Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
Forsooth! 'Tis a fit feast for heart and soul. Spaketh more!
Other reviews having been gazed upon, wilt I wax sort of eloquent, methinks, upon gaping slack-jawed anew at yon flickering screen...I saw this film when it first appeared and I was a pre-teen, and it somewhat affected my childish boy's mind even then, but it slept in dim memory until I channel-surfed smack dab into it on AMC last month. Durn-burn it, what's a mid-40s full-grown family man doing gushing about a length of cheap plastic tape infused with rust particles? Simple. One is dead inside if this film does not one affect. Rather than echoing the many, many positive reviewer comments found here that I agree with, wilt I some other thoughts add.From the commentary in the above link, it should be noted that the puns, double meanings, and poetry of Shakespeare is truly a work of art -- you will double and otherwise completely enjoy this film once you The Bard himself hear spaketh through it. (Mind you, this appreciation comes from a full-blown mechanical engineer, an applied physics type, not some liberal arts major.) Some of this is captured in the film, such as Capulet welcoming his guests to his "poor" house, but you have to have done your background reading and understand the older language nuances before you can appreciate all of it. To those reviewers who found the language difficult to understand or even boring, this is probably the reason why. There is such power and irony in Shakespeare's words that, if you like this movie, it is worth buying a complete book with expert commentary so that you can anticipate and then fully appreciate what Zeffirelli, Whiting, Hussey, and so forth did. I doubt this combination can ever be beaten.The film plot is so exquisitely balanced and timed, reflecting Shakespeare so well, as to compel its audience into the headlong rush toward the highest of emotional highs followed immediately by the depths. All of Romeo and Juliet's moves and lines complement each other as demonstrated by Romeo separately saying "O dear account! My life is my foe's debt." and by Juliet also separately saying "My only love sprung from my only hate." at Capulet's party. If you read a commented book, you'll find that there are many, many hints of deep foreboding at strategic locations. Look for them to be brought to life in the film.But also, notice the timeless appeal of absolute commitment to each other. On the balcony with Romeo: O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Juliet: What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? Romeo: Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. Juliet: I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, And yet I would it were to give again. Romeo: Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love? Juliet: But to be frank and give it again. And yet I wish for the one thing I have. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.It seems to me that this is the essence of what makes the rest of the story so compelling. Wert this a one-nighter of mere lust, nobody would pay attention to such true boredom. Yet, they go through thick and thin to fulfill these, their vows. This makes the marriage scene, short as it is, one of the most beautiful in the film. Their vows before God are one of most powerful and satisfying outward affirmations of deep affection. Would that such fathoms of expressive emotion could come upon more people. Their vows and marriage are the reason that their physical celebration of it is so innocent, loving, and powerful, marking the true accuracy of this film in portraying Shakespeare's intent and Zeffirelli's homage to purity.Finally, I read a lot of commentary about the youthfulness, charm, and beauty of both Leonard Whiting as Romeo and Olivia Hussey as Juliet, which added greatly to the film's emotional power. You can also read that Shakespeare adapted this story from a tale originating in the year 1303. He actually shaved the ages of Romeo and Juliet just a bit. Thus, Zeffirelli made Whiting and Hussey more true to the original story! Shakespeare did this apparently to fit into the social context of the times in which the play was written. This is useful to know wherefore some of the plot develops as it does.In short, grab a box of tissues and see the film! And thank you very much cast and crew, even though it is 30+ years late. 'Tis an honor to thee thank.