Rating: 
Summary: Wish I Had A Rope To Hang Myself
Review: Two young men kill for fun in this Alfred Hitchcock moral thriller "Rope." To see a man being strangled to death and then thrown in a chest by two friends might have been shocking for audiences in 1948, but it is nothing compared to the gore and killing seen in movies today or even of "Psycho" only a few years later in 1960. In a good movie I look for good acting, a good story line and a good setting. I also look to make sure that all these elements can withstand the test of time. I knew before watching Rope that I didn't care for classic films, but after watching this film I really knew for certain I can't stand watching them. I found "Rope" to be very slow and boring. To someone my age the acting in this film is so outdated it makes the film almost painful to watch. I think Julia Childs made a cameo in this movie as Mrs. Atwater with her horrible accent and acting. Some people may be Jimmy Stewart lovers, but he does nothing for me in this one. His speech at the end of the film was heartfelt, but to me his voice and physical presence made it just plain cheesy. I'm a movie lover but I found it hard to stay awake during this one. The plot of the movie was somewhat interesting; Hitchcock brings up the question if it is moral to kill for no reason or simply for the thrill of it. Hitchcock also questions if it is okay to kill someone because they are "inferior." Throughout the hour and twenty minutes of "Rope" Brandon and Phillip, the killers and two main characters, argue back and forth if it was okay that they just killed their former colleague David because he was inferior to them. While watching "Rope" I found it hard to stay focused on the film because of the monotone speaking and uninspiring acting by Brandon, Phillip and cast. These two factors just further back up the fact that this film has not withstood the test of time. The fact that the set was about as entertaining as the acting in this movie didn't help either. While "Rope" was shot in a unique way, the setting never changed. In this movie Hitchcock filmed in continuous ten minute segments, every ten minutes zooming in on the back of someone's back. Although it made the movie unique in a way, it made it no more memorable. Filming "Rope" in this way made it very play like, well a low budget play, with enough money for only one set. In this movie Hitchcock filmed in continuous ten minute segments, every ten minutes zooming in on the back of someone's back. This effect made it seem as if they never had an actual break in the film. I found this to be different and something I had never seen before, but still didn't make the movie fun to watch. Throughout watching this movie I couldn't really find anything that I found engaging or attention grabbing. Many people seem to enjoy this movie because of the fact that Hitchcock was the director and they enjoy his works. I personally couldn't handle it. This film may have been good for the time, but to today's standards the film was unimpressive and hard to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: The Perfect Murder?
Review: Universal Studios and Warner Brothers came together to make a killer movie. Director Alfred Hitchcock and all of the actors make you feel like you are one of the guests at their party. The all-star cast includes John Dall as Brandon and Farley Granger as Phillip. James Stewart plays Ruport Cadell, Brandon and Phillip's retired schoolmaster. The rest of the cast is top notch throughout the whole film. The plot of the film is very twisted. The opening scene grabs your attention quickly by watching David getting strangled to death by a rope, which happens to be the name of the film. The whole rest of the movie you are left wondering and worrying about the killers getting caught. The plot is based around the idea of a perfect murder and how certain people think they can get away with it. Ruport has this fascinating idea that there are people that are superior over others. He thinks that this superiority means that they can take the live of someone who "under" them. Ruport was just making this up for some discussion, but Brandon and Phillip take it to the next step. It is very interesting and creates some discussion in and out of the movie. I felt there was one down side to the film. The whole setting was done in one room. Some may think that this enhances the fact that we are in real time, but I felt that it bored the audience. There isn't enough variety with the scenery. It is only a small draw back and I still stayed engrossed throughout the entire film. Alfred Hitchcock is amazing when it comes to suspense. He enjoys using camera angles to create this suspense, and he does it better than anyone in the business. At one point in the film, the maid is clearing off a book chest, where the food was served, in order to put the books back in. This builds suspense in itself because of what is inside the book chest. Hitchcock decided to have the camera on just the maid and the book chest while the party is out of the screen. This is very suspenseful because it is like you are the only one in the room with the maid. It makes you want to jump up and slam the chest door shut. Just in the nick of time, Brandon makes it over to shut the door for you. There is another scene where Ruport is talking about how someone could have strangled someone to death and not get caught. While Ruport is talking the camera is following the path he is making in his mind. It brings the whole thing to life and you feel more involved in the film. Hitchcock is amazing with this aspect of camera work. He makes you feel like you are involved in the plot and like you are in the room with all of the actors. Alfred Hitchcock tried a very interesting concept with this film. They could only shoot in eight to ten minute durations because of the size of film back then. Despite this, Mr. Hitchcock wanted to make it seem like one scene. He did this by zooming in on the back of an actor or a piece of furniture. This was a very good idea and it made the viewer feel like they were a part of the movie. It was very experimental and Mr. Hitchcock pulled it off well. Throughout the movie there were many innuendos about death. At one time, one of the actors talks about killing two birds with one stone. Another time one actor asks if the party is a birthday party and Brandon says it is quite the opposite of a birthday. It is like Brandon gets a kick out of hinting towards the killing. Over all I feel the film was a first rate thriller because it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It takes you through sorrow and hate towards Brandon and Phillip at the beginning to fear of them getting caught in the middle and finally joy when they finally do get caught. The acting is stupendous and you are left waiting to hear the next word to come out of the actor's mouths. Rope is a great film and disserves the title of a classic thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Unconventional, Innovative, Strange -- True Hitchcock!
