sit through it, let alone watch the entire thing. An aspect of the film that mad e it seem boring and pulled along was that there was only one setting for the entire film. This made it hard to pay attention and made the film seem quite dull. Another negative attribute was that the film did not feel like a thriller because there was no action since the entire film was in one confined area.
Throughout Hitchcock's film career, he has put together many masterpieces and classic film that people look back on still to this day. He is full of surprises in his films, bring never before seen work to his film era; well Rope should have never been seen. This film drags on for eighty minutes, pulling horrible acting and camera work along with it. I would chop my two thumbs off, rather then use energy to point them down. Unless film viewers are looking for something to fall asleep to, I strongly suggest not watching the film Rope!