7 Reasons Why Rope (1948) is a Perfect Movie

[@1966Heath]

Seriously under-rated movie. Hitchcock really shined when he was doing small stuff like this as opposed to the huge films. Rope is intimate and chilling and simple.

[@wrestletales]

One of the things people miss is how in the beginning, Brandon talks about David's last cup of whiskey. In the final scene, Brandon drinks his final whiskey from the same cup. Hitchcock was cool man.

[@AdamsOlympia]

Just watched Rope and The Trouble with Harry for the first time. Rope was great but the latter was just sublime--second only to The Birds in my opinion.

[@gloriahudson9408]

I agree with all your reasoning. But, to me, the best in Rope is Jimmy Stewart. His slow awareness of what happened in the room before the party deserves an academy award. From funny to furious, from cinic to sad. All that force Is priceless. Thanks for recognizing the beauty in this movie.

[@ArtByEmilyHare]

Yeah Jimmy was amazing, so subtle too.

[@poetcomic1]

He OPENLY espouses supermen with a right to murder and then is SHOCKED SHOCKED that his poisonous words influenced his eager students. James Mason would have been perfect.

[@Physchemphys]

I have always suspected that Stewart was uncomfortable with the narrative of the script, and his personal discomfort influenced his performance in a strangely joyless way.

[@beacee]

One of my fav Hitchcock films as well! It’s hard to watch that opening scene though.

[@J-Dune]

The claustrophobia of being in the same room for so long, adds tension and allows the camera to linger and roam around. Especially when the furniture is moving around

[@elijeremiah1058]

“I’d kill to entertain my friends in this apartment.” Clever 😂

[@toyiahm]

Thank you! I'm glad someone appreciated that ;P

[@elijeremiah1058]

@@toyiahm yes very good 😂. It reminded me of something Hitch himself would have said on Alfred Hitchcock Presents

[@curiousworld7912]

I couldn't agree more strongly. 'Rope' is a masterpiece, in so many ways - its cinematography, set design, dialogue, casting - it's all fantastic, and a film I go back to often. The use of the Leopold and Loeb crime at the center of the two lead characters' actions, was brilliant - the gay subtext, references to Nietzsche's 'ubermensch', 'sons of privilege', class, etc., was spot-on in relation to that case. I've been recommending this film to friends for years, and am delighted to see your video, which gives this wonderful work its due. :)

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Well, all good, said, and done. However, as a Hitchcock fan, the one compelling reason for studying this film is that it is one of Hitch's great experiments. It's shot in one take, beginning to end. Quite tricky, very complicated, highly technical, and not deemed by it's maker as that worthwhile to telling the audience a story. The second best reason to grab hold of this gem is for all the Homo stuff, of which there is a lot, if you have gaydar. Most of America missed all that. Farley Granger was this All-American leading man. The other fella is obviously gay as a green goat. Hitch loved a good joke.The "funnest" part of Rope is watching Jimmy Stewart play a queen, and not realizing that his character IS a queen. Duh. Hitchcock, more than meets the eye (there is no blood shown on screen in Psycho).

[@dianegoodreads]

Excellent analysis. This is one of my favorite films of all time. I screen it a few times per year.

[@RobertTannenberg]

So much intensity and drama for a movie about one evening. Hitchcock was a master.

[@joslynscott466]

Yes, Rope is a fantastic and underrated movie. I watch it often. Hitchcock is my favorite director by far. I will now make you very jealous. I first saw Rope in the 1980s as it was part of the five Hitchcock movies taken out of the vault for the first time. These movies were shown in the more private theaters over the entire summer. None of the big movie chains had them. I saw the movies in a lovely 1940s built theater with great acoustics. The local theater owner named the series, "Dial H for Hitchcock". While buying popcorn before one of the movies, my state governor approached the counter right beside me. Pretty cool . I so wish those movies would be released in the theater again. That was a great summer.

