Rating: 
Summary: Rope
Review: "Rope"For it's time Alfred Hitchcock's suspense film, "Rope" was a masterpiece in it's own right, this is true today as well. The movie brings together elements of suspense of how it feels to commit a horrendous crime along with the excitement of getting away with it. Or so "Brandon" (played by John Dall) and his unwilling assistant "Philip" (played by Farley Granger) think. The two friends commit this crime because they want to prove that they have the intellectual capability to commit the perfect murder. This mind set was shared by their former prep school teacher "Rupert" (played by James Stewart). The difference between Rupert and his apprentices is his ultimate inability to act upon these extreme principals. Brandon and Philip mastermind the plot to kill a mutual friend, David in the opening scene of this film. To add to their "amusement" they hide the dead body in a trunk in the room where a party is later held for Mr. Kentley, David's father. Brandon and Philip also decided to serve the dinner from the chest where the body is hidden. Throughout the entire party the father and other acquaintances are wondering where David is and are concerned that something has happened to him. All the while Brandon is keeping his cool playing along with keeping the murder a secret perfectly. This cannot be said for Philip however. He has been sweating bullets since the guests have arrived to the party.
The technology of this film is not up to present-day standards. The aspect of the film is not particularly to my liking; however Hitchcock uses may other aspects of film making to his advantage. His use of music in the opening scene sets a gloomy mood immediately and makes you suspect that something bad is going to happen or already has happened. Towards the end when Philip is playing the piano and making many mistakes, something he never does also helps set a certain mood that Brandon and Philip are getting closer and closer to being caught by Stewart. Though this film is set in one main room, Hitchcock uses is continuous shot method of camera work to get a sense of what the characters are thinking or feeling. Granger does a wonderful job of playing the unwilling participant in this film. He is constantly fidgeting and sweating with anticipation and worry, while Dall remains calm and collected he unsuccessfully tries to settle Granger down throughout the film until the very end. All the guests seem to be ignorant of anything being wrong except for Rupert. As Rupert plays the character with a remarkable curiosity he is always wondering why Philip is acting so upset and worried. Rupert does a wonderful job at wearing Brandon and Philip down to the breaking point.
While "Rope" may not be the technological masterpiece of present day films, it is very well crafted and stands the test of time to remain on of the greatest suspense films of all time. Who would expect anything less than that from Alfred Hitchcock?
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Alfred Hitchcock Movie
Review: Not being a fan of Alfred Hitchcock films, Rope was an unexpected surprise. Instead of the usual "Whodunit," suspense of most films, Rope shows the whole murder-taking place. The movie begins with two friends, Brandon and Philip, murdering a classmate David for the thrill of committing the act. Instead of dumping the body and moving on with life, they decide to throw a dinner party. Not only do they throw a party, but also they serve the food to the victim's friends and family off of the chest containing the victim.
The whole movie is based around the dinner party. When David, the unsuspecting victim of Brandon and Phillip doesn't show up to the party his friends and family worry about where he is. Little do they suspect that he is in the room all along. The movie plays around the guests talking about David and even coming close to finding his corpse in the chest. The suspense is focused on whether or not David will be found and the two murderers will be caught. The only real down side to the story line is a disappointing ending that lacks thrill and suspense.
Hitchcock took a chance with this film and it turned out to work in his benefit. Instead of shooting in regular film takes, Hitchcock shot the movie in continuous ten-minute takes. This made it appear a lot like a stage play (which it originally was). When Hitchcock did change takes he did it in very sneaky ways. An example of this would be cutting into the back of a person and then changing to another person. Also instead of just going from one shot to the next he would have the camera follow, an example would be using a close up of a drink to change to another person. This gave the impression to the viewers of being right there where all the action was taking place. Watching the movie made it feel like one was actually at the dinner party.
