The framing in that last scene was amazing. One frozen at the piano, one drinking and looking colected and drinking, coldly graceful in his failing but Rupert being the one who looks defeated, while resting his hand over David's hiding place, because his world view was shattered.

".....is that what you thought when you served food from his grave?" What a line!

This movie has always reminded me of the short story "A Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe. I can't wait for Vertigo!

My favourite James Stewart performance. So cool & sharply nuanced, he radiates with a calm command & unique, pre-James Bond charisma. All eyes & little motion. One of his early post-war roles, you see a bit of the real Stewart here - the grounded, matured, veteran WWII Air Force Colonel.

Great content as usual Mia. If you want to see another older movie using the Leopold-Loeb case, try 1958 Compulsion. Or if you want another Jimmy Stweart classic, then try Anatomy of a Murder. Also I thought Hitchcock did a decent job of hinting at the potential romantic relationship between the two leads while still abiding by the code rules.

Oh, and Patrick Hamilton also wrote the play Gaslight, filmed twice - both versions are superb, but you'll likely lean towards the one with Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Joseph Cotten, directed by George Cukor... :)

15: 40: if you notice, not only is the metronome adding to the tension, but in one of the buildings in the background, one of the windows has a light start flashing on and off, over and over again, in the same general area of the metronome and the piano. The production design, just for the city skyline and how it changes from day to night. Great lighting. Great everything!

The dialogue and the tension is amazing. Such an underrated film

I hope at the end of Hitchcock month you'll be watching Mel Brooks' tribute to him "High Anxiety". Less slapstick than normal. "Rope" reminds me a LOT of an episode of "Columbo". Love that show.

You'd mentioned getting into vintage TV episodes, and James Stewart's subtle mind game to crack the two murderers we already saw do it plays exactly what Lt. Columbo would do. (Although maybe without the dramatic monologue at the end.)

I'm always surprised by how deeply this movie hits me at the end. The whole way through I'm thinking "This whole 'philosophy' is bogus, and Rupert ought to know better than to joke about it so insistently, of course this is all going to unravel -- there's no suspense." But then Rupert becomes enraged, and suddenly the story doesn't feel so peculiar anymore, suddenly I'm thinking of all kinds of ways that people take each other's lives as if entitled to, and I find Rupert's rage cathartic. Maybe that's the mark of a good movie -- you start out thinking it's just about Leopold and Loeb, but it touches on so much more.

The Leopold & Loeb case had a lot of arrogance, trying to show intelligence. No dinner party obviously. I really enjoy Rope and the way the tension builds throughout and the layered meanings of some of the conversations.

If you've never seen Hitchcock's "The Trouble with Harry", that's a great murder mystery comedy.

His cameo is during the opening credits.

I think this film was as much a reaction to Nazi philosophy in WWII as it was about the Leopold & Loeb case. People in the U.S. were horrified by news reels of concentration camps. The idea that one kind of man can be superior to another, to the point of being able to kill without repercussions, was seen in a new and very ugly light. Injustices and social order in this country U.S. citizens had long overlooked or taken for granted were re-examined. There were many such social statement films made at this time, and I believe they helped lead to the Civil Rights push of the 1960's.

Hitchcock also walked by along the street during the opening credits.

As soon as you’re done with your Hitchcock marathon, will you react to Forbidden Planet (1956), one of the best sci-fi films of the 1950s?

"He's describing The Purge" Brilliant!

Back then they had ten minute max filming the cameras. In order to avoid any cuts in the film after the opening credit, he had to plan where and how they could change out the film rolls in a way no one would notice, immobile objects, a person's back, etc.

I love how this film is so well edited that it feels like one continuous shot

I love that microphone and I'm so looking forward to watch vertigo north by northwest and psycho

It was interesting that this whole movie was shot on one set. I don't recall any outside shots, but when you do "Dial M For Murder" you'll see that a good 95%+ was shot on one set, the flat or apartment of the main characters. I believe it was a popular NY play done that way. Based on how you liked Rope, you're gonna love Dial M as well. And Hitch is easy to spot it in "M". I had to look up where he hid his cameo in Rope too years ago! LOL! Great reaction and information you gave. We learn a lot from you! And one more thing, I like the fact that you pause the movies to comment so you don't miss any of it. Cool! ✌️😎

