Opened: September 25, 1948

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Joan Chandler, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Constance Collier, Douglas Dirk, Edith Evanson & Dick Hogan

Though James Stewart is miscast in his leading role, Rope is a crime thriller that will keep you on edge.

Brandon Shaw (John Dall) and Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger) murder their friend David Kently (Dick Hogan) shortly before a dinner party they’re hosting. They hide the body in a wooden chest but as the night goes on and their former headmaster Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) gets more suspicious, the men have to make hard decisions.

Dall and Granger play fantastic opposites with Dall being collected and calm throughout, while Granger gets more paranoid and nervous.

With long uncut takes lasting up to 10 minutes each, Hitchcock creates a lesson in acting and filmmaking. The actors must constantly be on their game and just one set being used makes the film feel like a play.

Final say: It couldn’t be tighter. ★★★★★