Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments...
Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments.
I always try to return all ratings and if I promise an E and don't get back to you feel free to give me a poke.
Sue
Member since:30.05.2009
Reviews:410
Members who trust:91
"Two households both alike in dignity, In fair Verona where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife"
There have been many film adaptations of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". I have to say of all that I have seen I think that Zeffirelli's 1968 version is by far the best.
"Romeo and Juliet" was the third consecutive Shakespearean play for the Italian director, following a television production of "Much Ado about Nothing" and the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton film, "The Taming of the Shrew". Zeffirelli later directed "Othello" and "Hamlet", but his most successful adaptation was "Romeo and Juliet".
Before the 1968 film actors in the film had always been older, but Zefferell cast Leonard Whiting, just 17, as Romeo and Olivia Hussey, a mere14 as Juliet. This makes them more or less the actual ages of Shakespeare's characters. I thought that both Whiting and Hussey were superb actors (even at their young ages) and they play well off each other. These roles were debut ones for both young actors.
Having two
young, attractive actors playing the lead parts did attract a lot of younger audiences. I was a teenager at this time and can remember the excitement that this film created. In fact 'Romeo and Juliet' became one of the great big-screen romances of the late 1960s, also the hit song "A Time For Us" (based on Nino Rota's love theme from the film) became a big hit.
I can vividly remember some lively discussions with friends about the film. I was an English Literature student so I was keen to point out some missing parts from the film. I feel that Zefferelli tried to stay true to the original play in setting and costume but did take poetic license in cutting the play down to size for a feature film. The two scenes left out entirely that I noticed enough to comment on were the Apocethary scene and the fight with Paris. Those unfamiliar with the play won't miss them at all, but if you have studied the play you will notice them. First, the Apocethary scene explains just where Romeo got his poison and the fight with Paris explains the Prince's "brace of at your discord", these were both omitted from the film. Despite the missing parts of the play, Zefferelli uses the rest of the script so well and creates a story full of pathos.
The sets, the costumes, and the cinematography are bright and colourful, and not only the young lovers, but all the cast exuded youth. This cast of the film were largely unknowns (Michael York had not yet become a star) and were all very close in age to the characters that Shakespeare created. I have to admit on watching it again recently that the young actors did struggle a little with the language and had a tendency to overact - but it was still a wonderful performance. The youth of the young lovers to me added to their acting skills as they seemed able to deal with the emotions stirred up by young love so much that I believed in these characters in a way I've never been able to with other, older actors.
I also found the way that Zeffirelli managed to put humour into the tragedy was very clever. Too often Shakespeare is played far too serious and yet, like all of Shakespeare's plays 'Romeo and Juliet' does contain humour - often humour of less than good taste!! I would use the character of the Nurse here as an example. When studying the play, just reading it the Nurse is used to carry the plot, secretly helping the lovers. But as played by Pat Heywood in the film, the Nurse is a real scene stealer with her rather bawdy humour. Another way Zeffirelli uses comedy in a good way is during the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt. While most directors play this seriously Zeffirelli makes Mercutio (played by John McEnery) clown around with Tybalt (Michael York), as a way to defend himself against a superior swordsman. Instead of the usual exciting music that usually backs the 'serious' swordfights in this adaption the couple are surrounded by a laughing crowd so that when Tybalt stabs Mercutio in earnest, the slapstick suddenly turns serious.
Of course story of 'Romeo and Juliet' is well known; it is loaded with tragedy that could always have been so easily prevented. It takes place in renaissance Italy. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love, despite the fact that their families are bitter enemies. Their romance is threatened by the hostility but nothing will get in the way of their love for one another.
The set that was used for this film was amazing and the costumes were exquisite, especially in the famous Masquerade Ball scene. The costumes actually looked like they could be from that time era, which makes the film seem more real. The music that was played throughout the film perfectly added depth and atmosphere. The two most important scenes in the play, the balcony scene and the crypt scene were wonderful, with exquisite lighting. The balcony scene probably the most famous in the play) occurs after the party where our two lovers meet. Romeo has wandered inside the Capulets' walls and hears Juliet stating her love for him and her dismay at finding that he is a hated Montague. "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" He makes his presence known and they speak moving words of love to each other and plan to meet the next day, when they will be married The crypt scene is just as important a scene to in the play. Romeo finding Juliet to be what he thinks is dead and then awakens to find Romeo dead by his own hand in despair . It doesn't matter how many times I watch it I keep hoping for her to wake up just a moment sooner. The lighting in these shots cause the atmosphere to be perfect with just a faint glow from the torches casting a glimmer over the room.
In conclusion I have to say that this is a wonderful film. It has beautiful direction, gorgeous costumes and incredible sets. To me this is perhaps the greatest love story of all-time, and one of the sweetest, most romantic films ever made.
Don't be put off by the language, don't be put off that it is Shakepeare.
Do, do take a look at the DVD of this 40 year old film and fall in love with the tragic love story. The DVD is 132 deliciously, wonderful minutes long, it is available from Amazon for around 3 well spent pounds, it is in my humble opinion Shakespeare perfection!! Please, please try it!!
Summary: The Bard at his best
Pictures of Romeo And Juliet (DVD)
Romeo And Juliet (DVD)
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
I love Shakespeare, I have just finished a degree in English literature, and Romeo&Juliet is one of my favourite plays.... I still bloody hate this film though! I've rated 'very helpful' because you've actually convinced me to watch it again, because I've obviously missed something. I'll upgrade it to an E if I think you're right ;) xx
Hishyeness 07.08.2009 21:38
Nicely done. Even better on second reading LOL. 8^)
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: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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]")
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