[@hamburgareable]

I love this movie too! And it goes to show that Alfred Hitchcock manifested everything with his camera, because it never gets cut. Or edited. It just speeds up the action without overdoing it. He paints the canvas with so much darkness that you really believe Rupert is in for a great shock to find out that one of his students has been choked up by his two promising pupils. But two of them consider themselves potential Supermen.

[@shyamdevadas6099]

I always thought that Rope was highly underrated. To me, it's one of the top Hitchcock films.

[@Fernando-iy3fg]

Rope is a massively underrated movie It's easily on my Hitchcock's top 5

[@ElmoWorx]

John Dall behaves as a perfect, young version of James Stewart in this film. His character is clearly trying to emulate the man he thinks of as his inspiration. Everything in his actions is meant to duplicate Stewart's mannerisms. A nice touch.

[@toyiahm]

Interesting take on that. I never thought that before but I can totally see it

[@JT-rx1eo]

Hmmmm. I've never thought that either. I'll watch it again and see if I detect emulation.

[@keithpopko2540]

Thanks for that observation, which I see is quite evident now.

[@sifatshams1113]

Rope is easily one of the creepiest and most quietly eerie films I've ever seen, and this is coming from a guy who's seen well over a thousand horror films. Something about it just unnerves me in a way VERY few other films have managed to.

[@kaykeybear3334]

I am enthralled by The character Brandon (Robert Dall I believe). His face and movements , voice inflection….love him! And I LOVE Rope!!! Under appreciated and not discussed enough!!

[@bb1111116]

I just watched “Rope” again because of this review. Great film.

[@Edward-jn5pl]

Just love your commentary (and your soothing voice). Everything you say is spot on. Today I re-watched Rope. I love this movie. The cityscape, and the sky, and changing colours and lights make it so gorgeous. An amazing work of art and a fascinating cultural artifact.

[@stephenbastasch7893]

Oh, what a wonderful review of a marvelous film. Thank you!

[@Kexgoija]

Very deserving and wonderful praise for Hitch. When I watch this, I cannot help thinking that this work preceded his icons.❤

[@ArchieAndy27]

Totally agree! Due to its limited setting and camerawork, Rope tends to get criminally overlooked when compared to Hitchcock's more famous works ie. The Birds or Vertigo. Because of these factors (& more, as detailed in this excellent video), the film is arguably just as technically outstanding and is worthy of standing up there with his more well revered films. I was lucky to see Rope on the big screen recently and marvelled at the performances, costumes and the technical brilliance. An underrated classic indeed!

[@1funkyflyguy]

Rope is and has always been one of my favourite top 20 movie of all time. So unique in it's whole design and execution. A stone cold masterpiece in my opinion.

[@freden9234]

I loved your commentary! I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of this wonderful film. The “one long shot” technique of the film is especially wonderful and your description was very astute. Thanks so much for this homage.

[@DianeWilliams-c4e]

This is an excellent essay. I love movies that take place in a single room, that’s why Rope and Dial M for Murder are two of my favorites.

[@davidfairfield7067]

I can't take my eyes off of Janet. Chandler is rarely singled out but she is superb from the moment she steps in until the moment she leaves. Her voice, inflections, looks....a shout out to Joan Chandler.

[@naticolin]

My mom introduced Hitchcock to me when I was young young. I think the first movie I saw was Strangers on a Train around 10 years old. Shortly after, I was running out of Hitchcock to watch and had Rope remaining. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and has influenced how I enjoy movies/storytelling.

[@stephenward7856]

You have a wonderful speaking voice, so soothing, great narration!

[@PhilipDrown]

Agree…great and thoughtful video! I first discovered Rope as a teen-anger in the mid 1980s. I also think it is better than Psycho, The Birds, and North By Northwest. The complexity and layered psychology of the characters are the most true to life of any Hitchcock film (IMO). And there is a subtle, saturating darkness that radiates from the film from the first scene. It penetrates and disturbs me every time I watch.

[@elijeremiah1058]

I love this movie so much. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been enthralled by its dark spell.

[@kathleengorney7829]

Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this. I love seeing the decor of the classic films. Exceptional describes the setting of this film. It was a pleasure to revisit the story of "Rope" and it lures me into to wanting to view more.