The acting in this movie was also a nice surprise. James Stewart fit very well into the role of Rupert. Rupert played an important part in the film as Philip and Brandon's old teacher. He was the one who made Brandon think that murder is an art. It was an unusual part for him and he took a chance by playing it. No one could have done a better job than him. The emotions portrayed by John Dall and Farley Granger, who played the killers, were very believable to the viewers. Farley Granger, who played Philip, did an excellent job showing fear and remorse. Through out the movie Philip felt remorseful and his feelings came through in the way he acted. He had a hard time through out the whole dinner party and during more than one occasion said unusual things. Once he started drinking the weird outbursts came more often. The only acting job that I felt was bad was Constance Collier's portray of Mrs. Atwato. This woman couldn't act if her life depended on it. Her facial expressions did not fit the plot. She seemed to always be smiling even when the scene would call for her to frown. Who smiles when people are seriously talking about killing other people? She herself almost destroyed this movie for me. Luckily, the others did such a great job it overshadowed her poor performance.
All in all, I think this is the best Alfred Hitchcock movie made. After passionately disliking both Psycho and The Birds, I expected Rope to be the same kind of horrible movie with bad acting. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this film was unlike any other movie Hitchcock made. It was suspenseful in a whole new way. Rope kept my interest the whole time, which is unusual for me during any films. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes the unusual in suspense films. Rope is an excellent film and Hitchcock pulled it off great.
Rating: 
Summary: Unraveling "Rope"
Review: The film "Rope" was a remarkable movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948. Hitchcock gives this film an unpredictable twist. The film starts with a murder and then builds into a different kind of suspense related to discovery. It doesn't hide the murder or who the murders are. The camera, acting and sound all add to the suspense of the film.
The film holds a strong suspenseful situation in an evening's dinner party. The action is captured in one room and is filmed to give a real time setting. Hitchcock composed the film as if it was taken in one shot, but realistically it was developed from many ten minute shots. The audience can observe breaks between shots when the camera fades into an article on the screen between each ten minute shot. The real feel of time gave this film a memorable outcome.
In recent films the suspense of the murders are held to the end of the movie to give the climax. For example, in the popular movie "Scream" many people are killed throughout the movie but the director hides the discovery of the killer giving us the suspense of not knowing. Unlike being unaware of the killers, Hitchcock determines the murders in the beginning and then sets the scene depending on the murder. It was unsure if Philip (Farley Granger) and Brandon (John Dall) would kill one more of their guest or all of them. Because of this uncertainty, the viewers were kept guessing at all times.
One of the ways Hitchcock builds the suspense in "Rope" is by making the audience identify with the murders' fear of discovery. One example of this takes place in the scene following dinner. The camera keeps the focus on the suspense of finding the corpse. Hitchcock makes it positive that the body of David (Dick Hogan) was going to be found when the maid returns the books to chest. The focus is on her while the others are conversing in the room. The maid removes each item one at a time dragging the scene out to the discovery of David. Then she slowly lifts the chest and I am thinking, "Brandon look over at the chest, Brandon look over at the chest." Rupert (James Stewart), a headmaster of a school that Brandon and Philip had attended, then assists the maid and the corpse had to be found. Brandon, relaxed, pushes down the chest and the scene continues.
I am fond of Brandon's acting in this situation, because he never gives the murder away. On the other hand, Philip (Farley Granger) can not control himself. He becomes drunk and is repeatedly blurting out comments that could give the murder away. The acting of Farley Granger made me, as a viewer, want to shut him up. I was able to relate with the stress that Brandon was receiving from Philip. I interacted with the film because I witness people often that are drunk and can't control the things they say. He continues to drink because he was stressing over a situation. Philip's character is someone that many college students can relate with.
The camera focuses on the diminutive things that accomplish a shocking feel. The focus on the books that were tied up with the rope that was used to kill David made the audience shriek. Another scene that the camera captures brilliantly is when Rupert is handed a hat out of the closet, and the maid notices it isn't his. Rupert turns the hat and reveals the initials D.K. I was shocked; I knew that Rupert solved the mystery of the missing David. I became frustrated that he didn't do anything about his discovery. The movie once again captured suspense.
