Romeo and Juliet

Plot synopsis:
The play, set in Verona, Italy, begins with a street brawl between Montague and Capulet servants who, like their masters, are sworn enemies. Prince Escalus of Verona intervenes and declares that further breach of the peace will be punishable by death. Later, Count Paris talks to Capulet about marrying his daughter Juliet, but Capulet asks Paris to wait another two years and invites him to attend a planned Capulet ball. Lady Capulet and Juliet's nurse try to persuade Juliet to accept Paris's courtship.
Meanwhile, Benvolio talks with his cousin Romeo, Montague's son, about Romeo's recent depression. Benvolio discovers that it stems from unrequited infatuation for a girl named Rosaline, one of Capulet's nieces. Persuaded by Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo attends the ball at the Capulet house in hopes of meeting Rosaline. However, Romeo instead meets and falls in love with Juliet. Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, is enraged at Romeo for sneaking into the ball but is only stopped from killing Romeo by Juliet's father, who does not wish to shed blood in his house. After the ball, in what is now called the "balcony scene", Romeo sneaks into the Capulet orchard and overhears Juliet at her window vowing her love to him in spite of her family's hatred of the Montagues. Romeo makes himself known to her and they agree to be married. With the help of Friar Laurence, who hopes to reconcile the two families through their children's union, they are secretly married the next day.
Tybalt, meanwhile, still incensed that Romeo had sneaked into the Capulet ball, challenges him to a duel. Romeo, now considering Tybalt his kinsman, refuses to fight. Mercutio is offended by Tybalt's insolence, as well as Romeo's "vile submission", and accepts the duel on Romeo's behalf. Mercutio is fatally wounded when Romeo attempts to break up the fight. Grief-stricken and wracked with guilt, Romeo confronts and slays Tybalt.
Montague argues that Romeo has justly executed Tybalt for the murder of Mercutio. The Prince, now having lost a kinsman in the warring families' feud, exiles Romeo from Verona, under penalty of death if he ever returns. Romeo secretly spends the night in Juliet's chamber, where they consummate their marriage. Capulet, misinterpreting Juliet's grief, agrees to marry her to Count Paris and threatens to disown her when she refuses to become Paris's "joyful bride". When she then pleads for the marriage to be delayed, her mother rejects her.
Juliet visits Friar Laurence for help, and he offers her a potion that will put her into a deathlike coma for "two and forty hours". The Friar promises to send a messenger to inform Romeo of the plan so that he can rejoin her when she awakens. On the night before the wedding, she takes the drug and, when discovered apparently dead, she is laid in the family crypt.
The messenger, however, does not reach Romeo and, instead, Romeo learns of Juliet's apparent death from his servant Balthasar. Heartbroken, Romeo buys poison from an apothecary and goes to the Capulet crypt. He encounters Paris who has come to mourn Juliet privately. Believing Romeo to be a vandal, Paris confronts him and, in the ensuing battle, Romeo kills Paris. Still believing Juliet to be dead, he drinks the poison. Juliet then awakens and, finding Romeo dead, stabs herself with his dagger. The feuding families and the Prince meet at the tomb to find all three dead. Friar Laurence recounts the story of the two "star-cross'd lovers". The families are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to end their violent feud. The play ends with the Prince's elegy for the lovers: "For never was a story of more woe/Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Tags: murder, cult, action, romantic, tragedy, revenge

Review:
A master stroke was Milo O'Shea as Friar Lawrence, never ever has there been a better role for this talented by rarely seen Irish actor.It's pointless complaining that the text is cut, by leaving out Romeo killing Paris and also the apothecary selling Romeo the poison in no way detracts from the overall imagery and beauty of Shakespeare's text.
But this was Italy in Tudor times when life was cheap and the willingness to reach for the sword was as it should be.Shakespeare understood human nature better than anyone and that's why all his plays show so much insight into the human spirit.Zefferelli balanced the film perfectly, nothing was overdone.
He combined the tragedy with the humour as well as the love story by casting the right actor for each role and even if some of them faded into oblivium later, for this film they were all perfect.
I happened to watch it on TV for the first time in 1986 as a little girl, and I just thought that Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey were the most gorgeous people and the best-matched couple ever.
Everything seems perfect in it: the sets, the colors and the lavish costumes, the music (there's so much to say about Nino Rota's exceptional score alone!), and the cast of course (not only do we have incredibly realistic and top-notch performances by the two lead actors, but the rest of the cast, including Michael York, Milo O'Shea and John McEnery, is also very good).
They didn't know each other before filming, but it turned out they had wonderful chemistry on-screen, and definitely set the standard as the perfect Romeo and Juliet.
