Rating: 
Summary: Excellent version of the classic
Review: Franco Zeffirelli's version of "Romeo and Juliet" is a timeless classic for its staging, genuine costume scenery and dialogue. A burden for most directors is taking on the task of a classic using great detail without diluting the authenticity of the play. Zeffirelli is able to accomplish this by letting the words of Shakespeare affirm the impact of the film and not overriding too much of the tradition of the story. The exceptional directing exhibited within the film comes from creating a Shakespeare play and portraying it how it was meant to be seen. For instance, Romeo waiting in a moon-lit, shadowy, backdrop and seeing Juliet from afar as she begins her famous "balcony scene" soliloquy ("O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?") demonstrates the serious intent of keeping this genuinely Shakespeare. As the scene progresses, we understand the burden placed on the "star-crossed" lovers who have begun an untimely and ill-conceived love affair. Another positive is the superb job of casting actors. Leonard Whiting (Romeo) and Olivia Hussey (Juliet) not only have the appropriate look and age of the play's two main characters, but both personify the quality of "innocent young love." They seem to affirm the credibility of two ill-fated teens from opposing households who are caught between love for one another and the hatred between families. Other notables are Tybalt, as the hot-headed Capulet, Benvolio, as peacemaker, and Mercutio (who delivers a great Queen Mab speech), as the witty and funny friend of Romeo. The most paramount moments of the play are left in the film. These include: the brawl scene between the two households, the Capulet's masque (where Romeo and Juliet meet), the balcany scene, the duel between Romeo and Tybalt, the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's rebellion from her parents, and the final climactic scene. Because the story is told in accordance with the play, and uses realistic visual staging and costumes, it becomes a useful supplementary tool for educators and students (and anyone else interested in Shakespeare) who study this play. My personal experiences of using this in the classroom have been exceptional, especially using the film and book as a side-by-side comparisons of each other, and MOST of the students have enjoyed the film (some even more than the Leonardo DeCaprio version!). Although the version is rated PG by 1968 standards, it would be a PG13 rating today due to brief nudity and a few suggestively crude scenes. This movie, unlike many retelling of classics, doesn't try to advertise itself so much that it loses its potential. Rather, it lets the viewers create their own opinions and simply tells the story with sharp precision. With good reason, Zeffirelli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" is the criterion by which other versions of this play are compared.
Rating:
Summary: A sumptuous Renaissance feast!
Review: Franco Zefirrelli's 1967 film was revolutionary in using teenaged actors to play the two most famous lovers of all literature. Olivia Hussey is heartbreakingly beautiful, a vulnerable and courageous Juliet, while Leonard Whiting's poetic good looks make him a sensitive and appealing Romeo. Zefirrelli's career as an opera director is put to spectacular use here--each scene is meticulously crafted to be an exact replica of the Renaissance. Stunningly beautiful clothing, jewels, furniture, food, glass, sculpture--it is an overwhelming feast for the eyes. The preserved medieval towns of Tuscany, and the lovely Borghese palace where the balcony scene is set, give the film the look of an animated Renaissance painting. Zefirrelli took some liberties with Shakespeare's original script for the sake of brevity, but unless you are a die-hard purist, this is a minor flaw. I saw this film a dozen times in the theater, and never without the sound of girls weeping by the end--I was often one of them. Leslie Howard was a better actor, and Leonardo DiCaprio/Clare Danes more modern, but if you love beauty, this is THE quintessential Romeo and Juliet on film. END
Rating:
Summary: The Defintive R & J
Review: I could watch this version of Romeo and Juliet over, and over, and over. The performances are dead on, especially John McEnry's turn as Mercutio (you understand the reason why he's killed off: people would have cared more about him than about the tragic heroes if he'd been around too much longer!). I would advise teachers, however, that this is not the first version they show students of the show. While most ninth graders read this play, the giggling that can abound in a classroom watching Romeo in tights often distracts from the meaning of the film.
So, for with the exception of ninth graders, this is the Romeo and Juliet to see.
Rating:
Summary: I had the entire script memorized by age 12!
