The ending of Alfred Hitchcock's Rope culminates in the deliberate exposure of the murder by Rupert Cadell, leading to the imminent arrival of law enforcement and a somber, understated conclusion for the two young killers.
The film reaches its intense climax when Rupert Cadell, a former housemaster of the murderers, Brandon Shaw and Phillip Morgan, fully comprehends the heinous nature of their crime. Having initially engaged in intellectual discussions that unwittingly fueled their twisted sense of superiority, Rupert becomes increasingly disturbed by their cold-blooded act—the murder of their friend, David Kentley. His growing moral outrage compels him to take definitive action.
The Climax and Revelation
Driven by a profound sense of disillusionment and a need to right the wrong, Rupert sets in motion the events that will bring justice. The final moments unfold dramatically within the confined apartment:
- Rupert's Decisive Act: In a desperate yet deliberate move, Rupert walks to the apartment window and fires several shots into the night. This dramatic act serves as an unmistakable signal, specifically intended to attract immediate attention and draw the police toward the building.
- The Approaching Sirens: Almost immediately after the shots echo through the night, the distinct and growing sound of a police siren begins to penetrate the silence. This auditory cue confirms that Rupert's desperate measure has been successful, indicating that law enforcement is now rapidly approaching the scene. The arrival of the police is imminent, signaling the definitive end of the murderers' grim experiment.
The Killers' Final Moments
As the inescapable consequences of their actions close in, the atmosphere in the apartment shifts from one of arrogant intellectualism and tense anticipation to one of stark realization and impending doom. The killers' reactions reveal their differing coping mechanisms in the face of inevitable capture:
- Rupert's Deflation: Having taken the courageous step to expose the truth, Rupert sits down, visibly deflated. The weight of the situation settles upon him, reflecting his profound disappointment and the heavy burden of his complicity, however unwitting, in the intellectual discussions that may have inspired the crime.
- Phillip's Retreat: Phillip Morgan, who has been the more outwardly nervous and emotionally fragile of the two murderers throughout the evening, reacts to the sound of the sirens by retreating to the piano. He begins to play, a quiet, almost mournful, act that serves as a final, nervous release or perhaps a somber acknowledgment of their fate.
- Brandon's Last Stand: Brandon Shaw, the more dominant and seemingly unperturbed mastermind of the murder, maintains his composure to the very end. Despite the looming threat of arrest, he is seen taking one last drink, a final gesture that underscores his detached and seemingly unrepentant demeanor, even as his capture becomes imminent.
The Unconfronted Justice
A notable and poignant aspect of Rope's ending is the absence of a direct emotional confrontation from the victim's loved ones. Despite the impending resolution of the crime, there is no moment for David Kentley's family or friends to directly excoriate, condemn, or express their grief and anger to Brandon and Phillip. The justice that is about to be served arrives impersonally through the police, rather than through a direct emotional reckoning from those most deeply affected by David's murder. This leaves a lingering sense of an unfulfilled emotional resolution for the victim's circle, even as the criminals face their just punishment.
For more information on the film, you can visit its Wikipedia page.
