MovieChat Forums > Rope (1948) Discussion > Who else though James Stewart was all wr...

Who else though James Stewart was all wrong for this film?

posted 15 years ago by watpho
33 replies | jump to latest

I thought James Stewart was terribly wrong in the role of Rupert. I would have LOVED to see George Sanders. He would have carried the intelligence, condescension, supercilliousness, coldness, charm, gayness, and palyful sadism that was supposed to be Rupert.
Heck, James didn't even know his character was supposed to be gay.

[–] armannja 10 years ago

George Sanders, James Mason, Cary Grant, or possibly Charles Laughton.

Stewart was a great actor but he doesn't work in this role.

[–] joeparkson 10 years ago

Rupert was supposed to be an intellectual. I didn't buy Stewart as an intellectual. There were so many actors at the time that would have nailed that part; Frederic March, George Sanders, James Mason, Claude Rains, Edward G. Robinson.

A young James Stewart? No way.

Soy 'un hijo de la playa'

[–] rc-108 9 years ago

I finally watched this...
and all during the movie, I felt Stewart was wrong for the role..

but the final speech.. I loved Stewart in the role.

[–] moosefeathers 9 years ago

I finally watched this...
and all during the movie, I felt Stewart was wrong for the role..

but the final speech.. I loved Stewart in the role.

There was something missing from the role that affected the interaction, not the actor playing it. Stewart would have been fine if the exact play was filmed. Rupert was supposed to have had an affair with one of them (I think it was Phillip) thus his being able to actually sense that something was going on between Phillpi and Brandon and also that something else wasn't right. Yes, he knew the other students, but not as intimately as Brandon and especially Phillip. With this affair aspect missing, Rupert should not have been able to read the situation correctly. It's just my opinion, but this is why i feel that Rupert character doesn't work.

Swing away, Merrill....Merrill, swing away...

[–] rc-108 9 years ago

thank you...

that part I was unaware of..
and yes.. I see what you are saying...
and I agree.

[–] channaart 9 years ago

While I don't think Stewart was awful, I agree that Sanders would have lifted it into another dimension.