Rope

Rope

Rope is a psychological film. it was adapted from Patrick Hamilton's Play which appeared 1929. The play was based upon real life murderess Leopold and Loeb who killed an innocent man to see how it felt. The case became very famous in America. It was linked to the ideas of Nietzsche and his of notions of "Superman" a morally superior being. Nietzsche ideas influenced Hitler and the rise of the Nazis.

Alfred Hitchcock

The film was made in 1948 and directed Alfred Hitchcock. The unique and interesting thing about the film is the editing. Hitchcock wanted to film the story as one long continuous take so it like watching a play and the audience felt they were living the action. However, before the digital, film came in ten minute rolls. Hitchcock had to compromise and each unedited scene is ten minutes long. Changes between scenes appears rather "clunky" to a modern audience.

Using this editing technique creates a feeling of claustrophobia. The actors and the audience are both trapped in the film. The trunk with the body in the present throughout which adds to the tension. Because both the audience and the actors whether or not the trunk will be opened or if Philip and Brandon be discovered.

Another fascinating element to the film is the way homosexuality is portrayed. The strict censorship of the 1920s meant that the subject could be implies not openly stated. 

Thrillers use such devices as:

James Stewart

• Suspense- We constantly for the body to be discovered in the trunk
• Cliff hangers- At the end of the film with Rupert Cadell( played by James Stewart) be killed by Brandon and Philip?