Mia, I am so glad to see that you posted today. This may seem like a strange reason, but I just learned this morning of the sudden and unexpected death of a dear friend, and I felt the need for a bit of continuity in my life, which your reviews and the community that has sprung up around them gives me. My friend was someone who gave generously of his time and himself to bring daily dramatic improv workshops to people around the world for no other reason than his love of the art and his love for humanity. Like you, he managed to connect people from all walks of life and give us a sense of stability during what could otherwise have been an unbearably lonely time for many of us. We don't always take the opportunity to thank the people who have had a positive impact on our lives, and I'm glad I was able to do just that with my friend in recent weeks as I saw the benefit of everything that he had worked so tirelessly to impart to us finally taking effect not only in my improv performances but in my creative writing work as well, and even in the way I think about life. And now, I would like to thank you. Thank you so much for all the work you put into these reviews and for sharing them with us and for your interactions in the comments section. It's much more than movie reviews. It's connection. And now, a few thoughts on the movie. This idea of murder being "reserved for those who are superior..." Well, the arrogance of that sentiment doesn't have to be reiterated, but the first thought that occurred to me was that, if a person were truly "superior," at least in the way that I view superiority (although tbh, I wouldn't generally use that particular word), then they would have absolutely no desire or impulse to kill anyone or cause harm or suffering to any living creature. In this sense, these two young men proved just how "inferior" they actually were. Of course, there is the thought in some spiritual circles that a highly evolved individual can transcend the laws of man, but that is only because this person's own values would be completely aligned with the laws of "God" or however you want to think of the creative force of the universe or a Divine Will, and so this type of behavior would be off the table completely. The best examples I can think of would be those people who hid Jews from the Nazis or who helped slaves escape captivity via the underground railroad. Technically, those acts were against the law, but to abide by those laws would have perpetuated and enabled the death and suffering of so many. Of course, people can do all sorts of horrible things by convincing themselves that they are being called to such actions by a Divine Will that exists only in their heads and their egos, so this can be a very slippery slope. Finally, I had to chuckle at Hitchcock's sense of humor in making such a big deal with the one boy's strong reaction to allusions that he had strangled a chicken... a play on words for choking the chicken? Hopefully, no explanation is needed :D

There are no cuts in this film! Incredible film. One of my fav Hitchcock movies! And Brandon invited Rupert because without him, there's no challenge...or at least, that's how he thinks of it. At least, that has always been my take. He enjoys the risk. The challenge.

I love your reactions. Best on KZfaq PERIODT. You’re so fun & you brighten my day!

Just finished watching this film. The 3rd act put such a knot in my stomach! Suspenseful as heck!!

Great reaction. Can I just say that I wince whenever people fire into the air just for attention. The bullets come back down at nearly the same speed they were fired. They can still kill.

I've always read this was not one of Jimmy Stewart's favorites (he felt miss-casted) but I so love it and find so many intricacies over other Hitchcock films that it is truly a masterpiece in my mind. And Stewart's performance is brilliant.

One of the fun things about this movie is spotting the hidden edits. A roll of film only lasted about ten minutes, so that necessitated an edit every ten minutes.

Ah,Mia ,your taste in movies is getting better and better.The casting was superb,particularly the character of John Dall. Another Hitchcock film you should consider is "I Confess" with Montgomery Clift/Anne Baxter.

This was great. John Dahl is good in Gun Crazy, if you plunge into film noir. Farley Granger has one other Hitchcock credit, the superb Strangers on a Train. Jimmy Stewart, of course, begins a long collaboration with the Master here, and it just gets better...

This film was made only three years after World War II had ended, and the revelations of the concentration camps were fresh in people's minds, which were widely attributed to the Nietzschean philosophy of the "Superman" which Brandon and Philip espouse in the film. (I do have to admit to a secret private desire that the part of Rupert had been played by Cary Grant rather than Jimmy Stewart, as fine an actor as Stewart was.)

I've never seen this before, though I've known about it since a film appreciation course I took in high school. I agree that this is one of Hitchcock's most effective films, especially the scene with the maid clearing away after dinner. I'm very glad it ended the way it did; anything more would have ruined the effect. As you say, Jimmy Stewart was perfect as Rupert. In a way, this is very reminiscent of the 1954 British film 'An Inspector Calls', featuring Alistair Sim (one of my all-time favorite actors) as Inspector Poole (Goole in the original stage play). I think that would another good one for your consideration.

