I agree totally with the first reviewer. I'm tired of people using the work "gimmick" when describing this film. I consider Rope to rank up there with Hitch's best, including Rear Window (which some people may also consider a "gimmicky" film). I think most people are missing the fact that this film simply couldn't have been filmed any other way... if this film was made in a "normal" way, it wouldn't be nearly as effective. Hitch simply just found the most effective way in building the suspense and mood of the film. Cuts and edits would ruin the suspense and tension that the plot demanded... by using continuous takes Hitch makes you feel like an observer of the party... and the frame purposely limits you to what you can see or hear. Edits would also disturb the feeling of real time in which the story took place in.
Besides, if experiments were never used in film, we would never progress the art.... Remember, it's not a "gimmick" if it works... and it certainly does work in Rope.
Besides, if experiments were never used in film, we would never progress the art.... Remember, it's not a "gimmick" if it works... and it certainly does work in Rope.