Rope (1948)

Rope (1948)

 

7/10

Starring

James Stewart

John Dall

Farley Granger

Joan Chandler

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Rope is an artwork directed by the late, great Alfred Hitchcock. The movie is set in real time, giving it the feel of being done in one continuous take (though it’s actually composed of several segments filmed this way). Its artistry earns applause not just for Hitchcock but also for editor William H. Ziegler. Rope dives deep into the mind of someone truly rotten to the core. With its brilliant narrative, it stands out as a satisfying crime thriller about two men attempting to commit the perfect murder.

The film is an adaptation of a 1929 play of the same name and is one of Hitchcock’s first to be shot in Technicolor. It features fantastic acting that’s better experienced than described: the overwhelming confidence of Brandon (John Dall), the shakiness of Philip (Farley Granger), and the intellectual assertiveness of Rupert (James Stewart).

The story begins with Brandon and Philip murdering a man named David. You might think they’d dispose of the body or take some reasonable next steps, but instead, Brandon decides to show off while Philip would rather flee. Brandon hides the body in a table, sets up a buffet on top of it, and invites guests over: Janet (David’s girlfriend), Kenneth (Janet’s former boyfriend), Rupert (the housemaster of Brandon, Philip, David, and Kenneth), and two others.

Brandon has a bizarre plan: to survive the evening without anyone discovering David’s body and to impress Rupert. Rupert, known for his philosophical musings about crime, has been noted for saying that murder is a crime for most men but a privilege for the few.

The film focuses on Brandon’s attempt to get away with the “perfect” crime while the body lies hidden right under the noses of David’s acquaintances. Meanwhile, Rupert gradually pieces together what’s going on, guided by his intuition and observations of Brandon and Philip.

The dialogue could use some fine-tuning, and the single-location setting creates a sense of confinement that might feel limiting to some. Still, Hitchcock deserves praise for his ambitious approach. While the editing is impressive for its time, it feels like a modern production could elevate it even further. What truly pushes this film over the top is the acting—both from the leads and the supporting cast. Their performances compensate for many of the movie’s shortcomings and make it a must-watch.

There’s a peculiar, tense sexual dynamic between Brandon and Philip, which feels more intentional than coincidental. Kenneth even comments on how Brandon used to hang on Rupert’s every word. At the time of its release, the movie didn’t attract enough viewers to become a hit.

However, I still believe Rope is one of the lesser-celebrated masterpieces of the storytelling genius, Alfred Hitchcock.