Mia, Mia, Mia, I'm so gad you watched one of my favorite films. I'm very picky about Hitchcock (I only have about 2-3 I really like) but this is a masterpiece of film-making IMO. Here's an observation I made to Heath Holland on Facebook: "This is the film where it was composed of 5 long "takes." It was originally a stage play and a lot of folks say it's too limited and "stage-bound." As a stage actor I can understand their POV, but it's more than that. It may take place on one set but as I watch I see Hitch exploring the location in a way you'll never see it if it was just a filmed play. He uses the camera to go in and out of the room, sometimes focusing on two or three groups, going in and out of the foyer and in general keeping the audience fully engaged with the story and characters. In fact, my thought is that if this technique was used in the early days of sound you wouldn't have movies that were basically filmed plays with locked-down cameras pointed at a proscenium stage. It's a great way to "open up" a play without having to use multiple locations (plus it would be a fascinating journey for the audience)."

This is one of my faves or all time! Watching you watch this for the first time is priceless! When you see the rope around the books, when you see them almost open the chest. So glad you enjoyed. And, you are correct, Hitchcock is legendary with cinematography. My all time fave is Rear Window, shot entirely with two cameras only. For more on this spine-tingler, consider reading play, w/character backgrounds.

My favourite Hitch film. Its so creative an innovative. I think this was the first ‘one shot’ movie ever too. Hitch probably would have done it that way if film magazines ran longer. Love the way the lights of the city slowly come on as day turns to night.

As some people recommended in the comments, John Dall is amazing in Gun Crazy, it's a seriously great movie. As for Farley Granger, aside from the other one he did with Hitchcock, Strangers on a Train, there's also They Live by Night.

Yay! Vertigo! Possibly my favorite movie ever.

Hitchcock used Technicolor because it was the only color process at the time. Eastman color came out after this movie was made. Technicolor was a process separating Red/Blue/Green, the color balance could be altered as the final theatrical print was made. You could fine tune the color balance to affect the emotional mood of the audience. I think the last film using the Technicolor process was the Chinese movie Raise The Red Lantern. The director used the ability to change the color balance to maximum affect giving the film a striking visual and emotional quality.

Have you seen "Arsenic and old lace"? Very funny flick about a very interesting family. A forgotten classic is the 1968 "The lion in winter". It historically covers the interaction of power within a family and the effect of poor parenting on the children. Henry II, Peter O'Toole and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, Katherine Hepburn keep the story moving quickly with plots and counterplots. It's got a great score and filming. It's contemporary with the making of "The man of LaMancha".

Interesting fact: Since the filming was done in real time, they had to rig up the clouds in the background set so they would move over time.

I’m currently acting in a production of Patrick Hamilton’s original version of this play. As Sir Johnstone. As we actors always do, I’m assuming that my character is the emotional crux of the play. But he’s meant to be, in a way. The poor unfortunate whose life will be utterly shattered by what the main characters have done. I’ve done more character work for this role than I’ve ever done before.

Rope is on my TOP 10 favorite classic movies. I wish it would be a play. Would love to see it revamped on stage.

I love movies told through one extended scene. And this a excellent analysis of this type of movie. Well done.

You're style is improving. I'm glad to see that you've decided to show more of the film instead of cutting away for observations.

Another great reaction to one of my favourite Hitchcock films 😊

It's called a "metronome." And it doesn't get faster by itself. Rupert adjusts it to make it go faster. Great analysis! I love how so many people on KZfaq are reacting to this film. It's somehow gained a reputation over the years as one of Hitchcock's worst films, but it seems the younger generations are reassessing it and discovering it's actually one of his best. I think it's the most suspenseful film ever made, with the constant tension of the body always being there waiting to be discovered.

The presence of the corpse in the chest from the beginning was brilliant. It kept the audience on the edge the whole time as to if or when it would be discovered, and if it was in what way, by whom. A very claustrophobic film in which we the audience are trapped in the apt., the scene of the crime, with the people who did it and then the guests. Though the professor becomes the hero I would say he has atonement to make for discussing and influencing these young men who idolized him. He may have been theorizing but he should have thought about what he was discussing and realized that young people might be overzealous in trying to impress someone like him by actually doing what he only talked about. You should most definitely do Strangers On a Train which also stars Farley Granger. It's my favorite Hitchcock film by far. Another merciless portrait of a murderous scheme!

I really like how there is an actual cut (rather than a fade cut for on someone's back or something) to Rupert when Phillip is freaking out about the chicken strangling because it really gives Rupert a certain power from then on, he's the only character that can break up the camera's circular motion, and I actually spend a lot of time watching the background change from late afternoon to night.

