Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
Movies like this put most current films to shame!
I first saw this version in junior high, and then watched the Baz Luhrman film right afterwards. Then, thanks to Netflix, I decided to take a trip down memory lane. I fell hopelessly in love with this film! Shakespeare has always captured us with his complex dialogue, memorable characters that have stood flawless before time. The costumes, setting, dialogue, the actors...everything in this film puts most of the current so-called romance films to shame!Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting (oh dear lord, have mercy!) really bring these characters to life in their scenes together. The chemistry they have when they first meet to the tragic climax is unmatched by most films today. Leonard Whiting is the best Romeo I've seen, while DiCaprio is a close second. Both were the appropriate age to capture the innocence, vulnerability and passion in the characters Shakespeare had designed. Ms. Pat Heywood still steals her scenes as the nurse (the one in the DiCaprio version is awful in my opinion...), just hilarious! The swordfight between Mercutio and Tybalt, as well as Romeo vs. Tybalt are really engaging. Men knew how to really make fight scenes come alive back in the day. I still wish they didn't have to die in the end, but that's what attracts us to this story. Two people fall in love, but with love can come tragedy...Forever one of my favorite films!