Cheap Rope (DVD) (James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger) (Alfred Hitchcock) Price

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Customer Reviews of 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?

Another techincal and dramatic masterpiece by Hitchcock
Rope is an amazing, amazing film. Don't miss it. It may seem a bit slow for some, but Hitchcock enthusiasts will love it. James Stewart is a bit miscast for Rupert Cadell (he looks a little young), but his performance is as memorable as always. John Dall does well as the psychotic murderer with theories of superiority, but his stutter becomes a bit frustrating. Philip (Farley Granger)does well as the slowly maddening co-murderer (if i may call it that) of David, becoming overridden by guilt during the course of the party. I've heard this film is loosely based on the Leoplad and Loeb murders and adapted from a play. THIS MOVIE MUST BE WATCHED SEVERAL TIMES TO NOTICE THE SUBTLE BLACK HUMOR BETWEEN THE GUESTS OF THE PARTY. HITCHCOCK'S TELLTALE SYMBOL CAN BE SEEN IN A NIGHT SCENE IN A NEON SIGN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

Measure your words carefully. They may be taken seriously

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Format: Color
Studio: Universal Studios
Video Release Date: May 23, 1995

Cast:

James Stewart ... Rupert Cadell
John Dall ... Brandon Shaw
Farley Granger ... Phillip Morgan
Cedric Hardwicke ... Mr. Kentley
Constance Collier ... Mrs. Atwater
Douglas Dick ... Kenneth Lawrence
Edith Evanson ... Mrs. Wilson
Dick Hogan ... David Kentley
Joan Chandler ... Janet Walker
Alfred Hitchcock ... Man walking in street after opening credits
The Three Suns ... Group cast appearance (radio sequence)

Two young men decide to kill a friend for kicks. ala Leopold and Loeb, because one of them, Brandon Shaw (John Dall) thinks he is a superior human being, and above the rules, and the victim is inferior and therefore fair game. He quotes a former professor, Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) who has verbalized such a proposition in class.

They do, indeed, strangle the other young man, David Kentley (Dick Hogan), place his body in a trunk, and then throw a party to which they invite Bentley's parents, his girl friend, Prof. Cadell and others, and serve food and drinks from the trunk in which the body lies. Cadell, a bright man, realizes that something funny is going on and investigates.

This is an entertaining movie. Hitchcock. the director, admitted that he made the film on a lark, and that it was not a serious endeavor, but given his genius it came out very well anyway. It rates 4 stars with me, at least.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books