Rope (1948)
Raiting: 
7,8 /10
Genre: Crime
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: James Stewart, John Dall and Farley Granger
Country: United States
Release date: 11 March 1948
Length: 80 minutes
"Rope" (1948), directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark recesses of human nature and the concept of intellectual superiority. The film is based on the 1929 play of the same name by Patrick Hamilton and is notable for its experimental approach, with Hitchcock using long, unbroken takes to create the illusion of the movie being one continuous shot.
The story unfolds in real time, centering on two young men, Brandon Shaw (John Dall) and Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger), who share an apartment in New York City. The film opens with the chilling act of Brandon and Phillip strangling their former classmate, David Kentley, to death with a piece of rope. Their motive is not rooted in personal animosity but rather in a perverse philosophical experiment; they want to commit the "perfect murder" to prove their intellectual superiority by executing a crime they deem untraceable.
After hiding David's body in an antique wooden chest in their living room, the pair host a dinner party, inviting guests who are all connected to the victim, including David's father, his fiancée Janet Walker (Joan Chandler), his aunt Mrs. Atwater (Constance Collier), and his friend Kenneth (Douglas Dick). The most significant guest, however, is their former prep school housemaster, Rupert Cadell (James Stewart), who once philosophically discussed the intellectual justification of murder as an art with them.
As the evening progresses, the tension mounts. Brandon, the more dominant and daring of the duo, subtly flaunts their crime, while Phillip becomes increasingly nervous and guilt-ridden. The guests are unaware of the macabre centerpiece upon which they are dining, but oddities arise: David's absence is noted, and his mother calls the apartment to report that he has not come home. The rope used in the murder is also a recurring motif, appearing in plain sight and contributing to the suspense.
Rupert grows suspicious of Brandon and Phillip's odd behavior and the strange circumstances surrounding the party. His intellectual curiosity turns to detective work as he begins to piece together the puzzle. The climax of the film arrives when Rupert discovers the grisly truth hidden in the chest and is faced with the moral dilemma of his own academic musings being put into practice by his former students.
"Rope" is a study of morality, arrogance, and the consequences of intellectual conceit. Hitchcock masterfully crafts an atmosphere of claustrophobia and impending doom, using the confined setting of the apartment and the continuous shot technique to heighten the sense of entrapment and suspense. The film is a thought-provoking exploration of the Nietzschean concept of the "superman" and a riveting narrative that holds the viewer in its tight grip until the very end.
Top cast - Rope (1948)
Trailer - Rope (1948)
"Rope" (1948) is a distinctive entry in Alfred Hitchcock's illustrious career, not only for its bold narrative but also for its technical innovation. The film is a tightly wound psychological thriller that explores the consequences of taking philosophical concepts to their extreme logical ends. Hitchcock's decision to shoot the film in a series of long, unbroken takes, cleverly disguised by subtle cuts, gives it a unique, stage-like quality that adds to the intensity of the viewing experience.
The plot of "Rope" is deceptively simple, revolving around a murder committed by two young men, Brandon and Phillip, who seek to prove their intellectual superiority by executing the perfect crime. The audacity of staging a dinner party around the hidden body of their victim is a chilling premise that Hitchcock uses to full effect. The tension is palpable from the outset and ratchets up with each passing minute as the killers' façade of nonchalance begins to crumble under the scrutiny of their guests, particularly their former schoolmaster, Rupert Cadell, played by James Stewart.
Stewart's performance is a standout, as he deftly transitions from a seemingly aloof intellectual to a man horrified by the realization that his own philosophical musings have inspired a heinous act. John Dall as Brandon is chillingly charismatic, embodying the cold, calculating nature of his character with a performance that is both captivating and repulsive. Farley Granger's Phillip provides the perfect counterbalance, his anxiety and guilt serving as a humanizing foil to Brandon's sociopathic tendencies.
The film's technical aspects are equally impressive. The illusion of a single continuous take creates an almost voyeuristic experience for the audience, trapping them in the same confined space as the characters and heightening the claustrophobic atmosphere. The set design is meticulously crafted to facilitate the camera's fluid movement, and the subtle lighting changes mimic the passing of time from afternoon to night, further immersing the viewer in the story's timeline.
While "Rope" may not be as widely recognized as some of Hitchcock's other classics, it is a masterclass in suspense and a bold experiment in filmmaking. Some critics have pointed out that the constraints of the long-take approach sometimes lead to a stagey feel, which may detract from the film's cinematic qualities for certain viewers. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a seamless blend of suspense, drama, and philosophical inquiry.
In conclusion, "Rope" is a film that remains as provocative and engaging today as it was upon its release. It is a testament to Hitchcock's genius that he was able to take such a risk and succeed so admirably. The film's exploration of the dark side of human nature, coupled with its innovative approach to storytelling, makes it a must-watch for fans of Hitchcock and cinema in general. "Rope" is not just a movie; it's a riveting experience that continues to hold its audience in a vice-like grip, long after the final credits roll.