MovieChat Forums > Rope (1948) Discussion > When did Rupert begin to suspect?

When did Rupert begin to suspect?

posted 10 years ago by Derek020
10 replies | jump to latest

At what point in the movie does Rupert begin to suspect that David was murdered?

[–] WyldeGoose 10 years ago

I'd say he suspected after the phone call from David's mother.

He knew something was wrong. He knew that they were both acting funny. The passionate discussion about the intellectually superior having the right to murder people, and the interrogation of Phillip, and the use of the rope to tie the books. Then, his suspicions were heightened when he found David's hat in the closet.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 10 years ago

Even the fact that they had the food set out on that trunk...that, combined with David being late and the points you mentioned, would have made him suspicious.

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💕 JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen 👍

[–] WyldeGoose 9 years ago

Yes. I'd say that was a clue. Where it began to make him realize they did something to David. well, let's leave that to giving him the benefit of doubt. I personally think it was the phone call. That, specifically, clued him in to the fact something did happen to David.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 9 years ago

I reread the post which I wrote on this thread on June 2nd, and I think that this is still my opinion. A lot of things which happened throughout the film would have made Rupert suspicious (including seeing David's hat), but that doesn't necessarily mean that he concluded that murder had taken place. Kidnapping, yes. Murder....he might not have considered this possibility until later in the movie.

Despite all the clues, I think that Rupert would have found it hard to believe that these fellows could be capable of murder. Oh sure, they talked a lot about who has the right to murder, but ultimately, Rupert still saw those fellows as the boys he was in charge of when they were kids/teens at school. On the other hand, Rupert probably had some suspicions of what Brandon was capable of. Brandon was probably an evil child as well.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen 🎇

[–] hockeyhrs 9 years ago

I know Rupert found David's hat in the closet, but I don't think he noticed that it was David's. i.e., Rupert did not SEE the "DK" initials (only the audience/camera sees this), as the housekeeper noticed he had the wrong hat and took it away from him before he could look in and see the initials.

This is one of those "oh he came so close" plot developments to keep the audience in suspense.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 10 years ago

After giving it some more thought, I'm wondering how long he suspected that David was kidnapped, and when exactly he began to think that something much worse had happened? He seemed quite convinced throughout the movie that Brandon had come up with some cruel joke in order to get Janet back with that other fellow. I know he thought that David might have been kidnapped (put into a closet or something), but when did his thoughts turn to murder? Thinking about it some more, it's a bit unclear. There was the talk of the strangled chicken, the theories about who gets to live and who gets to die, the trunk...but did Rupert believe that the young men could really commit such a crime?

I think it's meant to be a bit open-ended.

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💕 JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen 👍

[–] tarheelpup 9 years ago

Throughout the film Rupert is...odd. He is very much the intellectual and a student of other people and their reactions. He has a very dark sense of humor and is quite the smartass from the moment he makes his entrance. So a lot of what can be read as being suspicious is actually just the character's sense of humor. He know something interesting and odd is going on from several things Brandon says but the first inkling that something is SERIOUSLY off the rails is the "chicken strangling story" and Phillip's reaction to it. Brandon is obviously dominant in the relationship with Phillip so Phillip's aggressive outburst is totally out of character to his normal behavior. And during the subsequent discussion of who should be allowed to commit murder Brandon goes totally out of line with what is simply playful (albeit dark) parlor talk. The look on Rupert's face during these incidents is when it becomes obvious that Rupert obviously knows SOMETHING is terribly wrong.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 9 years ago

And during the subsequent discussion of who should be allowed to commit murder Brandon goes totally out of line with what is simply playful (albeit dark) parlor talk.

Exactly. Rupert made a few remarks (meant to be dark humor and nothing more), but Brandon went WAY overboard. If Brandon had really wanted to cover up his crime, he would have dropped the subject much sooner. But, as Philip pointed out later, Brandon wanted someone else to know. He wanted Rupert to know.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen 🎇

[–] tarheelpup 9 years ago

Brandon was FULLY CERTAIN that Rupert was the one man on Earth who would appreciate his "art". Rupert is also someone that Brandon, Phillip, David and Kenneth ALL looked up to and respected. It is telling that every one of the peer group (including Janet) know that Brandon is capable of some less than savory acts and every one of the peer group characters say as much at some point in the film.

I watched "Rope" many times over the years but hadn't seen it in probably 10 years until today and two things bothered me. No answers to either of these.

One, why would Rupert fire the gun outside when he could have easily picked up the phone which is right around the corner and called the police? Firing the gun outdoors IN NEW YORK CITY is DANGEROUS!

Two, I would love to know what the conversation between Mr. Kentley and Rupert was like outside the apartment building. How would Rupert have even broached the conversation with Mr. Kentley to get the rope off the books? THAT would be awkward!

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 9 years ago

Correct. Rupert should have called the police, but I think that the shooting of the gun was done for more effect. I think he also wanted immediate attention.

It wouldn't have been hard for Rupert to get the rope from Mr. Kentley. The books were poorly tied up (as a couple of the characters pointed out). The books were probably slipping out of the rope, and Rupert might have offered to just return the rope to the hosts. Mr. Kentley would have had no reason to find this unusual. Rupert could have even said that he left his cigarette case behind and that he'd have to go back.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen 🎇