Rope (1948)

                                                                              Fig.1

The movie Rope, Starring; James Stewart, Farley Granger and John Dall, Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Rope is one of the first movies to be produced practically unedited, the few times that what might be called an edit was made was when the film ran out, the clever way Hitchcock transitioned it was almost like telling you this is a new reel, without feeling annoyed by the familiar cut.

Hitchcock proves with this movie that editing  is not the only way to achieve masterful shots like; Long shots, close-ups, couple shots etc.

The tactful filming almost prepares you for what shot they were aiming for, however until the camera stops moving and presents the audience with a view easily recognised  in other films, only by way of  what is called "invisible editing" we are given something familiar yet new.

 Rope was also "Hitchcock’s first full colour production, Second, it was filmed to flow as if it had no cuts.  Each shot ended only when the camera ran out of film.  With Alfred’s brilliant timing and editing skills, these moments go unnoticed". (Ryan .S.2010)

                                                                              Fig.2

For an "experiment that didn't work" (Ebert.1984) Hitchcock want to great lengths to enable him to shot what would seem like one continuous shot "He built elaborate sets with movable walls on wheels. He choreographed his actors so that they and the camera could perform intricate ballets without interrupting the action" (Ebert.1984)

What was interesting from an outside perspective was not only were there no editing, that would mean if anything happened on the set that shouldn't of the actors would need to work through it themselves whilst being in character, two scenes where you see fumbling of this kind is when Brandon lights the Candles and one is wonky, the fact he continually tries to fix it, and fails, was a hint, the second was when Rupert returns to the boy's apartment he sits and takes out his cigarette holder and spends at least 7 seconds trying to find the opening to the case. It was unusual to these kind of accidents in the main reel however it was also refreshing because it was more realistic, as humans we don't always seem to open/correct something the first time around.

                                                                           Fig.3

Marquez Chapresto brings forward an excellent point "Beyond anecdote of something that continues to be a sort of juggling cameraman, however estimable and shiny it may be, the greatest merit of a film like 'Rope' is its ability to, from a compressed format so time and space (the film barely eighty minutes), develop a plot of suspense to the narrative progression sufficient to generate tension and uncertainties that need to engage the viewer emotionally in the story". (Chapresto.2010)

Illustration List:
- Fig.1 http://factoidz.com/ten-best-alfred-hitchcock-movies/
- Fig.2 http://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/rope/rope.html
- Fig.3 http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2008/06/book-review-the-wrong- house-th.php

Biblography:
-Rope: Roger Ebert.1984.http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19840615/REVIEWS/811069998/1023 (accessed on 1.2.11)
- Rope review(1948) Ryan.S.2010http://didyoumissit.com/?p=96(accessed on 1.2.11)
-Rope Review Marquez Chapresto.2010.http://www.suite101.net/content/la-soga-hitchcock-y-la-experimentacion-formal-con-el-suspense-a23037 (accessed on 1.2.11)