[@Bazzkorg]

So glad this movie's greatly appreciated. It's one of my favorite movies. Not just Hitchcock, but overall. So much is done in what's a small set and small amount of time passing. But Hitchcock, the writing, and the actors make so much of it!

[@fatherofchickens7951]

I’ve only discovered this movie a few months ago. And I must’ve watched it…4 if not more times!

[@toyiahm]

I know the feeling and reacted the same way when I first saw it!

[@VenusDeMilitant]

Really well done commentary. Thank you.

[@isomeme]

I completely agree with you. I love astonishing friends by showing them this film.

[@MISHKINPUSH]

I haven't watched this film in over a decade, but your thoughtful review has inspired me to see it again. Thanks for the great video.

[@mikeschmidt8256]

Hell, yes-Rope. Your delivery is excellent

[@debbieking5171]

I love it too, you are right it is underrated.

[@anitarichmond8930]

Again I must say,anytime I’m given the opportunity to gosh over a classic movie I’m there for it. After the way you covered all the bases, the only thing left to say is , bravo 🍿🥤🍫

[@scottgarver5782]

What a perfectly written review of a favorite film ! Your observations are complete and perspicacious. As a film buff the first thing I usually notice is the production design, costume design, and color palette. I've always swooned over the "Rope" set and the darkening skyline with the cumulous clouds turning a rosy, cotton-candy pink ! ( Hitch's device of the lurid neon sign outside the window adding a carnivalesque chiaroscuro is one that he would revisit in "Vertigo" when Judy finally achieves her transformation into Madeleine. ) The first time I saw "Rope" was in New Orleans in 1984. I was 18 years old. The city has one of those cavernous, overly opulent, theme-based cinema houses like Grauman's Chinese. The Saenger, New Orleans is a baroque concoction of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. The theater had just undergone its first major renovations since it had been built in 1924. They hosted a Hitchcock summer film festival to draw in the crowds. That summer, on a huge cinema screen, I saw, "Rope", "The Man Who Knew too Much" (2nd ), "Vertigo", and "Rear Window" as they were meant to be seen on the silver screen - with before and after concerts on the giant Wurlitzer organ to boot ! It's a memory I'll never forget of an opportunity few have. To this day all the Jimmy Stewart films are my favorite Hitchcock films. And, the night I saw it, I fell into my lifelong crush on Farley Granger ! Thank you for filling my heart with so much joy from your wonderful review !

[@sandrakenslow9540]

I love this movie for all the reasons you mentioned. Thank you.

[@philthomas8351]

Really liked the characters and story of Rope. One of my favorite Hitchcock films. Good analysis!

[@josephranney3497]

Great breakdown of the movie. It is always one of my favorites.

[@thedandyscopic]

There should have been 8 reasons ! #8 : Constance Collier ‘s performance was incredible !

[@gtm604]

Great video. I remember watching this and Rear Window as a teenager and really feeling the camera as a character. This film’s cinematography truly is amazing. While not my favourite Hitchcock its certainly a great film.

[@rebeccajunge2499]

Thank you for shining a spotlight on this amazing movie! I could never understand why Hitchcock said in interviews that he didn't like it / it didn't work or why people insist that Stewart was miscast... Personally, I think it's James Stewart's best performance and a movie way ahead of its time (technically and thematically). Also, I absolutely agree about the sets and costumes: gorgeous and so beautifully in tune with the atmosphere and characterizations. This was very enjoyable, thank you!

[@dadyarusski4594]

I can never tire of talking about this richly suspenseful, beautifully done movie, that is as bizarre as captivating. If you can get past the macabre opening, it holds you to the very end. I love it, and Jimmy Stewart, may have taken liberties with his character, but he makes this film💖👏🎥🍿

[@velvetbees]

Wonderful video. This is one of my favorites too. I wondered if you would mention the changing clouds in the sky. That is one of the first things I noticed and admired about this movie. Everything else you said are also things I love. I am going to watch it again. Thank you.

