Throughout time, there have been countless productions of Romeo and Juliet, both on screen and stage in various guises. Most recently, Baz Luhrman offered his version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. But I think this version of the classic love story is the best.
STORYLINE In Verona, Italy, there are two warring families – the Capulets and Montagues. The film opens with the two houses having a spat which is stopped by the ruler of the town Prince Escalus. This really shows you the level of hatred between the two families. Romeo Montague gatecrashes a Capulet party with his friends Benvolio and Mercutio. He then sees Juliet and they instantly fall in love. As the party ends they realize they are enemies… Romeo visits her balcony after and declares his love. She echoes and they decide to wed. They are married by Friar Laurence, who wants to end the fighting between the families. Later that day Mercutio and Tyblat have a fight with ends up with the death of Merucutio. In revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt. As punishment, Prince Escalus banishes Romeo to Mantua. Before he leaves he visits Juliet and spends the night with her. When he has gone, the next day Juliet’s parents say that she is to marry Count Paris. Juliet refuses and her father give her an ultimatum – marry Paris or leave the family…. Desperate, Juliet meets with Friar Laurence and hatches a plan, which goes tragically wrong.
CAST Leonard Whiting - Romeo Olivia Hussey - Juliet John McEnery - Mercutio Milo O'Shea - Friar Lawrence Pat Heywood - Nurse Michael York - Tybalt Bruce Robinson - Benvolio Robert Stephens - Prince Escalus Paul Hardwick - Lord Capulet Natasha Perry - Lady Capulet Antonio Pierfederici - Lord Montague Esmeralda Ruspoli - Lady Montague
IS IT ANY GOOD? I loved every second of the film. This is how you feel that Shakespeare play was intended to be – it is set completely in Italy and the two main cast members (Whiting and Hussey) are close to age of the characters Romeo and Juliet. They are both very attractive so fulfil the roles perfectly. There is a beautiful scene in the Capulets party when a singer sings a wonderful song, which I think is called “What is a Youth”. The costumes are amazing and the fight scenes are very realistic and convincing. However, there are no special effects, but this is because it was made in the 1960s so perhaps the technology didn’t exist. I found it a bit violent at times. If you were not familiar with R&J it is sometimes hard to understand. Some bits are changed or left out – Zeffirelli has done this with many Shakespeare adaptations. I like this play so much because it is simple and wonderfully done. There is amazing attention to detail throughout the film. The acting is brilliant. I watch this whenever I am feeling sad and it always makes me feel better without getting old.
TRIVIA Franco Zeffirelli became concerned with Olivia Hussey's weight gain during filming, and ordered that no more pasta would be served on the set.
According to Franco Zeffirelli's autobiography, Paul McCartney was originally asked to play the part of Romeo. McCartney turned it down because he was afraid of acting in a classic.
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Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare'sRomeo and Julietwas unique in its day ... more
for casting kids in the play's pivotal roles of, well, kids. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting and 15-year-old Olivia Hussey play the titular pair, the Bard's st...
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Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare'sRomeo and Julietwas unique in its day ... more
for casting kids in the play's pivotal roles of, well, kids. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting and 15-year-old Olivia Hussey play the titular pair, the Bard's st...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Italian director Franco Zeffirelli stunned the world when he cast two young unknowns to ... more
portray the star crossed lovers in 'Romeo and Juliet' but it was a gamble that resulted in one of the most popular motion pictures of the time winning internation...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Enjoyable, The actors did such a brilliant job that you could watch it over and over. Disadvantages: The camera Techniques are quite old and the special effects are just ok.
PhoenixLovexoxo 28.06.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Romeo And Juliet (DVD)
Advantages: Enjoyable, The actors did such a brilliant job that you could watch it over and over. Disadvantages: The camera Techniques are quite old and the special effects are just ok.
PhoenixLovexoxo 28.06.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Romeo And Juliet (DVD)
![Romeo And Juliet [DVD] [1968]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78535607.jpg "Romeo And Juliet [DVD] [1968]")
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