Based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder case, "Rope" was transformed into a gripping, but very engaging story by the legendary suspense director, Alfred Hitchcock, about two young, intellectual college students Philip and Brandon (Farley Granger and John Dall) take the liberty of killing another chum named David just to break the monotony that has took its toll in their lives. To further extrapolate their devious initiative, the deadly duo goes as far as to place the corpse hidden into a chest while serving their dinner party guests and lavishly decorating the top of the chest. One of those misfortunate guests include their philosophy instructor Dr. Rupert Cadell (James Stewart), David's parents, his fiancé and he ex-boyfriend. The progression to the story concerns Philip as a slowly begins to become anguished about getting caught as questions starting swerving as to David's disappearance. However, Brandon seems more passive about the situation as he feels they can outsmart and literally get away with murder.
"Rope" further demonstrates the ways in which civilians are separated into two distinctive groups. Those who know the differences between right and wrong and behave in a more appropriate manner are often dismissed as inferior to those surrounding them (Philip). The other civilian who feels to take the liberty to act on their own behalf regardless of what has transpired in the short amount of time were deemed as superior individuals (Brandon). Therefore the homicide depicted here is in more favor to the superior by trying everything to usurp the inferior by depending on his way with words as a cover-up to the evidence that they committed the murder. The story reaches its ultimate climax when Dr. Cadell who taught the two gentlemen the theory that an extreme form of skepticism denies all existence begins to believe that these young scholars have followed what he has been lecturing that lead to the motive behind David's murder.
The shooting for "Rope" is rather unique in that it utilizes eight; 10 minute reels as a way to capture the sceneries of one continual take. It gives the audience the opportunity to savor the dialogue from the performers and add involvement so that every man and woman from audience that feeling that they too are in on this murder and metaphorically invites their audience as guests to their dinner party. The film is also not all that serious either as there is plenty of dark humor provided that is saturated with clever puns, tongue-n-cheek humor and it's quite involving to see Dr. Cadell become the Achilles Heel behind the scheming young scholars in a little cat-and-mouse game. Even for an 80 minute film, the characters are rich in development and depth.
It's a shame that "Rope" is one of the more underrated and lesser known of the Hitchcock's array of classic suspense films. Even Mr. Hitchcock himself dismissed his masterpiece as a low point in his illustrious career of making its audience, tremble, question and play games with our minds. And it leaves us with plenty of questions to take into consideration. One that crosses my mind is it true that a teacher's lectures can influence a student to commit things with them oblivious to what they're saying might be right or wrong? Or where is the line being drawn to doing right or wrong? What motivates us instinctively to do the things we do whether good or bad? These questions are for the audience to take into account whether they want to or not.
"Rope" further demonstrates the ways in which civilians are separated into two distinctive groups. Those who know the differences between right and wrong and behave in a more appropriate manner are often dismissed as inferior to those surrounding them (Philip). The other civilian who feels to take the liberty to act on their own behalf regardless of what has transpired in the short amount of time were deemed as superior individuals (Brandon). Therefore the homicide depicted here is in more favor to the superior by trying everything to usurp the inferior by depending on his way with words as a cover-up to the evidence that they committed the murder. The story reaches its ultimate climax when Dr. Cadell who taught the two gentlemen the theory that an extreme form of skepticism denies all existence begins to believe that these young scholars have followed what he has been lecturing that lead to the motive behind David's murder.
The shooting for "Rope" is rather unique in that it utilizes eight; 10 minute reels as a way to capture the sceneries of one continual take. It gives the audience the opportunity to savor the dialogue from the performers and add involvement so that every man and woman from audience that feeling that they too are in on this murder and metaphorically invites their audience as guests to their dinner party. The film is also not all that serious either as there is plenty of dark humor provided that is saturated with clever puns, tongue-n-cheek humor and it's quite involving to see Dr. Cadell become the Achilles Heel behind the scheming young scholars in a little cat-and-mouse game. Even for an 80 minute film, the characters are rich in development and depth.
It's a shame that "Rope" is one of the more underrated and lesser known of the Hitchcock's array of classic suspense films. Even Mr. Hitchcock himself dismissed his masterpiece as a low point in his illustrious career of making its audience, tremble, question and play games with our minds. And it leaves us with plenty of questions to take into consideration. One that crosses my mind is it true that a teacher's lectures can influence a student to commit things with them oblivious to what they're saying might be right or wrong? Or where is the line being drawn to doing right or wrong? What motivates us instinctively to do the things we do whether good or bad? These questions are for the audience to take into account whether they want to or not.
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