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How does Alfred Hitchcock explain creating suspense in a film using the example of the movie, Rope, starring James Stewart?

User Sapiens
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Final answer:

Alfred Hitchcock is known for his ability to create suspense, as exemplified in the film Rope. He provides the audience with more information than the characters have and uses long continuous shots to enhance the tension.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alfred Hitchcock, celebrated for his mastery in creating suspense, reveals his techniques predominantly through a manner that is particularly evident in the movie Rope. In Rope, Hitchcock creates suspense not only through the plot but also via the technical execution — employing long takes and a real-time narrative structure. One notable Hitchcock method for generating suspense is to grant the audience more information than the characters in the film have. For instance, the audience is aware of the true nature of the chest in the center of the room, while the characters are oblivious for most of the movie.

Moreover, Hitchcock's use of continuous shots in Rope simulates the experience of a play, increasing the sense of real-time urgency and claustrophobia. His strategic control of information, such as the insider knowledge that a murder has been committed, contrasts sharply with the blithe ignorance of the party guests, establishing a ticking time-bomb effect that is key to suspense.

User Gennady Kandaurov
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