[@chrislermacapulin3144]

What creeps me out about this film the most is knowing theres a dead person at the party and his closest friends are present

[@shereewilson6827]

Just found your great channel! You made me see WHY I love this film so much! You've got a new sunscriber!❤ Loved this!

[@donnaleach8119]

Wow! I just found you, Toyiah, and I am SO impressed with this video! I, too, love ‘Rope’! My favourite actor AND star is Jimmy Stewart-although Paul’s eyes can be so mesmerizing. 😉 New subbie here! Thank you for this!

[@paullewis2413]

Has to be along with Rebecca and Vertigo an example of Hitchcock at his best. I also love Stage Fright (1950) a very much underrated film.

[@18000rpm]

I loved your analysis! Think I'll go watch it again, great movie.

[@frk4musl]

Thank you for your assessment! Rope is great Hitchcock and truly underrated. Loved your insights into art direction and production design.

[@ericbrown1327]

Thank you for an insightful presentation. "Rope" is a true sleeper, and has a continual, nightmarish quality. Your assessment of James Stewart made me appreciate how his performance fit into the film in an unexpected way. Like "The Birds," there's little music in "Rope," which gives it a natural yet claustrophobic and unsettling mood. "Stage Fright" is another neglected Hitchcock film that uses a combination of film and stage actors. I look forward to your future video essays, Toyiah.

[@Anawel]

Subscribed to your channel because of this video. Beautifully done. Rope is in my top 3 films and Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor of all time!

[@lukacunningham342]

I too love Rope! It was the first ever Hitchcock film I ever saw! Did not disappoint!

[@SC-gw2kf]

I watched this for the first time a few weeks ago. So intriguing.

[@throckmorton3705]

0:01 rope starts with a huge imperfection-a man SCREAMING when he’s being choked to death!

[@toyiahm]

@@throckmorton3705 hahaha! Considering we don’t see him when he screams, one could argue the choking happened after the scream. But great point!

[@TaraColquitt]

Loved this piece and I subscribed. ☺️

[@theresabrown3473]

Hi Toyiah, Theresa here. My favorite Hitchcock is “VERTIGO.” But I enjoyed your commentary and “ROPE” has grown in my admiration over the years. Yes to exchanging murders, escaping over Mount Rushmore, birds attacking a town, wondering if Thorwald did or did NOT chop up his wife to pieces. YES to admitting to one’s Mom you’ve married an American spy and yes to falling for a woman who didn’t exist and not realizing you’ve actually used the very same woman to recreate her INTO the woman who didn’t exist in the first pace. WHEW!! A pretzel! But how audacious is “ROPE” as an exercise for the Master of Suspense - He creates a film to take place in ONE SETTING . . . where a dinner party surrounds a dead body and books are tied together with the murder weapon ~ to be delivered to the dead man’s Dad?!!! Ya gotta love the ballsy-ness of it. I thoroughly enjoyed your commentary. You really laid out what makes the movie soooo good! 👏🏽👏🏽

[@toyiahm]

Theresa! Thank you so much for the comment and so wonderful to hear from you. I love Hitchcock’s spy driven, wild rides but yeah, that one setting exercise in creating suspense is just splendid. I hope you’re doing well and still writing!

[@Pmag86]

I love this movie and love this review, and yes I just subscribed. You also just reminded me that I bought it google movies a while back. Will be giving Rope another viewing this week.

[@jonimestas9692]

The dialogue is brilliant. Great film.

[@RobOlshin]

I love Rope! It's my favorite Hitch too. Followed by Shadow Of A Doubt. Both very underrated in my opinion. Anyway, thank you for this, truly excellent work!!

[@bobmay1950]

Beautifully written commentary.

[@jeffandersen7397]

okay, just started your video...had to pause..going to watch ROPE tonight, looks like it's available as a $4 rental, and then I'll watch this ! thnx for the tip!

[@walkawalka666]

This is one of the films my film prof. showed us in class as a teaching tool (back in the 80's) along with Citizen Kane.

