ROPE
1948 • Alfred HitchcockWriters: Arthur Laurents; Story by Hume Cronyn; Based on Rope 1929 play by Patrick Hamilton
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Bernstein
Cast: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Constance Collier, Joan Chandler
Cinematography: Joseph A. Valentine, William V. Skall
Music: David Buttolph, Francis Poulenc; Musical direction: Leo F. ForbsteinWarner Bros. Pictures
- Did he do me justice?
- Do you deserve justice?
Rope is a masterpiece that broke cinematic barriers and remains an underrated gem in the Hitchcock-James Stewart collaboration. The film unravels in real-time, blending 80 minutes of character time seamlessly into 80 minutes of screen time, all while trying to not draw attention to itself.
The story centers around two brilliant but morally twisted young men, Brandon (John Dall) and Philip (Farley Granger), who decide to commit the "perfect murder." They strangle their former classmate, David Kentley, just for the thrill of it and hide his body in a wooden chest. As if this weren't enough, they decide to host a dinner party with the chest holding their gruesome secret as the centerpiece.
Enter Rupert Cadell (James Stewart), their former professor, who begins to suspect that something isn't quite right. As the tension escalates over the course of the evening, the audience is taken on a suspenseful rollercoaster ride, wondering if Cadell will uncover the truth before it's too late.
The gimmick, if you want to call it that, of Rope is its real-time screenplay. Hitchcock masterfully crafts the film to play out in a continuous shot, mimicking the feel of a stage play. Well, the illusion of a continuos shot anyway. Since each reel could only film up to 10 minutes, Hitchcock needed to “program” cuts into the screenplay and stage direction. This daring technique was groundbreaking for its time and is still fun to watch today. The audience is drawn into the claustrophobic setting of the apartment, feeling as though they are right there with the characters as the drama unfolds.
Rope marked the first of four collaborations between Hitchcock and the legendary James Stewart. While Hitchcock & Stewart are most often associated with Rear Window or Vertigo, it's a shame that Rope is often overlooked. Stewart brings an interesting cynicism to the character of Rupert Cadell, making him one of the most memorable aspects of the film. It's a testament to Stewart's versatility as an actor.
A notable but often unspoken aspect of Rope is the subtle coding of the two main characters as gay. In 1948, openly presenting homosexual characters in film was simply not acceptable due to censorship regulations. However, Hitchcock manages to convey this element through subtle hints, adding complexity to Brandon and Philip's relationship. It's a reminder of the constraints filmmakers faced during that era and the creative ways they found to navigate them.
Rope is a must-see for Hitchcock enthusiasts and film lovers alike. Its daring real-time format, the performance by James Stewart, and the relentless suspense make it an unforgettable cinematic experience. It's a shining example of Hitchcock's mastery of suspense, and it deserves more recognition in the Hitchcock canon.
I've always wished for more artistic talent. Well, murder can be an art, too. The power to kill can be just as satisfying as the power to create.
Notable Accomplishments
Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee: Best Motion Picture
Streaming: Not currently streaming
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD
