Customer Reviews

NEW Romeo & Juliet (1968) (DVD)

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2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Watching this as part of a highschool assignment, the teacher only allowed us to watch about 15 minutes of it. When I saw it playing on cable, I sat down to finish it. This, I must say, is the best version of Romeo and Juliet. In the '68 version The actors are young and even though it was made in '68, you can relate to them in this day. The acting is superb, no one better could have been picked for the parts. It was a real tearjerker. Not to mention the soundtrack...the songs were just amazing to hear. Just watch the movie once, you'll fall in love with it.

This is one of my very most favorite films. They are the characters, no one else. It is perfect in every way. The costume, the acting, the sets, the casting, the music. I get thoroughy enthralled every time, and weep every time. I cannot say enough good things about this film. I am thoroughly in love with it. It's enchanting, enrapturing, rich and beautiful, honest, thrilling, inspiring, heartbreaking, eternal...

I always love the works of Shakespeare, ever since I studied him in my High School English Classes; We were doing Romeo & Juliet in Grade 10, and we have watched this movie in class; and after that, I love this film of this beautiful play; I also would like to say that "Romeo & Juliet" is now one of my favorite plays from the immortal bard.

The performances are 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); and there's also the wonderful soundtrack,and as I said it many,many times, if there is one thing I love in film, is a very good soundtrack.

This is THE must see version of Romeo and Juliet. Zeffirelli's 1968 masterpiece stars 17-year-old Leonard Whiting and 15-year-old Olivia Hussey with great music by Nino Rota. Filmed "on location" in Italy this version also has the fingerprints of the 1960s all over it, from moddish long hair, the debut of Michael York as Tybalt, John McEnery as Mercutio, the lush balcony scenes, the nude scene, and an emotional intensity throughout. McEnery brings just the right comic touch to the comi-tragedy and screenwriters Franco Brusati, Maestro D'Amico, and Zeffirelli keep true to Shakespeare with a take on the story that's easily accessible to a wide audience, thereby making this one of the most popular films of the '60s.

Especially effective is the ambiguity of intent of the Tybalt-Mercutio duel, and the overall editing of dialogue just enough to keep it succinct and believable yet retain the poetic and philosophical virtuosity of the playwright's playwright. The music is used effectively and as it rises during the love scenes it's a manipulation that's an enhancement to rather than distraction from the emotion--a rare successful pull-off of this. And that balcony scene is extraordinary, the lush dark atmosphere, Romeo's giddiness, Juliet's beauty...I believed it.

Milo O'Shea (who later played the Judge in "The Verdict") does a believable Friar Laurence and Robert Stephens (I)(with a long list of Shakespearian roles to his name) an intensely serious Prince of Verona. It's hard not to fall in love with Olivia (watch for her new film role as Mother Theresa).

Some bits of trivia: Before 1968 Romeo and Juliet was not generally taught in US high schools and this film's popularity changed all that as most of you reading this had it in high school. Michael York turned down the role of Oliver in Love Story--one may read into this he felt it was a poor man's Romeo and Juliet...just a thought. Also Olivia Hussey briefly dated Prince Charles. And here's the clincher: Paul McCartney got the original offer to play Romeo. I'm glad he turned it down, as Whiting is perfect here. And for those who wonder, the story did not originate in historical fact, though one may wish it so. The story came from mythical legend starting in 5th century Greece, later evolving into "The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" translated into English in 1562 by Arthur Brooke and originally written about 1530 by Luigi da Porto., 'til Shakespeare got a hold of it (circa 1594) and breathed into it the life that will last as long as humanity does most probably.

This towers over the 1st film version with a 34-year-old Norma Shearer and a 43-year-old Leslie Howard, and as for the 1996 mess sorry guys; American accents, present day gang violence, over-the-top overacting, LA locales, and Leonard DiCaprio do not great Shakespearean tragedy make. This 1968 one is the one to see over and over.

I borrowed this tape from my local library to compare it and the Baz version. And I have to say this one wins hands down. I had to read Romeo and Juliet in eighth grade. And I really liked it then. But I like it even better now. Whiting and Hussey made an awesome Romeo and Juliet. This version draws you in until you actually feel like your there in Verona. It got to the point where I was laughing, crying, and shouting at the T.V. Especially when Romeo passed the friar carrying the letter. When I'll not let any more of the beans spill. So here's my recomendation. Rent, Borrow or Buy this version and you will not regret it. It's a MUST see.

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"Two Households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overflows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife."

The above comes from the prologue of this fabulous film, directed by the great Franco Zeffirelli.

This is a British-Italian adaptation of William Shakespeare's (1564 to 1616) play of the same name (written circa 1595). The play is Shakespeare's only romantic tragedy.

This movie, set in the fifteenth century renaissance period, follows Shakespeare's plotline fully, and retains much of his dialogue but some small details have been changed. Certain scenes and dialogue from the play were omitted. They had to be or this movie would have been much too long.

The chemistry between the fifteen-year old Olivia Hussey (who plays Juliet Capulet) and the seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting (who plays Romeo Montague, a part originally to be played by Paul McCartney) captures the essence of Shakespeare's play, which is about youth, desire, & death and captures the exhilaration of first love. (Indeed, it was teens, not Shakespeare fanatics, who made this the most financially successful Shakespearean film ever made at that time.) Both Hussey and Whiting act their parts with an awkward grace.

Sir Laurence Olivier spoke this film's prologue and epilogue. (The written play actually has no epilogue.) Look for a young Michael York in an important role.

