Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
Probably The BEST Version Of The Bard's Timeless Tragedy!!
Franco Zefferelli (who made his directorial debut with "The Taming Of The Shrew" and would go on to direct "Jesus Of Nazareth", a mammoth six hour TV miniseries and "Hamlet" starring Mel Gibson, director, producer and co-screenwriter of "The Passion Of The Christ") does an excellent job directing "Romeo And Juliet." This version (and "West Side Story", which is the closest to modern as you should get to Shakespeare) is better than the sh---- modern one directed by Baz Luhrman and starring Leonardo DiCaprio ("TITANIC", a movie which could've been better, but that's another story) and Claire Danes ("Little Women," "Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines," etc.) Take my word for it, Leonard Whiting and the lovely Olivia Hussey are very believable as the doomed lovers in 15th century Verona, not only given their ages, which made them entirely suitable for the role, but also their acting in this movie. Michael York (who made his acting debut in Zefferell's "The Taming Of The Shrew") plays Tybalt, exuding pure malice, though John Leguizamo didn't do such a bad job, but THAT version was "Fart." 'Twas that bad. Sir Laurence Olivier, considered the greatest Shakespearean actor of his day (watch his 1948 Oscar-winning version of "Hamlet" and you'll know why I agree 100% with that), has an uncredited role as the offscreen Narrator. This version is well-done. Should've won Best Picture. My favorite part is when Juliet says, "It is, it is, high hence begone; away." Olivia Hussey has a great body in this film. Rated PG for brief nudity.