11:54 I still can't tell whether or not Rupert was serious with it - if he really meant that he approved of murder or if he alternatively loved the sound of his own voice or just wanted to provoke people into thinking of mortality, morality and the idea of superior beings.

One of my all time favorite films from him! So good and so fucking fun to watch!

Another upvote for YOU for reacting these great films. Before you see these films, I'd suggest reading up on a few of the supporting actors. NOT the main ones - just the supporting cast. Barbara Bel Geddes in VERTIGO, with Tom Helmore and litter-worthy Henry Jones who fills up SO MANY SCREENS for a couple of decades. He truly is one of the great "litter pieces" that casting directors used constantly and he was always delightful.

I'm re-watching "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1945). It's overlong at 110 min. but it has 1 unique aspect: although it's in black and white it has a handful of technicolor inserts when it shows the painting. I don't know any other film like that.

I love this one a lot. Another fantastic reaction by you. One Hitchcock movie i love is Marnie, i think you'd have a lot of great commentary if one day you react to that one. It's not considered Hitch's best but i honestly think it's great.

If you like Rope, you should check out the film Compulsion 1959.

Another layer to the single shot approach is that it is based on the earlier stage production. The film is also heavy on full body shots which also draws you into the scene. Stay safe and Carry On!!

My theory on why he is leading Rupert on is because he sees himself as the übermench that can not be found out by this mere human.

Love this channel so much, it's very refreshing to see reactions like this. For what it's worth I wouldn't have shown the murder. I know the two men talk about having done it throughout the opening to film, but I would have liked to have had it scripted so there was some doubt about whether they'd done it or if they were just talking hypothetically to each other about it. John Dall is in another great film you might like to see some day, Gun Crazy which co-stars Peggy Cummins.

Thanks

Did it all in a single take ... or at least for as long as there was film in the magazine for the take. Obviously, there were parts of black that marked where the cut was made in editing. Other than that, everything that would normally be done in editing had to be done practically during photography. For one take, not only did the lines have to be recited accurately and with appropriate and convincing emotion ... the rhythm, pacing, and beats as acted on the scene also had to be right. As close to acting a live play on the stage as cinema could get.

Love, Love, Love Hitchcock!! This is such a great choice. Makes me so anxious!!

This reaction was a real privilege to watch, this is one of the films I most want to not fade away into obscurity it’s so deeply riveting to me. Someone can be excused for missing the subtext in Rebecca that Mrs. Danvers is in love with her but in Rope it’s so apparent Brandon and Philip have *something* going on that you’d have to be a blissfully unaware 1948 viewer not to catch on. Brandon’s callous dominance and Philip’s fragility and willingness to please aren’t just applicable to the context of them being murderers, that’s for sure. Harkening back to what I said about Rebecca I can fully understand someone faulting the film for this in the construable suggestion that two men in a relationship are predatory but, and maybe it’s just my naivety, I don’t think the film is taking it upon itself to make such sweeping statements, I wonder how intentional coding Brandon and Philip even was. But even if not it’s still there and it’s fascinating to observe what 40s audiences would’ve not perceived but we can observe as easily as any other characteristic herein. That said, Rope is one of my very favorites from Hitchcock if it wasn’t clear, I must rewatch it annually almost it draws me so unfailingly and persistently. There are double meanings and metaphors and hints littered throughout this ostensible funeral procession masquerading as a breezy dinner party. Philip declaring he can’t play with light in his eyes is a transparent callback to the murder, because there too, he couldn’t “work” with the sun in his face, heightening the gravity of his criminal act. You catching onto the “famous hands” throwaway comment is another example. Furthermore, the filming, far from being gimmicky as some peg it, is in fact pioneering and daringly experimental. The whole feel of Rope is that of a play unfolding in one continuous act before your eyes and it’s such a rarity I can’t stand it, it contributes greatly to Rope feeling totally unique. Some say Stewart is miscast but I think the perpetual air Rupert carries of not fitting in and being an enigma to those around him due to outlandish theories you can’t tell are serious or practical jokes is conveyed beautifully by Stewart, I can’t imagine anybody else playing him. Particularly during that monologue where he wipes his hands of Brandon and Brandon is only left to wallow in astonishment as his hero spells out his disgust of their activities. This is before you get to Granger and Dall who turn in performances for the ages. I think the film serves as an epic takedown of the disgusting tendency of common murderers to intellectualize their crimes as grandiose acts of self-actualizing themselves and proof positive of their competency and follow through of ideals the “lesser” merely pontificate about. The fact that they bring up Nietzsche and Hitler in conversation and the theory of the “Superman” so close the end of WWII really opens up a fresh wound in the audience surrogate of David’s father. Thus I think Rupert openly condemning and passing judgment on Brandon and Philip’s actions, indirectly, is the film’s answer to anyone who thinks Hitler had “good ideas, poor execution” and anyone who willfully and egregiously misinterprets Nietzsche, and the separation that exists between simple theory and application. I love this and everything about the film really and I reject it’s categorization as a misfire. It’s a masterpiece and one of Hitchcock’s most misunderstood at that.