The noises in the back of the film set the scene also. When Rupert comes into the apartment to find his cigarette case that he supposable left there we hear sirens. The scene is set as an enforcing situation according to the noises Hitchcock uses. The movie has added features that keep the suspense rolling.
This film refers to murder as an art. It is committed by the superior to the inferior. One might ask, "How do we know the superior to the inferior?" Since Hitchcock left us guessing why David was the inferior and Brandon and Philip were the superiors some may think this movie was down right horrible. Two men killed another man for their joy. They had no reason other than they saw it as an art. In my opinion, this Hitchcock film was unique; it had an unpredictable plot that I was anxious to decipher. "Rope" is incomparable to any other movie I have viewed.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Much Rope
Review: The Alfred Hitchcock movie "Rope" is a film about two men Brandon and Phillip (played by John Dall and Farley Granger) who strangled their friend David. As a bonus to their crime, the murderers invited over David's family and friends for dinner. The serving table was the chest that David's body was in. David's family was concerned why he wasn't showing for the party. The question wasn't if the murders were going to be caught but when and by whom.
"Rope" is very similar to Hitchcock's other movies "The Birds," and "Psycho." These three movies are uninspiring in many ways. They all are old and very dated; they have terrible sound and filming effects. Hitchcock's way of filming the setting is very unorganized and not planned out. He had quick sloppy scenes and the acting didn't have emotion. The movie seems as though it had been thrown together quickly. Hitchcock's film work isn't exquisite, it seems as though he fits the subject in the viewfinder and tapes. The background and angles aren't anything spectacular.
Starting the movie off with murder is an absurd way to begin the story. Having the murder scene in the beginning of the movie lets the audience know who the murderers are. Hitchcock didn't really keep his audience on the edge of their seats. If he had the murder in the middle of the movie it would have kept the audience wondering if the murderers were going to be caught and who they were. With Phillip scared the whole time and acting peculiar around the guests and Brandon always giving away suspicious clues, the audience knows that the murders are going to get caught. "Rope" is not an engaging addition to the suspense genre.
I thought that "Rope" was not a creative movie. The characters were mostly centered in the screen, and there wasn't much to focus on, except their mouths. Hitchcock's way of filming in only three rooms of one apartment was very frustrating and made you feel claustrophobic. That might have been what he was trying to do, but the effect is more prone to make the audience stop watching and rent something jumpier and more amusing.
This movie was not suspenseful and could have used more gruesome scenes to get the audience attached. There were many things about the movie that were cheesy. The scene in which Phillip broke the martini glass in his hand and cutting himself didn't fit with the plot. For all of the build up the scene has little effect on building suspense. The part where Brandon gave David's father books tied with the same rope that killed his son didn't have any suspense what so ever. The question is, can this movie get any worse? When the maid, Mrs. Wilson, was planning on opening the chest and then stopped by Brandon, was the worst part of the whole movie. I think that was just an added scene to make the movie even more cheesy. That scene of "Rope" absolutely made the movie horrendous.
"Rope" is terrible film. Alfred Hitchcock's movie is not impressive at all. I don't think any of his movies even compare to modern day thrillers. The plot, setting, filming, and acting is not inspiring what so ever. I would not recommend this film.
Rating:
Summary: The Rope that Left Hitchcock Hanging
Review: Rope- the heavily criticized suspense thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock-is without a single creative and exciting component. Some people may say that the movie Rope is a true classic while others say it was the worst movie ever made. I myself hated the movie. This movie is one of Hitchcock's poorer performances. This film may assume to be exciting because of the plot but it is rather boring and uninteresting.
The movie Rope centers around two young men Brandon and Phillip who kill a prep schoolmate, just for the fun of it. To heighten the thrill they invite the decedents family and friends to their apartment; David's body still hidden within the chest in the living room. Hitchcock reveals the true murderers foolishly, this ultimately hurts his film. This mistake cost Hitchcock publicity and ratings because the central mystery of the film was already exposed. This movie was Hitchcock's first color film. His inspiration in directing the film version of the stage play the was his experience with the real life Leopold-Loeb murder case. This film would seem to be exciting because of the plot but it is rather boring and uninteresting.
