Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
Excellent version of the classic
Franco Zeffirelli's version of "Romeo and Juliet" is a timeless classic for its staging, genuine costume scenery and dialogue. A burden for most directors is taking on the task of a classic using great detail without diluting the authenticity of the play. Zeffirelli is able to accomplish this by letting the words of Shakespeare affirm the impact of the film and not overriding too much of the tradition of the story.The exceptional directing exhibited within the film comes from creating a Shakespeare play and portraying it how it was meant to be seen. For instance, Romeo waiting in a moon-lit, shadowy, backdrop and seeing Juliet from afar as she begins her famous "balcony scene" soliloquy ("O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?") demonstrates the serious intent of keeping this genuinely Shakespeare. As the scene progresses, we understand the burden placed on the "star-crossed" lovers who have begun an untimely and ill-conceived love affair.Another positive is the superb job of casting actors. Leonard Whiting (Romeo) and Olivia Hussey (Juliet) not only have the appropriate look and age of the play's two main characters, but both personify the quality of "innocent young love." They seem to affirm the credibility of two ill-fated teens from opposing households who are caught between love for one another and the hatred between families. Other notables are Tybalt, as the hot-headed Capulet, Benvolio, as peacemaker, and Mercutio (who delivers a great Queen Mab speech), as the witty and funny friend of Romeo.The most paramount moments of the play are left in the film. These include: the brawl scene between the two households, the Capulet's masque (where Romeo and Juliet meet), the balcany scene, the duel between Romeo and Tybalt, the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's rebellion from her parents, and the final climactic scene.Because the story is told in accordance with the play, and uses realistic visual staging and costumes, it becomes a useful supplementary tool for educators and students (and anyone else interested in Shakespeare) who study this play. My personal experiences of using this in the classroom have been exceptional, especially using the film and book as a side-by-side comparisons of each other, and MOST of the students have enjoyed the film (some even more than the Leonardo DeCaprio version!).Although the version is rated PG by 1968 standards, it would be a PG13 rating today due to brief nudity and a few suggestively crude scenes.This movie, unlike many retelling of classics, doesn't try to advertise itself so much that it loses its potential. Rather, it lets the viewers create their own opinions and simply tells the story with sharp precision. With good reason, Zeffirelli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" is the criterion by which other versions of this play are compared.