Customer Reviews

Romeo and Juliet

5 star:		(112)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Truly one of the greatest and most beautiful films created in this century.Without a doubt this film captures the essence of Shakespeare's poetic love story.A masterpiece of cinema art.Bravo...

While this movie has been around a long time, it also has a timeless theme that will never be outdated.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.

This movie is so incredibally good. Its so much better than the Leondardo Dicaprio version. If you liked that one, youll love this!!!!!!!!

For me, this is the only Romeo and Juliet Movie that matters! ... I've seen other movies of Romeo and Juliet and this is still the best one for me.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were made for this movie. If Shakespeare could have picked these two actors to play his Romeo and Juliet he would have!
For me, it is the most realistic movie made of this story of love between two young people of that time. It is just beautiful and will remain so for years to come. ...5 stars at least!

This glorified story of Shakespeare's two star crossed lovers has been told countless times, again and again, but this version written by Franco Brusati and Maestro D'Amico and directed by Franco Zeffererelli is the best to this date. Through their eyes we see their vision of these two youngsters of ill fate. This version was, and still is the best, because it was the first production of Romeo and Juliet to use actual teenagers in the major roles, Romeo and Juliet. This film catches the eye from the opening scene and you are totally enthraled throughout, even though most everyone knows what the outcome of the story is. In the first scene we get transported to a time most of us have only daydreamed about. The set that was used for this film was truly amazing because it took you back to the time of Romeo and Juliet without portraying the 1960's (when the movie was made), which makes this an accurate retelling of this timeless classic. The costumes were positively exquisite, especially in the famous Masquerade Ball scene. The costumes actually looked like they could be from that time era, which makes the film seem more real overall. The only thing that is questionable about this scene is that if the Capulet's family color was orange, which is mirrored by their clothes, and the Montague's purple- why did Romeo and his friends think they could get away with going to the Capulet's ball and not be noticed? In doing a review of Romeo and Juliet, how could you not comment on the famous balcony scene? It was an absolutely breathtaking performance by Leonard Whiting(Romeo) and Olivia Hussey(Juliet). Even though it is hard to believe that two young teenagers can fall in love so quickly, nevertheless saying they want to get married so soon and actually believing it( just incredibly unbelievable these days), but putting that all aside it made me feel as if it could really happen. Throughout this scene, as well as the rest of the movie, the audience is able to get wrapped up in the emotions of the characters, mainly Romeo and Juliet, through the music. The music that was played throughout the film, not only tugged at the heartstrings but also truly added the film as a whole. Overall I thought that Leonard Whiting(Romeo) did a pretty good job, even though I think that he came off as being a little more ditzy than the play revealed. Sure, he was suppose to be a lover, not a fighter... but that was a bit overplayed. Olivia Hussey's role as Juliet was a little more whiny than the usual take on Juliet, but conveyed that of exactly what she was, a young thirteen year old, trying to mature into an adult. Michael York gave a wonderful performance as the young hot headed Capulet, Tybalt. He showed his anger beautifully through his seemingly cool exterior. Milo O'Shea played the part of Friar Laurence fantastically. Overall he was somewhat manipulative (by marrying Romeo and Juliet secretly), but all he really wanted was for his fair city Verona's leading families to be at peace with each other. I have to stress that this is the best version of Romeo and Juliet that anyone could possibly see, so go out and rent it today!

This is a masterful work of art. Franco Zeffirelli did a breathtaking job of interpreting the play just how Shakespeare would have wanted it. Olivia Hussy makes a breathtaking Juliet, and the chemistry between the two young lovers was portrayed beautifully. All in all it is a wonderfull veiwing experience and I highly recomend it.

I did see this movie when it was in the theatres! I'm as impressed with it now as then. It has a sexiness to it with the youngsters in the lead roles, and brings a passion to it that is intoxicating. Wonderful to look at, wonderfully engaging Shakespeare. Highly recommended.