zoom_in Click to enlarge

Rope (1948)

▲ ▼

description Rope (1948) Overview

Rope is a 1948 American psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the 1929 play of the same name. The film is famous for its experimental use of long takes, with Hitchcock attempting to make the continuous narrative appear as a single, uninterrupted shot. Starring James Stewart, the plot centers on two men who commit a murder and host a party with the victim's body hidden in the room. It is intended for fans of classic cinema and those studying cinematic editing techniques.

help Rope (1948) FAQ

How did Alfred Hitchcock film the 1948 movie Rope to look like a single continuous shot?

Hitchcock used long takes lasting up to ten minutes, which was the maximum amount of film a camera magazine could hold at the time. To hide the cuts, the camera would often pan behind a dark object, like a piece of furniture or a character's back, before switching to a new reel.

Is Alfred Hitchcock's Rope based on a true story?

Yes, the plot was heavily inspired by the real-life 1924 murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. The perpetrators were wealthy University of Chicago students who killed Franks simply to prove they could commit the perfect crime.

Who are the main actors in Hitchcock's Rope?

The film stars James Stewart in his first of four collaborations with Hitchcock as the morally conflicted professor Rupert Cadell. John Dall and Farley Granger play the two young men, Brandon and Phillip, who commit the murder.

What is the significance of the setting in the movie Rope?

The entire film takes place in real-time within a single Manhattan apartment, emphasizing the claustrophobic and tense psychological nature of the plot. The apartment set also featured a massive, functioning cyclorama in the background to simulate the New York City skyline shifting over the course of the afternoon.

swap_horiz

Looking for Rope (1948) alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward