I really enjoy this film. Love the apparent one long take structure. Keeps you in the plot through the entire party. Plus it's a very interesting idea.
The first time I watched this film, when the housekeeper was clearing the items off the chest, I was so focused on listening to the dialogue of the characters off-screen, when I realized what was happening, I almost screamed! That's definitely one of my favorite scenes in all of Hitchcock's movies. Great review; I need to re-watch this movie yet again and soon 👍
I didn't catch a change of roll in the first 27 minutes. The rest was obvious, but in that 27 minutes I wouldn't argue if you tell me it was just one shot. Talking about one shot scenes, my favourite used to be the Dunkirk one in Atonement, but now it's the final 60 minutes of the chinese 2018's Long Day's Journey Into Night
Great review! One of my favorite thrillers, in part because of all the technical wizardry you mentioned. It also helps that I first saw it at the Harvard Square Theater (right near the action of the film!) in 1983 or '84 when it was finally re-released with several other Hitchcock films that had been kept under wraps for decades.
Oh my word! Thank you so much for mentioning the sequence when the maid is clearing the chest and almost opens it. That is easily one of my favorite moments in all of movies. I mentioned in another comment this is my personal favorite Hitchcock and I can go on and on about it. You pretty much nailed every point. But I would also add that the reason I love it so much is because of Hitchcock's ability to create so much drama and tension around one single event. I really appreciate movies that can do that well and this is one of the best. Which is funny because I also love huge epics that have massive casts and move across multiple landscapes. Another great review, and a very personal thank you for reviewing my favorite Hitchcock movie
In the context of Hitch's oeuvre this is a minor work but a gem nonetheless. I agree with you in that I wouldn't place it amongst his top 10, but the film does have it's charms. Also it has a sense of claustrophobia which precedes 'Rear Window' and 'Dial M for Murder' in that the film takes place almost entirely on one set. By the way, have you ever seen the 1959 film 'Compulsion' which is based directly on the Leopold/Loeb murder, and if so, what did you think of it? Anyway, thanks for posting - always look forward to your reviews!
I agree about the claustrophobia, especially toward the end. I think there are more close-ups in the last ten minutes than in the rest of the movie. I'm somewhat familiar with Compulsion, but I haven't seen the whole thing. It's on the to-watch list. Thanks!
It's interesting that the "original theatrical trailer" has a scene that could be considered an introduction to the film itself. I mean, it's not like the trailers we normally watch, showing highlights of the film. Very good review, dear Jerome! I made now my inscription in your channell.
Yes, Hitchcock had a few atypical movie trailers. Thank you very much! I've been enjoying your comments as you watch old videos, and I'm happy to have you aboard!
I know a lot of people love this movie, but I think the continuous shot gimmick hurts what could have been a better movie if it had been shot more conventionally. Another good review JW. If you're interested, I could list my ranking of the 47 Hitchcock movies that I've seen.
@@JeromeWeiselberrySince sleep isn't coming so easily tonight, here you go. I know my #1 isn't his best, but it is my favorite for a few reasons. 1 The Trouble with Harry 2 Notorious 3 Rear Window 4 North By Northwest 5 To Catch a Thief 6 Shadow of a Doubt 7 The Lady Vanishes 8 Strangers on a Train 9 Saboteur 10 Dial M for Murder 11 The Birds 12 The 39 Steps 13 Foreign Correspondent 14 Lifeboat 15 Psycho 16 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) 17 Sabotage 18 Frenzy 19 The Lodger 20 Stage Fright 21 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) 22 Suspicion 23 Spellbound 24 Vertigo 25 Secret Agent 26 Family Plot 27 Mr. and Mrs. Smith 28 The Wrong Man 29 Rebecca 30 Jamaica Inn 31 Blackmail 32 Marnie 33 Murder 34 Under Capricorn 35 Rope 36 The Paradine Case 37 I, Confess 38 Young and Innocent 39 Champagne 40 Rich and Strange 41 The Skin Game 42 Waltzes From Vienna 43 Torn Curtain 44 Topaz 45 The Manxman 46 Number 17 47 Juno and the Paycock
@@josephmayo3253 Thanks for sharing your list! I like that you're not afraid to be unconventional, like ranking Vertigo in the mid-20s and placing Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which often isn't included in such rankings, above some of his famous thrillers. I think the only thing I'd fuss about is that you put Rebecca all the way down at 29, ha. I don't know if I'll ever feel bold enough to publish such a list myself, but sometime I'll probably share my own top 10 or 11. My choices seem to be pretty locked in at this point.
@@josephmayo3253 I can't remember if I've seen that or not. There was a point years ago where I watched a bunch of bad movies on one of those cheap boxed sets in close succession, and unfortunately they got blended together in my memory. Since I don't recognize any images from it, though, I'm thinking it's a no, ha. :)
I haven't seen this one yet, but it looks like a good one! Definitely adding to must-see list. Thanks for another fantastic review. Very interesting tidbits about the film production. I love hearing about stuff like that.