Rope suffers from a horde of problems that bog down the plot and suspense of the film. From the start we know who the true villains are. This allows the audience to watch the movie already knowing what truly happened. The only thing the audience can possibly look forward to is to see if Brandon and Phillip actually get caught. All these foolish games that Phillip and Brandon play don't seem to make sense, but then nothing in Rope does. It is hard to understand what Hitchcock was thinking when he took on this film or if he was even thinking at all. Hitchcock wasn't thinking when he directed this redundant film. The acting in this film was another excuse for hating Rope. I was not impressed by the characterizations at all. It looked as if people were picked off the street and thrown into the movie. This was so bad that it seemed the actors were reading off a script. The acting was dull and dreary as were there facial expressions.
The camera work through the whole film was low tech and very simple. Add on special features were not present which made the film tiresome to watch . The cameras went from one character to another as the actors talked amongst one another in the small gloomy apartment. When the camera would switch characters the camera would show the back of the person to show a different look and perspective on the scene. I thought this camera work was very poor.
Soundtrack music and background sound in this film was scarce and not heard of. Sound appeared in only one scene throughout the whole film. This pointless sound effect was used when Janet and Kenneth were talking. This effect had no significance and didn't transform the mood of the scene at all. A film like this would actually hurt his reputation because he is so well known for all his other magnificent and horrifying films.
In conclusion this film seemed to have an interesting and suspenseful plot. But overall this movie was horrendous and a waste of time to watch. Watching Rope inspired me to want to hang myself. Torture and misery was at an all time high as I watched and waited for the movie to get over. With the movie completed, my life is now back to normal. The only people that I could see watching this movie would be people that are obsessed with Alfred Hitchcock's pieces of work. I would never think about watching this movie again or even any other movie by Hitchcock.
Rating:
Summary: Hamilton's Great Play turns into Hitchcock's Horrible Film.
Review: Alfred Hitchcock is known all over the world for his famous and ground breaking work in the genre of suspense films. Everyone has at least heard of his famous thrillers "Psycho" and "The Birds", but most people have not heard of his less famous movies like "Rope." In "Rope," a planned murder, followed by a sick party, demonstrate Hitchcock's usual twists and surprises. With one small exception, the story itself does not contain Hitchcock's long, gore-filled, and disturbing scenes. One big problem with the film is that it is adapted from a stage play. Many movies have been adapted from plays, however, they have usually been expanded on because of the greater resources that are available in the film genre such as multiple, more complex scenes. Hitchcock ignored the fact that he was making a movie and decided to basically film a stage play. The movie was filmed in what is called "real time." "Real time" is where the entire movie seems like it is filmed as one scene. This bores and forces the audience to see the not so important and sometimes tedious actions or the film and causes distractions. The movie also lacked good music and sound affects to add to the suspense and drama of its scenes. As for the selection of characters, some seemed to fit the parts, while others did not. Hitchcock is known for his famous camera work in the movie "Psycho" where he employs multiple camera angles. In "Rope," the camera comes from the same point in the room and at the same height and angle the entire time which contributes to the audience's lack of interest. Overall, the movie was boring to watch and a waste of money to buy. If you're looking for a good Hitchcock movie, your money would be better spent on "Psycho" or "The Birds." But then some say Hitchcock takes pride in being different from the rest. "Rope" certainly sets itself apart from movies of that period and without question to the movies of today. Most people would consider it a timeless classic, however I don't agree.
Rating:
Summary: Throw Them A Rope
Review: "Throw Them a Rope"
The movie, "Rope" is a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Instead of a thriller with a lot of violence and action like many of Alfred Hitchcock's other movies "Rope" is more of a thinking thriller with a mean twist to it.
It all begins within the first few minutes when Brandon and Phillip decide to kill an acquaintance of theirs, David, just to see what murder feels like. Moments later they throw a dinner party where they invite members of David's family, his friends, and an old house supervisor from prep-school.
