Rope Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two smug intellectuals throw the most awkward dinner party ever after hiding a body in plain sight, hoping their professor gives them a gold star for murder.

🍿 Rope: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Perfect Murder?

Brandon Shaw and Phillip Morgan, two young men living in New York City, commit a heinous act: they strangle their friend David Kentley to death with a rope. Motivated by a twisted sense of intellectual superiority, they believe they’ve committed the ‘perfect murder,’ an act justifiable by their supposed higher intellect and Nietzschean ideals.

A Dinner Party with a Deadly Secret

Immediately following the murder, Brandon and Phillip host a dinner party in their apartment. Unbeknownst to their guests, David’s body is hidden in a large wooden chest in the very same room, which also serves as the buffet table. The guests include David’s father, his fiancée Janet, a friend named Kenneth, and their former teacher, Rupert Cadell, from whom they derived their warped philosophies.

Suspicion and Mounting Tension

As the evening progresses, Brandon brazenly drops subtle hints about David’s absence, enjoying the intellectual game he’s playing. However, Phillip becomes increasingly anxious and guilt-ridden, struggling to maintain composure. Rupert, a perceptive and intelligent man, begins to suspect that something is amiss, fueled by the inconsistencies in Brandon and Phillip’s behavior and the unsettling conversation surrounding David’s disappearance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brandon Shaw (John Dall): A manipulative and arrogant intellectual who orchestrates the murder and dinner party to prove his supposed superiority.
• Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger): The nervous and guilt-ridden accomplice to the murder, struggling with the moral implications of their act.
• Rupert Cadell (James Stewart): The former teacher whose philosophical discussions inadvertently inspired the murder, leading him to confront his own culpability.
• David Kentley (Dick Hogan): The unfortunate victim of Brandon and Phillip’s twisted intellectual exercise.
• Janet Walker (Joan Chandler): David’s fiancée, who is caught in the uncomfortable tension of the dinner party and unaware of the gruesome truth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brandon: “Did you think I was serious, Rupert? I don’t think I’ve ever been serious in my life.” – Said to Rupert, revealing his detached and amoral view of the murder as merely an intellectual exercise.
• Brandon: “I’ve always wished for more artistic talent. Tonight, I’ve had the distinct feeling that I’ve finally created something.” – Brandon reveals his disturbing sense of accomplishment, viewing the murder as an artistic creation.
• Rupert: “Murder is no more than a heightened form of criminal activity.” – Rupert’s initial detached intellectualizing about murder, which inadvertently inspires Brandon and Phillip.
• Rupert: “You were right. Down deep in my heart, I’ve always known I was right. Murder is wrong. It’s always wrong.” – Rupert’s realization and condemnation of his own role in influencing Brandon and Phillip, rejecting his previous intellectual justifications for murder.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $10,883

💥 Rope Reviews

Personal Review

I was captivated by ‘Rope’ from start to finish. The single-location setting builds this incredible sense of dread, and the way the camera moves feels so deliberate and menacing. The performances are so convincing, especially John Dall, who plays Brandon with this chilling charisma. The scene where Rupert realizes the truth is so powerful! It gave me chills.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Those interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate innovative filmmaking techniques”
  • “People who enjoy stage adaptations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Murder”
  • “Implied homosexuality”
  • “Nietzschean themes”
  • “Discussions of morality”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Hitchcock masterfully uses the confined space to amplify the tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. The technical achievements are impressive, but the performances, especially James Stewart’s, truly elevate the film. A compelling exploration of morality and consequence.
• Variety: “Rope is a daring experiment that largely succeeds. The long takes create a unique sense of immediacy, and the dialogue is sharp and engaging. While the subject matter is disturbing, Hitchcock handles it with characteristic skill. The film is compelling despite the stage bound settings.

Audience Reactions

The long, continuous shots were mesmerizing and really pulled me into the story.: Viewers were impressed by the technical achievement of the long takes and the claustrophobic atmosphere created by the limited setting.

James Stewart’s performance was outstanding, showing a cynical side we rarely see from him.: Fans raved about James Stewart’s departure from his usual roles and his convincing portrayal of a complex character.

Overall Consensus: A technically impressive and suspenseful thriller that benefits from strong performances, even though it is seen by some to be a bit stagey.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alfred Hitchcock filmed ‘Rope’ in what appeared to be a single, continuous shot, using innovative techniques to hide the cuts between 8-10 minute takes, the maximum length of film reel at the time.”
• “The film is loosely based on the Leopold and Loeb case, where two wealthy students murdered a young boy in 1924 to prove their intellectual superiority.”
• “James Stewart initially disliked the experimental filming style, finding it restrictive and distracting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rope?

Rope is available for rent or purchase on several platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on cable and streaming services. Criterion Channel may also stream the film periodically.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rope, you might like these similar films:

• Compulsion (1959): Directly based on the Leopold and Loeb case, exploring similar themes of intellectual arrogance and murder.
• Funny Games (1997): Explores themes of violence committed by seemingly ordinary people, challenging the audience’s perception of morality.
• Strangers on a Train (1951): Another Hitchcock film with a suspenseful plot involving a murder pact and a battle of wits.
• Parasite (2019): Modern thriller that deals with class and the darkness of human nature.

🛒 Rope Related Products

• Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection [Blu-ray]: This Blu-ray collection includes ‘Rope’ and many other Hitchcock classics. It is a must-have for any serious film buff and features pristine transfers and bonus content.
• Rope (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection edition of ‘Rope’ features a new 4K digital restoration, interviews, and essays. It is the definitive version of the film for cinephiles.
• Alfred Hitchcock T-Shirt: Show off your love for the master of suspense with this stylish shirt! It’s perfect for movie nights or casual wear.
• Hitchcock: A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock: Donald Spoto’s ‘The Dark Side of Genius’ delves into Hitchcock’s life and filmmaking techniques, providing valuable insights into the creation of ‘Rope’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rope features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mouvement perpetuel no. 1” – performed by Francis Poulenc

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What Long Takes Can’t Do

Have you ever wondered why directors choose long takes? Or what their limitations might be? This video dives into these questions, using Hitchcock’s ‘Rope’ as an example. It’s a great watch for anyone interested in film analysis or cinematography.

✨ Rate