This movie is OK, but I don't really like it that much. It's gimmicky. It seems as though the fact that these are long takes and everything is supposed to flow from one to the other is more important than crafting a good story with good characters. I think it bothers me that I am watching this hoping that they getaway with this. They are bad people who killed somebody, but because they are the centers of the movie, I think it is natural to "root" for them. I feel guilty at that. This is obviously not the perfect murder - they make many mistakes. I'm pretty sure that the perfect murder would not involve having a party afterwards, serving food where the body is hidden, or droping hints about it. They don't seem very intellectually superior to much at all. They forget about the hat in the closet. They don't notice the rope hanging out of the chest at first. You don't plan a murder with somebody who is easily unhinged as Granger's character is. You can see he can't handle pressure very well. Makes me wonder what kind of concert pianist he thought he was going to be. They should have moved the body any place else when Rupert called and said he was coming back up. They knew he suspected something. If the body would have been in the bedroom closet, for example, he would have looked in the chest and would have been out of options. The person who wrote the screenplay said that Hitch should not have shown the murder in the beginning, which would have caused you to actually wonder if a body was in there. And that seems like a good idea to me. I agree with you that I liked the shot of the maid cleaning the table - good suspense. Overall, there was too much talking and no action, except for the gun wrestling at the end. Misses the mark with me.
As I get older this movie seems horrifying and sick. The beginning is the strangling of a young man which is gross and off putting. I wonder if people, especially crime victims, got up and walked out of the theater. Way too talkative and appalling that the parents and girlfriend come over and their loved one is dead feet away. It came on TCM lat night and I had to turn it off within about ten minutes. I’ve seen it before but this time it seemed disgusting.
![ROPE (1948) Movie Breakdown & Review by [SHM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZoX9CmPHJts/mqdefault.jpg)
This, along with Rear Window are my favourite Hitchcock. Really enjoying your Hitchcock reviews.
Thank you!
I really enjoy this film. Love the apparent one long take structure. Keeps you in the plot through the entire party. Plus it's a very interesting idea.
The first time I watched this film, when the housekeeper was clearing the items off the chest, I was so focused on listening to the dialogue of the characters off-screen, when I realized what was happening, I almost screamed! That's definitely one of my favorite scenes in all of Hitchcock's movies.
Great review; I need to re-watch this movie yet again and soon 👍
I really liked Joan Chandler in this (David's girlfriend), I wish she had done a lot more films! Great review!
An excellent review. A chilling story.
I didn't catch a change of roll in the first 27 minutes. The rest was obvious, but in that 27 minutes I wouldn't argue if you tell me it was just one shot.
Talking about one shot scenes, my favourite used to be the Dunkirk one in Atonement, but now it's the final 60 minutes of the chinese 2018's Long Day's Journey Into Night
Great review! One of my favorite thrillers, in part because of all the technical wizardry you mentioned. It also helps that I first saw it at the Harvard Square Theater (right near the action of the film!) in 1983 or '84 when it was finally re-released with several other Hitchcock films that had been kept under wraps for decades.
James Stewart was so good in this.
Oh my word! Thank you so much for mentioning the sequence when the maid is clearing the chest and almost opens it. That is easily one of my favorite moments in all of movies. I mentioned in another comment this is my personal favorite Hitchcock and I can go on and on about it. You pretty much nailed every point. But I would also add that the reason I love it so much is because of Hitchcock's ability to create so much drama and tension around one single event. I really appreciate movies that can do that well and this is one of the best. Which is funny because I also love huge epics that have massive casts and move across multiple landscapes. Another great review, and a very personal thank you for reviewing my favorite Hitchcock movie
You're welcome, and thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :D
loved the video
It's a shame it's not in your top 10 cuz it's definitely in mine, it may not be in top 5, but it's definitely an excellent movie.
This film is genius first watched it in my early 20s the continuous shot is on another level for the time
In the context of Hitch's oeuvre this is a minor work but a gem nonetheless. I agree with you in that I wouldn't place it amongst his top 10, but the film does have it's charms. Also it has a sense of claustrophobia which precedes 'Rear Window' and 'Dial M for Murder' in that the film takes place almost entirely on one set. By the way, have you ever seen the 1959 film 'Compulsion' which is based directly on the Leopold/Loeb murder, and if so, what did you think of it? Anyway, thanks for posting - always look forward to your reviews!
I agree about the claustrophobia, especially toward the end. I think there are more close-ups in the last ten minutes than in the rest of the movie. I'm somewhat familiar with Compulsion, but I haven't seen the whole thing. It's on the to-watch list. Thanks!
Rope was Def Hitch's most underappreciated film
It's interesting that the "original theatrical trailer" has a scene that could be considered an introduction to the film itself. I mean, it's not like the trailers we normally watch, showing highlights of the film. Very good review, dear Jerome! I made now my inscription in your channell.
Yes, Hitchcock had a few atypical movie trailers. Thank you very much! I've been enjoying your comments as you watch old videos, and I'm happy to have you aboard!