James Stewart and Hitchcock great combo , lots of great info as always ,thanks Mia.

The one in the blue suit is John Dall (Brandon). There were no edits per say. Moving scene to scene the camera zooms into someone's back, etc, pretty much a one take movie. The cinematography was great. I have this on DVD and watch it several times a year. IMDB has Rope at 8.0 rating. Vertigo, which was a box office flop has become Hitchcock's masterpiece and is one of Martin Scorcese's personal favorites. It is 8.3 on IMDB.

I was surprised that you didn't mention the comedy of "something, something, something", which could only be delivered by Jimmy Stewart.

Ever seen the photo of James Stewart throwing up the peace sign ✌🏼 ? I have and I’m in love again. James Stewart is such an amazing actor

Thanks for the lesson. I had no idea about the real life case that inspired it. Thanks to you I'm a smidgen wiser!

Hi I just viewed your reaction to ROPE one of my favourite Hitchcock films & loved your passion,enthusiasm & your analysis. Thankyou. Also for how you introduced Alfred Hitchcock in to movie with the silhouette. Well observed I resigned to the fact that he was not in this film in a cameo like most of his other films.

Rupert does make one tiny little mistake firing the three shots out the window, perpetuating the false assumption that they can do no harm. They will quickly fall and with enough velocity to theoretically injure or kill three people below. Oops.

I just stumbled onto your channel, and I can really appreciate your analytical and detailed commentary on each film before you hit play I watch other channels with basically the same idea of reacting to movies, but you're very well prepared compared to others! Let me recommend 2 films 1 is the original Invasion Of The Body Snatchers released in the 1950's and 2 is Wind Chill with Emily Blunt which came out I believe in 2007 I'd like to get your take on these flicks I realize you more than likely give priority to your main supporters like Patreons, but it'd be nice if you considered the suggestions of the rest of your viewers Goodbye for now!

Hey Mia, when looking for the Rebecca cameo I noticed Rope has two cameos! I was thinking of telling you where, but I'll let you look it up, or better... try to spot him as I know how fun it is when you do catch him! LOL! You'll very likely watch all these great movies many times in your life so I'm sure you'll spot him sooner or later. I'll give you a hint for Rope. As with the neon light profile you showed, he's outside the apartment, not inside anywhere. Have fun! ✌️😎

This is not a bad movie but it is not one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. The movie’s stage origins are apparent and the long takes emphasize the staginess. Hitchcock amused himself by devising obstacles to overcome in his films. For example, he shot Psycho as though he were constricted to the budget of a tv shoe. He shot Lifeboat with a set consisting of a lifeboat. He had tried the extremely long takes before in Under Capricorn. After Rope he abandoned the experiment. He was a master filmmaker and knew how important editing and the juxtaposition of shots are to cinematic storytelling.

One of the best, and most underated, Hitchcock movies.

“You see yourself that it was not right. But I’ve spoken truly, it’s the truth. I killed them.” “As though that could be the truth! Good God!” “I’ve only killed a louse, Sonia, an insect. A useless, loathsome, harmful creature. She was hated, what is it to kill one who is hated by all?” “A human being-a louse?!” If you liked the dynamic between Philip and Brandon you should absolutely read Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I'm reading the unabridged version myself (40 pages left!) but read the abridged version if you don't feel you have enough time. It deals with the same subject as this movie, as the main character posesses both the traits of Brandon and Philip. Pther notable themes include: the inevitable guilt murder does cause in any murderer of sane enough mind, the inexorable march of justice (especially cosmic, as a killer driven mad with guilt can be argued to be "justice"), and the glaring flaws in Nietzsche, nihilism, utilitarianism, communism, and any other ideologies that discount the inherent value of human life. And you mention feeling bad for Philip. You'll get that feeling a lot in Crime and Punishment. Feeling bad for someone who doesn't deserve it (because he did something evil) but feeling bad FOR THE EXACT REASON YOU FIND HIS ACTION EVIL (the value of life and the humanity of people).