Throughout the movie there are a few times when some of the guests almost pick up on what Brandon and Phillip have done, but it remains a secret until Rupert, the prep-school house supervisor, finally picks up on some of the sneaky comments.
The occasional mysterious tune played on the piano by Phillip and the sound of silence is enough to keep one's heart beating, wondering what is to happen next.
Besides the occasional unsteadiness of the camera and a poor acting job by one or two of the actors, "Rope" turned out to be a good and exciting movie.
The film "Rope" is a fast paced engaging movie and Hitchcock did a fine job of taking the play script and turning it into a film. I would definitely take the time to watch this film again.
Rating:
Summary: Alfred Hitchcock Ties the Knot on another Classic
Review: Hitchcock's "Rope" is everything you would expect in a film from such a heralded director. It has drama, suspense, and more twists than a French braid. The entire movie takes place in what appears to be a swanky loft apartment owned by either just friends or lovers - at times it is hard to tell - Brandon Shaw (John Dall) and Philip Morgan (Farley Granger). The two characters murder an old classmate for the fun and enjoyment of it then throw a party for the deceased's closest friends and relatives.
The question during the party is not if the Brandon and Philip will be caught but when and by whom. Many times throughout it appears the guests at the party will stumble upon the truth. That they don't realize what is going on becomes almost laughable. The one mistake the murderers make is inviting the inspiration of their crime to the post party. Their old schoolteacher Rupert Cadell (Jimmy Stewart) who once taught them - most likely satirically - that only a few privileged people in this world were allowed to commit murder, appears to be onto them at once.
As for the acting in "Rope" I was unimpressed. Although Dall and Stewart give believable and very entertaining performances the complete opposite can be said for the rest of the cast, particularly Granger who is annoying and obviously trying way too hard. Aside from the actors shortcomings the idea behind this film is still unique and engaging, it is proper that Hitchcock direct this film because only he can convey its true morbidity.
I would recommend to any movie fan especially the Hitchcock lovers to go see this movie. It uses filming techniques that were unheard of at the time this film was produced. That along with a well thought out plot and storyline makes for a definite classic. If it appears slow at times try to appreciate the camerawork and other subtleties that make all Hitchcock films brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Inclinations of a Symphony
Review: Everyone views art in different ways. Artists show their work through symphonies, paintings, and writings. There is symbolism in the way we perceive what we are viewing. Alfred Hitchcock was an artist. He directed films and did things so daring that no one else could compare to him. Not everyone viewed him as an artist, but the majority of people who view his films need to take a step back and analyze why he did the things he did.
Rope, Hitchcock's first color film was released in 1948, after a number of earlier successes in Great Britain and the United States. The film begins with two young men strangling one of their good friends, David Kentley. The two men Brandon Shaw and Phillip Morgan seem to view murder as an art. They experiment with the art of life and death. Brandon and Phillip decide to celebrate David's death by hosting a dinner party. They place the food onto a dark wooden chest that David's body is hidden. It is deceptive and inhumane to even think about doing such a thing, but to them it is all part of the symphonic rings. They played their cards like a tragic symphony - beginning with a light grotesqueness and ending with despair. Their acting abilities of the characters were very affective - filled with a nervous happiness. An eagerness to get rid of the people they invited to a dinner party.
Hitchcock decided to play with the filming techniques by having the reels of film seem like it was one continuous shot. By going in and out of dark areas seemed to reflect the evil slyness of the main characters. This technique also made the film seem like a play, which Rope was originally intended for.
What if someone opened the chest? What if their guests saw their nervousness? What would happen to them after they were caught? Hitchcock was able to make the film serious yet it has the sense of an awkward - almost horrifying approach. Certain places within the film makes the audience feel this way - especially the middle scenes.
During the middle scenes everyone at the party was wondering why David hadn't arrived yet. The thing that kept me interested was the fact that there was a sensed nervousness throughout all the middle scenes. Brandon's maid lifted part of the chest while cleaning and the audience wanted them to be caught yet at the same time didn't. While people were talking about life - Phillip was sweating and talking angrily. Brandon wasn't as nervous as Phillip; Phillip's nervousness was apparent because he was being examined by Rupert Cadell (the boys' old house-master).
Looking at this film from a symphonies point of view, it was filled with drama, horror, mystery, and faith from the audience. Drama was captured with love. Horror was apparent by the thoughts that the murderers may actually get away with their vicious crime - murdering someone just for the sake of the thrill - the art. Mystery was from the audiences' perspective - their anticipation. Faith was present in the audience - thinking that Brandon and Phillip would be caught and the repercussions would be something significant.
Hitchcock made his claim as a profound director when making Rope. He took something so awful and made it real. All of the camera shots and the nervousness of the characters really made this film what it is. A classical Symphony.
Rating:
Summary: An Asphyxiating Film
Review: Alfred Hitchcock - one of the most widely known directors of all time - was known as 'The Master of Suspense.' In 1948 Hitchcock directed the moral thriller 'Rope.' In my opinion 'Rope' is not only a very splendid film, but rather thought provoking as well. It is different than any other movie that I have ever seen. The methods and camera style involved in this film make it one of a kind. The plot is rather intriguing making the film a suspenseful thriller.
In the opening scene of 'Rope' a murder takes place and the suspense begins. Most thrillers today lead you up to a murder that takes place farther into the film. In 'Rope' the main characters, Brandon (John Dall) and Phillip (Farley Granger), decide to murder their friend David (Dick Hogan) because they feel that they are superior to him. Brandon and Phillip strangle David with a small piece of rope and place his body in a wooden chest in the living room of their New York apartment. The two hold a small party that night. The guests include David's father (Cedric Hardwicke), his aunt Mrs. Atwater (Constance Collier), his fiancée Janet (Joan Chandler), his rival Kenneth (Douglas Dick), and the boys' former teacher Rupert (James Stewart). Brandon and Phillips servant Mrs. Wilson (Edith Evanson) is also in attendance. At the dinner party, the food is served on top of the chest which holds David's lifeless body. Everyone at the party keeps asking about the whereabouts of David. Brandon and Phillip both act suspiciously at the party. Brandon keeps dropping hints that he knows something about David's location while Phillip's overwhelming guilt and fear of getting caught betrays the fact that all is not business as usual.
This movie keeps you in suspense. The whole time you question whether or not Brandon and Phillip will be caught. One of the scenes in the movie that I thought was nail-bitingly suspenseful was when the servant, Mrs. Wilson, almost discovered David's body. She was going to put away a few books that the guests had been looking at. The camera work was done very well in this scene. The camera follows each of her movements as she takes the food, the dishes, then the candles, and lastly the tablecloth off of the chest where David's body is hidden. Mrs. Wilson started to open the chest and just before she opens it enough to see inside, Brandon comes over and shuts the chest and told her she could straighten up the next day. After seeing this film I now know why Alfred Hitchcock is undisputed 'Master of Suspense.'
Hitchcock also used other techniques to make 'Rope' unique and memorable. The camera work in this film is uncommon. The film is a collection of ten minute takes. At the end of each take, the camera zooms into a dark area such as a character's jacket. The result of this impressive camera work is that the story is shot in real time. The period of time in which the film takes place is the same as the length of the film. The setting of "Rope" is only in one place, the living room of Brandon and Phillip's apartment. Hitchcock uses very little sound effects in this film. The only sounds besides the actors' voices is that of Phillip playing the piano to distract himself, and the gun shots followed by the sound of sirens at the end of the film. The actors cast in this film are superb and plausible, but James Stewart's performance as Rupert stands out. The scenes with Stewart and his two murdering former students are extremely gripping and believable. He solves the mystery of David's strange disappearance in a way that is natural to his character.
A good thriller film appeals to people of all generations, no matter what decade it was made. A film with excellent directing, successful actors, interesting plot, and unusual camera work is always worth seeing. After viewing this film I now understand why "Rope," along with other Hitchcock films, remains a timeless thriller.
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