I know a lot of people love this movie, but I think the continuous shot gimmick hurts what could have been a better movie if it had been shot more conventionally.
Another good review JW. If you're interested, I could list my ranking of the 47 Hitchcock movies that I've seen.
Oh, I'm interested!
@@JeromeWeiselberrySince sleep isn't coming so easily tonight, here you go. I know my #1 isn't his best, but it is my favorite for a few reasons.
1 The Trouble with Harry
2 Notorious
3 Rear Window
4 North By Northwest
5 To Catch a Thief
6 Shadow of a Doubt
7 The Lady Vanishes
8 Strangers on a Train
9 Saboteur
10 Dial M for Murder
11 The Birds
12 The 39 Steps
13 Foreign Correspondent
14 Lifeboat
15 Psycho
16 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)
17 Sabotage
18 Frenzy
19 The Lodger
20 Stage Fright
21 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
22 Suspicion
23 Spellbound
24 Vertigo
25 Secret Agent
26 Family Plot
27 Mr. and Mrs. Smith
28 The Wrong Man
29 Rebecca
30 Jamaica Inn
31 Blackmail
32 Marnie
33 Murder
34 Under Capricorn
35 Rope
36 The Paradine Case
37 I, Confess
38 Young and Innocent
39 Champagne
40 Rich and Strange
41 The Skin Game
42 Waltzes From Vienna
43 Torn Curtain
44 Topaz
45 The Manxman
46 Number 17
47 Juno and the Paycock
@@JeromeWeiselberry Oh, and today I'm watching The Beast of Yucca Flats for Halljoeween Schlockfest. Lots of fun.
@@josephmayo3253 Thanks for sharing your list! I like that you're not afraid to be unconventional, like ranking Vertigo in the mid-20s and placing Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which often isn't included in such rankings, above some of his famous thrillers. I think the only thing I'd fuss about is that you put Rebecca all the way down at 29, ha. I don't know if I'll ever feel bold enough to publish such a list myself, but sometime I'll probably share my own top 10 or 11. My choices seem to be pretty locked in at this point.
@@josephmayo3253 I can't remember if I've seen that or not. There was a point years ago where I watched a bunch of bad movies on one of those cheap boxed sets in close succession, and unfortunately they got blended together in my memory. Since I don't recognize any images from it, though, I'm thinking it's a no, ha. :)
such a great film
I haven't seen this one yet, but it looks like a good one! Definitely adding to must-see list.
Thanks for another fantastic review. Very interesting tidbits about the film production. I love hearing about stuff like that.
Thanks! Yeah, I really enjoy the production stories behind all these Hitchcock movies.
Hi Jerome! Great review as always. Didn't know this movie existed before your review. Hopefully I will see it soon.
Hi! Glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you get a chance to check this one out!
Great movie.
"Compulsion" (1959), with the great Orson Welles, is also loosely based on the Leopold & Loeb case.
Ever see it?
Nope, I still haven't gotten around to watching it...
@@JeromeWeiselberry
The movie is dark and disturbing, but we'll acted and directed. If you like that sort of thing, put it on your list.
*Compulsion* actually adheres much more closely to facts of the real case (although still without using the killers' real names).
I am amazed that you have not reviewed Vertigo.
Good review, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review of a grim movie!
Thank you!
#1
Loeb's last name was pronounced 'Lobe' not 'Leb'
This movie is OK, but I don't really like it that much. It's gimmicky. It seems as though the fact that these are long takes and everything is supposed to flow from one to the other is more important than crafting a good story with good characters. I think it bothers me that I am watching this hoping that they getaway with this. They are bad people who killed somebody, but because they are the centers of the movie, I think it is natural to "root" for them. I feel guilty at that. This is obviously not the perfect murder - they make many mistakes. I'm pretty sure that the perfect murder would not involve having a party afterwards, serving food where the body is hidden, or droping hints about it. They don't seem very intellectually superior to much at all. They forget about the hat in the closet. They don't notice the rope hanging out of the chest at first. You don't plan a murder with somebody who is easily unhinged as Granger's character is. You can see he can't handle pressure very well. Makes me wonder what kind of concert pianist he thought he was going to be. They should have moved the body any place else when Rupert called and said he was coming back up. They knew he suspected something. If the body would have been in the bedroom closet, for example, he would have looked in the chest and would have been out of options. The person who wrote the screenplay said that Hitch should not have shown the murder in the beginning, which would have caused you to actually wonder if a body was in there. And that seems like a good idea to me. I agree with you that I liked the shot of the maid cleaning the table - good suspense. Overall, there was too much talking and no action, except for the gun wrestling at the end. Misses the mark with me.
As I get older this movie seems horrifying and sick. The beginning is the strangling of a young man which is gross and off putting. I wonder if people, especially crime victims, got up and walked out of the theater. Way too talkative and appalling that the parents and girlfriend come over and their loved one is dead feet away.
It came on TCM lat night and I had to turn it off within about ten minutes. I’ve seen it before but this time it seemed disgusting.
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