Have you seen Charade with Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn? It's a great mystery!

This was a Hitchcock film that I never really cared for, but somehow your reaction made this a much more engaging movie.

Fun Fact: In the original script, there was more homosexual tension between the two murderers, but the Hayes Code scratched it all out!

No wonder I never could find the cameo in this one!

this movie was filmed in real time. the film canisters where 11 minutes long so when they pan into the men's back is when they changed canisters.

I thought it was all in a single shot too; during interviews it was revealed thar he used several hidden cuts.

I always loved ‘Rope’. Watch it every xmas.

I love your analysis and your choice of movies. So insightful!😍 love your material!

love Hitchcock. One not mentioned as much is Strangers on a Train. My fav fav is Rear Window. First time I saw Sean Connery was in Marne. Jimmy Stewart my favorite actor. For a complete opposite try a screwball comedy, the best one with Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck it's called the Lady Eve.

I've been enjoying your content, Mia! FYI, when it comes to "Rope," the gay subtext (which Hitchcock referred to as "it") is discussed in the Special Features section of the DVD. Oh yes, the suspense throughout the movie comes from the question: when will Brandon and Phillip will be found out?

Great reaction, I love the old classics ! I you are a fan of Jimmy Stewart then here a few ( a bunch ) for you...... Rear Window ( 1954 ) You Can't Take It With You ( 1938 ) The Flight Of The Phoenix (1965 ). The next are a couple of his lesser known movies & two of my favorites 😎 No Highway In The Sky ( 1951 ) Thunder Bay ( 1953 ) Movie is about the first offshore oil platform/rig ......and a western Bend Of The River ( 1952 ) Loaded with Hollywood stars ! Best of luck with the channel , I will be watching !

Many people wonder why Hitchcock decided that his first Technicolor independent production would be made in continuous ten minutes takes. Well, aside from the technical challenge the director liked, I suspect it was to prevent the re-editing or altering of his movies after he shot them which was the case of his features he make for Selznick. No distributor could possibly re-edit "Rope".

I love your channel soooo much. Everything you talk about film. So good.

Well done.

Outtakes at the end, ❤❤❤ Okay, I haven't been able to watch any of your videos for a while because I haven't seen the movies you're watching! But ROPE OMG, such a great movie. I honestly think that Brandon was dropping hints at the end because he wanted Rupert to know, because part of Brandon's fantasy of killing someone was that afterward, Rupert would give his approval and praise. Brandon wants to impress him so badly! He didn't because he knows it's risky to tell anyone but also, what if it doesn't play out like he wanted and Rupert doesn't approve? That would ruin _everything_. I think the end of this is interesting because there are a few times after they know that Rupert knows where he turns his back on them. If they didn't respect him so much, there might have been two bodies in the chest but they just take it as defeat, like, well, if Rupert is going to turn us in, I guess that's what's going to happen.

Thanks!

Some other great Jimmy Stewart movies are Winchester '73; No Highway in the Sky; The Naked Spur; & Night Passage;

Hitchcock believed that when you film a play, that you must not open it up space wise. You buy the rights to a play for the Story Construction, and since plays are designed for the stage that is the scale at which you shoot. Hitchcock would film a play when his creative batteries were low. Try Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, a wonderful play that Hitch actually filmed in 3D! There is a 3D bluray of this film, if you have the player and TV set that are compatible. I have only seen the 2D version, and it’s brilliant. Great performances by Ray Milland and John Williams.

Great commentary.

I love this movie, so twisted! Great commentary too,TY.

Hitchcock wanted to film it as a play. There are no cuts just long 10 minute takes for the length of each film reel in the camera. The sets, walls, tables ect. were pulled apart to let the camera through. It slowed down the production to have to re-set things for each take.

Farley Granger is SO PRETTY

I think Tarantino get a lot of inspiration from this one making The Hateful Eight.

¡One of my favourites! If the subject of the case interests you, there is another film: "Compulsion", starring Orson Welles, that develops more accurately the actual Leopold and Loeb's murder trial,

This wasn't a one take movie as I'm sure has been pointed out in one of the previous comments. However, thanks for reviewing this movie as it's my favourite Hitchcock. Films such as Vertigo and Rear Window are considered to be better but I just love this one. Then again Psycho is an 11 out of 10 so I might be wrong.

Nathan Leopold and actor John Dall both died in 1971...