The lavishly beautiful sets and costumes turn this film into a Renaissance painting (especially on DVD), and it's so sensuous that it seems you can almost smell the fruit in the Veronese marketplace. In fact, this movie won Academy Awards for "Best Cinematography" and "Best Costume Design."

(Note that on the back of this particular movie's DVD case, it says it received "four Academy Award nominations." This is not correct. It actually won two Academy Awards in the categories indicated above and was nominated for "Best Picture" and "Best Director.")

The background music is beautiful and adds to each scene. Note that the lyrics to this music was not written by Shakespeare.

This movie was filmed at various locations in Rome.

Finally, the DVD (the one released in 2000) is perfect in picture and audio quality. It has one extra.

In conclusion, this movie of the "star-crossed lovers" is most worthy to be included in William Shakespeare's cinematic canon. I leave you with a question Juliet asks in this movie:

"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?"

(1968; 2 hr, 20 min; wide screen; 18 scenes)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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While this movie has been around a long time, it also has a timeless theme that will never be outdated. New versions of attempts at making this movie have failed as this version was so well thought out, amazing mixture of photography and wonderful music and then of course there always is Olivia Hussey. She made the movie the classic it is, with her stunning beauty and innocent looks and actions, yet she put all her feelings into the movie and is totally beleivable in all scenes. I well remember the chill that went down my spine when I first saw her and her superb acting and one of the two climaxs of the movie when she and Romeo first meet at the dance and of course the famous balcony scene which is one scene I can replay in my head at any time and remember the magic of it. I cannot think how many times I have seen this DVD, but it is one that I will never grow tired of. I wish I had the proper words to explain the impact of this great movie, but it is one that you must experience on your own.
Tedd Riggs

As far as I know, Zefferelli has maybe one badly reviewed film to his name: "Tea With Mussolini". Everything else the man has done has been praised to the skies and been worthy of it. If you don't believe me, rent this movie or "La Traviata" and you'll see why! His version of this famous story is the film that gave birth to that reputation.

Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" is the 'quotemeister' for me amongst his plays. "Hamlet", of course, has quite a few memorable ones, and most often is the one quoted. however, R&J is BRIMMING with bon mots! Voila:

"Drawn...?! And talk of peace?! I hate the word."

"I tell you, he who lays hold of her, shall have the chinks!"

"Sweetmeats tainted are!"

"Who is Tybalt? Better then King of Cats, I'll wager!"

"I move for no man's pleasure, I!"

"T'is not so wide as a church door, nor as deep as a well, but t'is enough, t'will suffice!"

"Come back tomorrow, and you will find me a grave man....!"

"I AM FORTUNE'S FOOL!!"

"This day is black feint!"

"PUNK RAMPANT!!"

"I know better men than him, and twenty such jacks..."

"Now...hie thee home....FRAGMENT!"

"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet...."

"Give me a case to put my visage in!"

"True...I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain..."

"She doth teach the torches to burn bright! She hangs upon the cheek of night, like a rich jewel in an ethiop's ear!"

I could go on for paragraphs listing all the great turns of phrase in this play/film, something Shakespeare was known for, but I'll spare you. Suffice it to say that the acting of all members of the cast is excellent, particularly John McEnry's Mercutio...he really couldn't have been a better choice for the role, as the jester among the Montagues. Olivia Hussey's Juliet is an elfin, delicate beauty that most fellas would give their left arm for, especially Italian fellas at the edge of the Middle Ages! Pat Heywood's Nurse is excellent...somehow, her exuberant and natural reading of the role allows you to ignore the fact that her rather strong cockney accent should be out of place in 17th century Verona. Michael York's Tybalt is great! The way he is made up, he resembles a mischievous young bull minus the horns, just the right look for the contentious, troublemaking character. The one SLIGHTLY weak spot seems to be Leonard Whiting as Romeo...he seems too plastic, too pretty...too perfect looking for a roughhousing teenage boy fascinated with the sweet young Juliet.

He is, however, light years better in the role than the weak presence cast in the OTHER prominent version of the story, the Norma Shearer/Leslie Howard version done in the 30s. Except for Shearer, who is a revelation in WHATEVER she's in, this version was a casting director's NIGHTMARE! Howard was a TRULY wimpy Romeo, totally unbelievable; John Barrymore was a 50 yr. old Mercutio and looked it, and, (and I have no idea who the casting director was who made THIS mistake,) Andy Devine was cast as a prominent supernumerary! That's Andy Devine, as in "Pluck your magic twanger, Froggy!" If it hadn't been for the presence of Ms. Shearer in this cast as Juliet and for the excellent B&W cinematography, the movie would be completely unwatchable. As it stands now, it's camp joke that should fuel Saturday night giggle parties for every university drama class you can name from here until Gabriel blows his horn!

Zefferelli's film was immensely popular for its time, making something like $40,000,000, if I'm not mistaken, in its initial release. It is beautifully staged, cast, acted and researched and can still hold an audience 36 years after the fact! The script seems to be written in a style very faithful to that of Shakespeare's own and the actors' turns of these phrases are expert in just about every case.

Nowhere in the world of filmed period plays will you see a better production than this geniune 60s phenomonon, (except for maybe "Amadeus", "The Lion in Winter" or "Excalibur"). Buy it or rent it...you will enjoy it.

This is the perfect Romeo & Juliet that could ever be made, in my humble opinion. It works together so well, and Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey have such chemistry that make it so *real* The location is so realistic for the story, and the music is wonderful, too. I can't get over it.
As a bonus, Leonard Whiting is the most gorgeous man ever..

This is the best version of romeo and juliet I ever saw. You really believed them as R and J. The movie was quite funny too. The whole cast is outstanding. Great work done by all.