Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
This Pinnacle Film Captures the Pure Essence of the Play
There have been many screen adaptations of Romeo and Juliet over the years. Some of them played by some of Hollywood's top actors and actresses. There was even the Romeo and Juliet last done by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, which to my mind is simply Romeo and Juliet on steroids.None of them have come close to matching the magic of Franco Zeffirelli's screen adaptation. For the first time, he made sure to cast the two roles as close to the true ages of Romeo and Juliet as possible. During the time of filming, Olivia Hussey was 15, and Leonard Whiting was 16. He also made sure to keep the Shakespearean language intact. I mean, is it even possible to change Shakespeare's words into something better? It may be a challenge at first to understand the language, especially if you are not used to hearing it. I recommend that you watch it with the subtitles on, or if you want, get a copy of the play and follow it that way. It might makes things a little easier.It's one thing to memorize Shakespearean lines in a play, but something else entirely to actually act them out. Consider this as you watch these two young actors not only succeed in both areas, but surpass all expectations. After watching this film, you might have a hard time thinking of anyone else to fill these roles.Most everyone probably knows the storyline of two star-crossed lovers who who share a forbidden love due to the on-going feuds of their two families who solve their problems with swords and brawls in the streets of Verona. How then is it possible for Romeo and Juliet to conceive of being together, let alone married? How is the love of their respective children able to heal the rift of these two families?Perhaps, argueably, no other writer throughout history understood the power of unconditional love and is able to somehow give the reader at least an idea of what love is through words. Juliet's infamous line captures the essence of Shakespeare's understanding of love when she says, "my bounty is as boundless as the sea. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite." Shakespeare knew that true, unconditional love must be let go, or given, because the more you give, the more you actually have, for you cannot give what you do not have.Aside from the abilities of Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, I also have to recognize the talents of John McHenry as the loveable and poetic Mercutio. He is brilliant, and his fight in the streets with Tybalt is both humorous and tragic, especially when he's trying to convince everyone that he's been mortally wounded, but no one takes him seriously until his final fall from the steps of the building.Franco Zeffirelli is renowned for his film sets, and finding the perfect locations to shoot. Verona looks perfect, as if Zeffirelli pulled it straight from the mind of Shakespeare himself.Film critic Roger Ebert was actually in Italy and walking by during the shooting of the balcony scene. This has to be my favorite scene in the entire movie as Romeo and Juliet profess their unswerving love and feelings for each other.Granted that due to time, there are some scenes that are not in the film, but Zeffirelli takes what is crucial to keep the film and story moving. For example, Paris is more or less in the background, and the fight between he and Romeo is not in this adaptation. Nor is the scene where Romeo visits the Apothecary to get the vial of poison for himself.As with just about every successful film, you must have the music to capture the feelings and emotions for the audience, and Nino Rota's score is one of the most famous and recognized in film history, as he uses his music to truly capture both the love and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The film soundtrack on CD is nice because it contains the dialogue of the film to go with the music.This is truly a film classic. Some viewers may think that this version isn't as "cool" as the updated version, what with our actors running around in Renaissance Era tights, but then, tell me which other film version captures so eloquently what might arguably be Shakespeare's most famous tragedy? Romeo and Juliet has been adapted for film more than any other Shakespearean play. Perhaps this, alone, says why we are so drawn by this story, for as the narrator so perfectly expresses at the end, "has there ever been a story of more woe, then this of Juliet and her Romeo."