Although he trims the dialog heavily in places (Romeo says, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?"- and leaves it at that) his version captures all the passion of Shakespeare's play magnificently.The scenes at the Capulet's ball at which the two young lovers meet are about the greatest I've ever seen on screen.
Whosoever says Whiting and Hussey are anything short of fantastic as Romeo and Juliet needs to reconsider how they want Shakespeare acted.
When you see these movies today,you realize how much they have worn well,and how much his detractors were wrong:Zeffirelli has never tried to change the world,but he has given beautiful movies which have stood the test of time quite well,perhaps because they are timeless.Even an epic and absorbing -and diametrically opposite to Zeffirelli's cinema - political work like Bertolucci's "Novecento" (1976) displays cheesy gauchism so trendy before the eighties in Europa .This is the second of the three Zeffirelli screen adaptations of Shakespeare -as a matter of interest,the others are "taming of the shrew"(1967 with E Taylor and R Burton) and "Hamlet" (1990 with M.Gibson and G.Close)-and it 's probably the best:Zeffirelli's genius was to cast actors (about) the age of the heroes as the leads.And Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey,both very beautiful,make up for their lack of experience with their youth,their innocence and the intensity of their looks.They are far better than Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes in the drag queens cum west side story Luhrmann's 1996 version.Besides they get strong support from dark-haired Mickael York as Tybalt and John MCEnnery as Mercutio.The colors are,as always in a Zephirelli movie (see taming,and his made-for-TV Jesus)dazzling.Two scenes stand out:the ball and the lovers death in the Capulet tomb.Filmed on location in Verona,we never have the feeling that we are watching filmed stage production,not a small feat.This is the definitive screen version of the Elizabethan classic.Sir Laurence Olivier is the narrator..
I was a cynical teenager who suddenly, while watching this film, found myself crying and really feeling the pain and anguish that the two lovers went through...The fact that I didn't know any of the cast(except Michael York-Tybalt) made it so much better!
Listening to the music of Nino Rota, my thoughts return to the absolutely flawless Zefferelli production of "Romeo and Juliet." This movie is the sublime orchestration of acting, sets, costumes, cinematography and that exquisitely haunting music.
This is the standard; subsequent versions need not be attempted.When I first saw the movie in 1968 I was overwhelmed by it, particularly the guileless acting of the two leads, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting.
This is the real Romeo and Juliet as Shakespeare himself, lived he in our era,would have orchestrated its filming.From the opening scenes at Capulet's ball, you'll be transported from this time and place to Renaissance Verona.
Stunning cinematography with sweeping colorful panoramas...the period ball, the dueling and crowd scenes, the morbid tomb...The young actors, Leonard Whiting at 17 and Olivia Hussey at 15, are the age Shakespeare intended and magnificently portray the "star crossed lovers" with very believable chemistry.
The balcony scene, brilliantly filmed, rings true and the wedding night (actually morning after) is touchingly and tastefully done, even with its hint of nudity for the teenage stars.The movie has a superb supporting cast, including John McEnry as Romeo's hot tempered and humorous friend, Mercutio, and Michael York as Juliet's rather despicable cousin, Tybalt.
It would take an Italian Director, Zeffirelli, to adequately film the most famous love story/tragedy in history and make it work beautifully.
Filmed in Italy and actually using teenage actors to play the star-crossed lovers at the right age (for the first time ever) brought great veracity and a definite freshness to this story.
Leonard Whiting is breathtakingly beautiful and young, so young as young as the Romeo in Shakespeare's play and Olivia Hussey's Juliet is not only impossibly gorgeous but I could believe that she is prepared to risk it all for the love of her Romeo.
Filmed in Verona, where the play was obviously set, plus the cinematography, and then the unbelievably perfect score, all facilitated its translation from its original stage-based home, to what is a true film masterpiece.It is the actors' (appropriately) youthful innocence, and that perfect tone, that make this depiction of the tragedy stand out, from other efforts.
Not only Romeo and Juliet, but also their companions impart perfectly the innocence, passion, swagger, spontaneity, charm and eros of Renaissance youth.The mild but exquisite eroticism of the bedroom scene was essential; there can be no moment when beautiful nudity is more strongly called for than in the sole such scene of a film celebrating young physically-inspired love.
The new version (Luhrmann's) turned some heads, and it's pretty classy too, but nothing can replace R&J as it was meant to be: in Italy, in the 14th/15th century, with swords and horses and "real" friars, with dust and heat and cobblestones, and period costumes.For study purposes, note this film leaves out a few significant events that are in Shakespeare's script, such as Paris's death.
They are two feuding families whose young sons Romeo (Leonard Whiting) and Juliet (Olivia Hussey) meet and fall in love and whose passion for one another is irresistible.