Review: Dinner for eight (the guest of honor won't be joining the party). A gathering of former Ivy League chums, a girl they rivaled over, a highly admired former Professor all were acquainted with, a chatty maid, the father and aunt of a strangly absent guest of honor all gather for clever conversation and intriguing food and drink. The setting is typical Hitchcock, as is the twisted murder plot. The scene opens with the evil deed, then resumes with the emminent dinner. Hitchcocks first ever color production, "Rope" was shot in very long scenes (some lasting more than 10 minutes in a single frame), the film appears like a theatre play. Similarities to the infamous 1920s high profile Leopold-Loeb murder case are obvious but denied by a disclaimer at the end of the film. This is an undeniably "different" and very interesting Hitchcock Classic. James Stewart (pretty much playing himself, as usual), is effective as the "master detective", determined to get to the bottom of what's going on. A very young Farley Granger is great as the "frightened kid" under the thumb of his dominearing older brother. For fans of the Master, this is an enjoyable trip into the exploration of some very disturbed minds.****
Rating:
Summary: Come on film and psychology students!
Review: This was an intense and aborsbing production!
Rating: 
Summary: One of Hitchcocks Best!
Review: This film does not get the attention of other well-known Hitchcock films, though it should. It is a disturbing mystery involving the murder of a young man by his "friends". Though the film has some dated mid-century cliches, it is very forward thinking, especially in light of today's spree/joy killers. The acting is terrific. The nature of the plot requires tight, almost claustrophoic acting to make the chemistry work. James Stewart is excellent as the professor the boys admired and feared.
Rating: 
Summary: False start for Hitchcock-Stewart
Review: This was the first of four collaborations between Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart, and it was pretty much of a catastrophe. It was filmed as a stage play, with the camera up on stage among the players, all in continuous takes. The murder mystery plot was based loosely on the Leopold-Loeb case a quarter century earlier. The movie was roundly and correctly condemned when it was released as being excessively cold-blooded; Hitchcock let himself get carried away a bit; and it flopped at the box office. Fortunately it didn't sour Hitchcock on James Stewart and they went on to make three of the greatest American movies ever.
Rating:
Summary: Simple but Satisfying!!
Review: Hitchcock is of course known for his suspenseful movies but his films are also known for their cross country pursuits (THIRTY NINE STEPS), dark humor (THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY), action climax (TORN CURTAIN), blond heroine (REAR WINDOW) and special effects (THE BIRDS). Rarely is the film carried by the strength of the actors. 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
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully restored. It's all here. High-quality.
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's ROPE has finally been restored for DVD in beautiful color. It's all here. The picture is high-quality and the sound is superb. I will not say a word about the film's plot because I do not want to spoil it for anyone. The film is a very rare and there is no other film like it. On your DVD in the "Bonus Materials" section is a new documentary "Rope Unleashed". How wonderful that they interviewed Farley Granger! The thing about ROPE is, is that I can watch this film over and over again and still my eye catches something new. This DVD is a must-buy for any collector and movie buff of murder and mystery involving men. Just wash your tv screen and your glasses and sit with your favorite bowl of popcorn and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A great film!
Review: This is a very good film. It is filled with tension, suspense and drama. I recommend this film, so go see it!
Rating:
Summary: I disagree with "official" editorial review
Review: How on earth could the official amzaon.com editorial review,although generally accurate in its praise and decription of the film,say that this is not among The Master's top achievements. Please recall the year was 1948 and also recall what Hitchcock actually accomplished:make a seemingly simple screenplay that unravels ENTIRELY within the confines of a dining room turn into a nail biting classic. How many directors around today(or,for that matter in 1948 could pull that off??!!This is defintely amomg my top Hitchcock favorites,and,forgive me,but I appreciated "Rope" more than "Rear Window",which unto this day is still hailed as THE Number One Hitchcock.
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