Why Alfred Hitchcock’s Most Iconic Movie Was Criticized by Him and 1950s Critics

It’s dizzying to think about the number of classic films Alfred Hitchcock created throughout his illustrious career. Iconic titles like ‘Psycho’, ‘North by Northwest’, ‘Vertigo’, ‘Rear Window’, and ‘The Birds’ quickly come to mind. Among his many collaborations with Hollywood star Jimmy Stewart, one film stands out as both celebrated and contentious. ‘Rope’, featuring Stewart in the lead role, was considered a failure by both Hitchcock and many critics upon its release, despite being remembered fondly today. So, what made ‘Rope’ such a polarizing film at the time, and why is it now regarded as one of Hitchcock’s best works?

‘Rope’ tells the story of two young men, Brandon and Phillip (played by John Dall and Farley Granger), who commit murder and hide the body in the same room where they are about to host a dinner party. Among the guests is Rupert Cadell, played by Stewart, who gradually becomes suspicious of the pair as he tries to piece together the events leading up to the party. Themes of intellectualism and moral ambiguity run throughout the film, with the murder presented as an “experiment.” 

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What makes ‘Rope’ truly iconic is its unique camerawork. The film is designed to give the illusion of being shot in a single continuous take, with clever camera movements that obscure necessary cuts. This technique enhances the suspense, keeping viewers on edge as the threat of discovery looms over the dinner party. 

Despite its technical prowess,‘Rope’ received mixed reviews at its premiere in 1948, with critics arguing that the one-shot approach detracted from the film’s impact. The New York Times called it a “thin exercise in suspense,” while Variety noted that the technique was more impressive to industry professionals than to general audiences. Interestingly, Hitchcock himself labelled ‘Rope’ an “experiment that didn’t work out,” indicating that he may not have fully appreciated the film’s innovative approach.

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‘Rope’ has since influenced numerous filmmakers, paving the way for the long-take technique used in acclaimed 21st-century films like ‘Birdman’ and ‘1917’. These films adopted Hitchcock’s style to create suspense and immersion in their respective narratives. Even television shows like ‘The Bear’ have effectively utilized this technique, demonstrating its lasting impact on storytelling.

Though ‘Rope’ was not fully embraced at the time of its release, its groundbreaking methods have solidified its status as a classic and inspired countless works in cinema and beyond.

–Farheen Ali 

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