Then Romeo is banished to Mantua when he receives the news that Juliet has dead, and happen their tragic destiny.This is one of the best filmed and most pleasant adaptations of Shakespeare's play about a young love is poisoned by a generations long feud between two noble families .
The first major film production of this play to actually cast leading actors who were close to the ages of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Julietn.
This sumptuously version has the virtue of good and appealing casting, such as John McEnery as Mercutio, Michael York as Tybalt ,Bruce Robinson as Benvolio, Milo O'Shea as Friar Laurence , first cinema film of Pat Heywoodas The Nurse and Robert Stephens as The Prince of Verona .
And Laurence Olivier , he agreed to play the uncredited role of the narrator because he was so impressed with Zeffirelli's work for the National Theatre of Great Britain, of which Olivier was director at the time and he did it all for the love of William Shakespeare and didn't accept any payment.
Anyone interested in tragic love tales and timeless stories will want to watch this cinematic version on Shakespeare tragedy.Other versions about this know story are the followings : the vintage classic, Romeo and Juliet(36)by George Cukor with Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard; Renato Castenalli rendition with Laurence Harvey , Susan Shentall , Flora Robson Bill Travers and Enzo Fiermonte , Mervyn Johns ; a dance adaptation(1966) by Paul Czinner with Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn; famous rendition(1968) by Franco Zeffirelli with Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey; and modern version(1996) by Baz Luhrmann with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes .
I've loved it since I saw it first time - I was 16 and for me, Romeo and Juliet were not the Shakespeare's characters, they were just a girl and a boy who loved each other and died together because they could not live without each other.
In "Romeo and Juliet" he was able to make a very dynamic film that did not feel at all as an adapted play and also was a great romance which made me feel incredibly close to its characters.
I've seen "Romeo and Juliet" many times and I believe Zeffirelli's is the best adaptation of the play.
When the now-famous "star-crossed lovers" of two feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.Film critic Roger Ebert has written: "I believe Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet is the most exciting film of Shakespeare ever made".
I mean, you can say some great things about the Leonardo DiCaprio version, and some might appreciate "Tromeo and Juliet", but this really captures the story...This makes a great breakout role for Olivia Hussey (who never got as big as she should have).
Franco Zefferelli knew what he was doing when casting for Romeo and Juliet in his amazing movie-get two unknowns and turn them into stars!
No better actor for Romeo than Leonard Whiting (not even Leo DiCaprio).Hussey brought out an amazing appearance for Juliet.
Director Franco Zeffirelli had warmed up the year before with the Burton/Taylor version of "The Taming of the Shrew," but here he nicely transitions from the frantic comedy of the former to the darker and sadder tragedy of this story about star-crossed lovers (played by Leonard Whiting and the famously big-bosomed Olivia Hussey).
Zeffirelli infuses the film with the same kind of restless energy that was feeding the youth movement in 1968, so this is one Shakespeare film that feels completely relevant to the time in which it was released.The film has beautiful production values (the scene at the ball is a work of art all by itself) and of course that famous musical theme.
We all know the story but after viewing it in my high school days, I can't imagine a better film to show adolescents about Romeo and Juliet who were doomed from the beginning.
After seeing this film many times, I tried to watch other adaptations but anything fails in comparison to this classic Romeo and Juliet.
Zefferelli, displaying accuracy and truth to Shakespeare's vision, cast two young actors who had never met one another- Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey.
Whiting (Romeo) was 18 years old at the time while Olivia Hussey was either 16 or 17 during the production of the film.
The original music was composed by Nino Rota, a veteran musical composer for Italian cinema.Olivia Hussey was under age at the time she made this movie, but she was already treading new ground by appearing topless in the love scenes.
In the end, many of the picketers were so moved by the movie that they went home.This version of Romeo and Juliet lives up to the original story in every way.
While most recreations of Shakespeare only come across as mangled and forced, this movie manages to make Romeo and Juliet comprehensible though the imagery and acting, yet maintain much of the original dialogue.
Oliva Hussey looks beautiful and Leonard Whiting plays Romeo to perfection, not to mention a musical score that is instantly recognizable to anyone.
The believability comes from director Franco Zeffirelli's casting of real teenagers to play Romeo and Juliet.
The best Romeo and Juliet movie ever.The costume and acting was wonderful!The actor, Leonard Whiting was extremely hot!
Most actors for either Juliet or Romeo are extremely not right looking or can't act.Olivia Hussey was very pretty and I would have wished both Leonard and Olivia were given more credit for they truly deserved it.I gave this movie an A.
Its actually worth your time.another movie I would recommend would be the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Romeo And Juliet - No Ordinary Love Story...Franco Zeffirelli's Oscar winning 1968 masterpiece was filmed in Italy (Verona, I believe though I'm not 100% sure of that).