[@SearTheo]

I haven’t even started this video but rope is my favorite movie in the world. Thank you.. thank you…

[@SearTheo]

“I’d kill to entertain my friends in this place” haha what a great line. Rope is a masterpiece of subtlety and intentionality. You didn’t mention it in this video but in case you didn’t catch it a moment I love to point out to people is that during the opening credits of the movie there’s a policeman who walks over the sidewalk with two young boys in hand… one dressed in red (Phillips colors) and one dressed in blue (Brandon’s colors). The movie ends as it starts. That level of detail is outstanding to me. The film isn’t about catching Brandon and Phillip in a lie- we already know they committed the murder. It’s just all about waiting for the other shoe to drop… I think one of my favorite shots in the history of cinema must be when Brandon is putting the rope in the kitchen counter. The door swings open and we see him in this perfect moment with the rope dangling out of his hands like a gold chain. And he’s just looking at it with this horrible smugness… he’s the worst character in the world and I love to watch that man. Endless entertaining. I’ll make sure to watch That other John Dall movie you suggested. If he’s anything like he is in rope then I’m sure I’ll love it. I’m just always reminded about one of his final lines. “Alright… go ahead and look!! I hope you like what you see…” the way he delivers this with such vitriol and hatred, but he’s almost smiling at the fact that he got caught. It’s perfectly horrible. Thank you for this video you made some wonderful points

[@CarolLustgarten]

Excellent examination and evaluation. Well acted movie. Great characters story everything.

[@peterfeltham5612]

Yes,a truly wonderful piece of movie art by Hitchcock.

[@nealwhaley63]

“Rituals of the rich.” I love alliteration, that’s great. Something else I realized about the set design. The neon advertisements right outside the window…I’m surprised the duo took the apartment. I would think they would’ve found the neon beyond tacky. On the other hand, you could put up with it for those killer windows and view. To each his own….

[@worksbydandeprez]

I second everything you've said. I've been researching the play the movie was based on to see if it's possible to do a production here in the U.S. The tension in the theater would be glorious. You're right that the distinctive camera work gives the viewer the feeling of being in the room far more than would be the case if it were shot like other Hollywood films of the time.

[@roytupper3954]

Absolutely Agree! This is my all-time favorite Hitchcock Film !

[@ThatRosco458]

Great analysis!

[@sp1midholm]

Good analysis of a great movie

[@jennifer5512]

Loved this video! John Dall is amazing!

[@Snax_Musician]

Excellent perspective. Thank you!

[@tyrusquiroz8810]

off topic, your voice suits video essays. thanks!!

[@toyiahm]

Thank you! More coming in near future 😊

[@Tim_OSK]

Great review! ❤❤❤

[@BrianJosephMorgan]

Excellent essay.

[@alexenchanter92]

Oh yeah…I’ll be seeing this film for sure!!!

[@ArtByEmilyHare]

Still absolutely amazed that Jimmy was 40 in this role. He looks at least 50! There seems to be a theme where people looked around 10 years older than they actually were from older hollywood movies, I think it seemed to stop happening after the 70's.

[@BrodiBarringer]

Very good commentary..well thought out..as a filmmaker I believe in keeping cuts at a bare minimum..Rope and Birdman are excellent examples..(although there are a few basically 'un noticeable' cuts in both films)

[@r.rahman12]

one of my all time top three films.

[@Trip_Fontaine]

Great analysis. This is my favorite Hitchcock movie too, though I've only seen about half of them so far. The tension doesn't let up for one second with the dead body in the room just waiting to be discovered at all times. This is one of the most suspenseful films ever made. Definitely adding "Gun Crazy" to my list of films to see thanks to this video. I love John Dall here. I can't believe the studio didn't think he was sinister enough. He is terrifying in this movie.

[@audreydaleski1067]

Excellent movie. Watched it many times.

