Roommates Brandon Shaw (Dall) and Phillip Morgan (Granger) plan and execute the "perfect murder:" strangling their friend David (Dick Hogan), in broad daylight, with no possible way to trace it back to them. Afterwards, Brandon is exhilarated and smug, and Phillip is on the verge of a guilt-ridden nervous breakdown.
Later that evening they have a dinner party in the apartment, with David's father Mr. Kentley (Hardwicke), aunt Mrs. Atwater (Collier), best friend Kenneth (Dick), and fiance Janet (Chandler). Also in attendance is their housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Evanson) and their prep school teacher / mentor Rupert Cadell (Stewart). They have David's body in a chest in the middle of the living room, and Brandon decides to serve the food from the chest: setting it up as a mock altar, complete with candlesticks. Throughout the evening Brandon drops subtle hints about David's whereabouts, while Phillip avoids conversations and drinks heavily. Only Rupert suspects something is wrong.
Anytime people talk about this film, the discussion is focused on the controversy of the film. Based on the play with the same name, which is based on a real case (Leopold and Loeb), there are some things people can't seem to get over: the suggested homosexual relationship between the roommates (and their professor), the long takes, and the entire premise of the story.
I would prefer to talk about what you actually see on the screen, instead of all the surrounding "drama." I could talk about Leopold and Loeb: their relationship and motivations, but you can find that information is any other review... and if you see this film cold (with no other information) it wouldn't really matter anyway.
I love the concept behind this film: to film long continuous scenes that allow the audience to follow the characters through the rooms in the apartment without apparent cuts. The action is confined to Brandon & Phillip's apartment, between the kitchen, dining room / hall, and living room. The camera glides between rooms and peeks through open doorways. How brilliant is that? The set was constructed of moving pieces and cameras, all meticulously choreographed to allow the camera to film for long stretches without cutting away. The sequences were filmed within 10 minutes, which was the maximum amount of time the camera could film. Watching it, you can't help but admire the planning and vision to create such a story. Another interesting visual touch is the chest, which appears in almost every scene, either the focal point or off to the side, it is always there. The audience can't forget it, and the roommates can't either.
However, the awesomeness of the filming can't make up for the characters. James Stewart is miscast (which he also believed) and makes the character awkward... the rest of the characters are interesting, but you never really identify with any of them. I'm sure the actors are great, but I wasn't impressed here.
An interesting, lesser known classic. Watch it to see how well Hitchcock's experiment with continuous shots, and his first stab at a color film!
Later that evening they have a dinner party in the apartment, with David's father Mr. Kentley (Hardwicke), aunt Mrs. Atwater (Collier), best friend Kenneth (Dick), and fiance Janet (Chandler). Also in attendance is their housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Evanson) and their prep school teacher / mentor Rupert Cadell (Stewart). They have David's body in a chest in the middle of the living room, and Brandon decides to serve the food from the chest: setting it up as a mock altar, complete with candlesticks. Throughout the evening Brandon drops subtle hints about David's whereabouts, while Phillip avoids conversations and drinks heavily. Only Rupert suspects something is wrong.
Anytime people talk about this film, the discussion is focused on the controversy of the film. Based on the play with the same name, which is based on a real case (Leopold and Loeb), there are some things people can't seem to get over: the suggested homosexual relationship between the roommates (and their professor), the long takes, and the entire premise of the story.
I would prefer to talk about what you actually see on the screen, instead of all the surrounding "drama." I could talk about Leopold and Loeb: their relationship and motivations, but you can find that information is any other review... and if you see this film cold (with no other information) it wouldn't really matter anyway.
I love the concept behind this film: to film long continuous scenes that allow the audience to follow the characters through the rooms in the apartment without apparent cuts. The action is confined to Brandon & Phillip's apartment, between the kitchen, dining room / hall, and living room. The camera glides between rooms and peeks through open doorways. How brilliant is that? The set was constructed of moving pieces and cameras, all meticulously choreographed to allow the camera to film for long stretches without cutting away. The sequences were filmed within 10 minutes, which was the maximum amount of time the camera could film. Watching it, you can't help but admire the planning and vision to create such a story. Another interesting visual touch is the chest, which appears in almost every scene, either the focal point or off to the side, it is always there. The audience can't forget it, and the roommates can't either.
However, the awesomeness of the filming can't make up for the characters. James Stewart is miscast (which he also believed) and makes the character awkward... the rest of the characters are interesting, but you never really identify with any of them. I'm sure the actors are great, but I wasn't impressed here.
An interesting, lesser known classic. Watch it to see how well Hitchcock's experiment with continuous shots, and his first stab at a color film!
Rope (1948) 80 minutes
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: James Stewart as Rupert Cadell
John Dall as Brandon Shaw
Farley Granger as Phillip Morgan
Cedric Hardwicke as Mr. Kentley
Constance Collier as Mrs. Atwater
Douglas Dick as Kenneth Lawrence
Edith Evanson as Mrs. Wilson
Joan Chandler as Janet Walker
John Dall as Brandon Shaw
Farley Granger as Phillip Morgan
Cedric Hardwicke as Mr. Kentley
Constance Collier as Mrs. Atwater
Douglas Dick as Kenneth Lawrence
Edith Evanson as Mrs. Wilson
Joan Chandler as Janet Walker
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