Olivia Hussey (Death On The Nile; It; Psycho IV: The Beginning; etc.,) shines as sweet Juliet, Leonard Whiting's (Frankenstein: The True Story; The Legend Of Young Dick Turpin; Rachel's Man; etc.,) portrayal of young Romeo is unparalleled and of course Michael York (Logan's Run; The Island Of Dr. Moreau; Austin Powers; etc.,) is outstanding as fiesty Tybalt.
This movie pulls every powerful aspect of Hollywood and leaves out its flaws for this film, masterfully directed by Zefirelli, wonderfully scored by Nino Rota, and beautifully manifested by Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, Michael York, John McEnery and Milo O'Shea for starters.
We take that word 'love story" for granted and forget what it means, and Shakespeare's play can give you one notion or two.The film might be overshadowed by the remake starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes, but this one has the merit to respect the original material while still making it accessible to young people and teenagers.
It captures the spirit of Shakespeare while translating it into cinematic language, with a powerful photography, a perfect leading cast, great supporting performances from Mila O'Shea and Pat Heywood playing Friar Lawrence and Juliet's nursemaid, and a haunting score by Nino Rota.
No need for me to add another rave review on the perfect casting of the teenage Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, the authentic, colorful costumes, the top-notch supporting cast, the deft camera work.Instead, I learned about excellent screen writing from this film.
It's the classic tragic romance from Shakespeare of star-crossed lovers Romeo (Leonard Whiting) and Juliet (Olivia Hussey) from warring families of Montagues and Capulets of Verona.
This is a beautiful adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic and tragic tale, Romeo and Juliet.
However, their love for each other are complicated by their families' continuing feud.This movie follows Shakespeare's play somewhat to a T, helped by the actors' theatrical but terrific acting, the colorful costumes and makeup, the beautiful setting and the enchanting screenplay.
It was at the latter where I saw this movie, feeling great to finally see a film adaptation of the play I have read and studied in school multiple times.This story may be adapted various times on film or made-for-TV, but this version is the ultimate depiction of the classic tale.Grade B+.
Most obviously "different" is the casting of then "unknown" actors Leonard Whiting (as Romeo Montague) and Olivia Hussey (as Juliet Capulet).
********** Romeo and Juliet (3/4/68) Franco Zeffirelli ~ Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery, Michael York.
I didn't see other movie versions of Romeo and Juliet -- I heard that updated version with Leonardo DiCaprio was terrible -- but I'll take other people's word for it that Zeffirelli's version was the best..
Director Franco Zefferelli was well versed with the classics and done directing and production design for the stage in drams and operas and in his filmed adaptation of the famous Shakespeare story of the doomed lovers Romeo and Juliet he successfully transcends a stage experience to the screen.
Zeffirelli's adaptation of ROMEO AND JULIET (1968) is still one of the most famous Shakespeare's work on screen.
Bad dubbing aside, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting are the best Juliet and Romeo that have ever been in this, the best movie version of the immortally famous Shakespeare.
What they do on screen has to be some of the best acting ever captured be teens on screen (although the dubbing does take away what could have been even more genuine, authentic and realistic).Filmed when Hussey and Whiting were 15 and 17 and released in 1968, this is the one version you have to see, if you only get to see one version of "Romeo and Juliet" ever....
Not only is 'Romeo and Juliet' Franco Zeffirelli's best film but it is without question the greatest Shakespeare film ever made and one of the five greatest films of all time.
If you love this movie watch Franco Zeffirelli's 1973 film 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' - this film is almost as great as 'Romeo and Juliet' and it is just as powerful and beautiful..
A wonderful director, two stunning main characters, a great supporting cast, and excellent film locations make this one of my favorite movies of all time.I would rate it 20 stars out of 10....
After Juliet finds love in Romeo, actor Leonard Whiting, she learns he is a Montague, her great enemy's son.
Hussey and Whiting perform Romeo and Juliet is the fashion in which Shakespeare intended.
Romeo & Juliet brings a life and urgency to a play that often comes across as too long for film.
No doubt, because Leonard Whiting (Romeo) and Olivia Hussey (Juliet) were teenagers cast in the lead roles, I was interested in the movie "in spite of" it being Shakespeare.
Whiting and Hussey seamlessly blend into the characters of Romeo and Juliet, and one could imagine that this would be similar to how they probably may have looked in Shakespeare's play.
After that, I love this film version of the beautiful play.
I also would like to say that "Romeo & Juliet" is now one of my favorite plays from the immortal bard.I thought the performances were dead on, especially Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey as the two lovers themselves, and also John McEnry's turn as Mercutio; he makes him look like a real "froot loop".