[@JDlupin]

I have ALWAYS thought Rope & Shadow of a Doubt were his best. I always figured I was totally alone on those

[@thetooginator153]

Excellent evaluation of “Rope”. “Rope” is one of those movies I watch about once a year - for pretty much the same reasons you described. I don’t know how they made the skyline outside, but that blows my mind every time I see it. I’m not surprised Jimmy Stewart wasn’t the first choice, but I think he was perfect for the role. I’m disappointed when an actor who ALWAYS plays a good or bad guy is typecast for every film. Stewart’s character is hard to pin down, but he certainly played a role in shaping the eugenic philosophy of the killers.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Once a Year? You got a bad memory?

[@AliasSchmalias]

@@jeffreykaufmann2867 Zinic statement. It's not about the memory. It's about the emotions that the movie awakes.

[@cheryllakin6736]

Love Rope, I turn to it every time I dont know what Im in the mood to watch. Understated satisfaction.

[@zachhiggins1668]

Rope blew my mind as well. On paper you'd think this would take effort to pay attention to, but it's absolutely captivating. I guess a combination of the perfect acting, script, and camera work (you pointed out so much I didn't notice. Hitchcock is the sneakiest camera director ever!) And I always forget this was 1948. Feels closer to 52 or 53. You just know contemporary fans of modernism loved this.

[@Steven66b]

Enjoyed your thoughts on this great film.

[@TheDrummersWife]

One thing I love about Rope is that is set like a play. I've read the store is loosely on the story of Leopold and Loeb. Its not my favorite but definitely top 5 Hitchcock films.

[@keithpopko2540]

Yes, it was originally a play and only the movie preview depicts it otherwise. The way it's filmed makes the viewer feel like they are onstage with the characters, and I like that.

[@andrewaustin9536]

Rope is a fantastic film. I feel it competes with Vertigo for Hitchock's best picture. The characters, the setting, the dialogue, the disturbing undercurrent of perverse amorality, it all comes together to make a truly excellent film. And thank you for your excellent, inciteful review. Well done.

[@khaledf.abdullah]

100% my favorite Hitchcock film. I love his classics and am unhealthily obsessed with Herrmann's Vertigo soundtrack, but I keep coming back to "Rope". John Dall was so good. Have you seen "Gun Crazy"? Another very ahead of its time film.

[@MADEcurious777]

Also my favorite Hitchcock film among many. In addition to Stewart, Dall, and Farley, all of the supporting cast members were flawlessly chosen with their performances adding so much variety, subtly, and sincerity. I enjoy and study wine. The fact that Veuve Clicquot is the special "champagne" ( a highly respected and luxury wine) adds to the sense of the indulgent rich who from their perspectives, probably see the apartment and its contents, including the Veuve and the high-end spirits and cut glass set, as perhaps not ordinary but expected.

[@revk8611]

Rope is one of my favourites!!!

[@Kexgoija]

Somehow Hitch got Adrian to weave some great dresses. Adrian was a giant himself, an MGM WIZARD.❤

[@DougG]

❤❤❤❤❤ this movie!

[@stubie1456]

Fun Fact: Hitchcock’s Cameo is a neon sign in the form of his “classic” silhouette in the background at night in one of the scenes.

[@dmk7700]

Excellent critique of my favorite Hitchcock flick. I appreciate the cut hand flaw you pointed out - I never noticed that before. That's why I love re-watching so many classics. As for the color/cinematography, it's those delicious looking ice cream sundaes that is burned into my psyche.

[@saadiatalib5896]

Agree! Also, Kurosawa's High and Low always reminds me of Rope...both are masterpieces of staging and framing.

[@jordyundieground3270]

Time to finally check it out!!

[@jamesallard7223]

Considering what can be done now with digital cameras, I really wish someone would revisit this. It has been one of my favorites from the first time I saw it.

[@sp1midholm]

When you say 'revisit' I assume you mean 'remake'. Sorry but I respectfully disagree. There are far too many remakes around already and not enough original stories. Certainly a modern film maker can take great inspiration from the work of Hitchcock, however I think classic movies should be left alone rather than being subject to endless remakes. Do you recall some years ago someone re-made Psycho shot-for-shot. That really didn't make sense to me!