Review: I fell in love w/the Bard, probably, directly from this movie! I was 11 (just the age to dream of being Juliet and "dying for love")! I was a fair-skinned, blue-eyed, blonde then (as Juliet was USUALLY cast--she WAS Italian, of course--but, then Verona is "mid-Italy"--alot of "blondes" there--but I didn't know that until 1976.) I thought they were both perfect! I learned to play the soundtrack on the piano, and bought the soundtrack (vinyl) and memorized all the parts. I thought someday, I might act in a Shakespeare play--I wanted to be an actress at the time. Alas, it was not to be...and, then, Zeferelli was accused of "statutory rape"--was it true? Who knows. "Alas, my only love sprung from my only hate. Hell, I forget the lines! Blah, blah...and known too late!" I'm 48 now, give me a break. I like that he kept MOST of the original language {the newer one w/DiCaprio and Danes, while I liked it, played loose with the original. Romeo is still alive when Juliet wakes up. They skip alot of lines. They ADD some lines. And,when asked, Claire Danes--"What was it like to play Juliet? And what do you think the message Shakespeare was trying to send?" answered "Juliet was just a chick who had alot happen to her in a short period of time" WHAT?? (lol)} The updated concepts of "gangs", Juliet as "extremely sheltered", the take on Mercutio, all were "right on target". The "tomb" scene is "pretty", but just plain "wierd"...who is "laid out" like that? And, did Romeo really scream, "Juliet!" from exile, when he thought she was dead? I love the 1967 version. It's fun, beautiful to look at, and more realistic to the time period. I like updated versions, so younger people can at least relate to it. But, us "baby boomers" related to all the "period costume" and language just fine. It also emphasizes the "point" more--the pain that ultimately arises from irrational hate. See it!
Rating:
Summary: what memories
Review: I first saw Romeo and Juliet when it originally came out in "68" I was 9, Now my 15 yr. old daughter is learning about Shakespere in high school and talked about Romeo and Juliet so I got the idea to order this for her (and me) she loves it....
Rating:
Summary: wonderfully beautiful
Review: I love all genres of movies and music. This film brings out the inner love of life from within me. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey do an amazing job for their age. Can one imagine how challenging it must have been for a fifteen and seventeen year old to master these roles. I believe they did a wonderful job. The movie moved me and made me appreciate the little suttle things in life like falling leaves in the fall and a crisp breeze blowing through your hair in the winter. The music, acting, direction as well as the actors bring the movie to life and makes all of us want to relive Romeo and Juliet in our worlds over and over again.
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Summary: Romeo & Juliet - DVD
Review: I love this movie with all my heart and soul. I watched this movie when I was ten yrs old, and I have been searching for it for all these past years. I believe it was hard for me to find it because back then I was in Micronesia, my home country. But as soon as I arrived in the United States, I continue my search for this classical love story movie. Happily, I found it and I want to own it on DVD with the format of both widescreen and full screen so that I can add it with my classical old movies. The problem right now I encounter is that, it is available only in the format of widescreen... Ooooooh! That's my personal problem because I prefer to own it if it is availabe in both formats, widescreen and standard. So I'm going to be patient and wait for it until it is available in both formats. I have a huge collection of movies but only in full screen or both. I thank you. That is my opinion on this great piece of movie...
Rating:
Summary: The Best R+J Remake Hands Down!
Review: I loved this film. I saw it in the mid nineties and everything about it lived up to the powerful romance of Romeo and Juliet. I was a teenager when I saw it and I appreciated the film for keeping this version closer to the story more than any other version alive. There were no gimmicks or sexually charged tricks like in the 96' remake. This relied on great acting and realistic actions. The directing was brilliant and the actors blew me away. Olivia Hussey is in her 60s now I believe and she is still one of the most beautiful women to set foot on the big screen. She was the perfect Juliet and no actress has ever come close to capturing Juliet's true essence the way Ms. Hussey has. This is a must see for people who like GOOD adaptations of stories. This is straight from the heart and cures the soul. There are no gimmicks and made-up dialogue. This R+J rocks! Skip all other versions (...).
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant!
Review: I purchased this DVD in order to assist my son with his HS English class' current study of Romeo and Juliet. I couldn't bear the thought of acquiring the Leonardo Di Caprio version, so I spent some time looking for other versions. While my son felt that this movie was "boring" and "mushy," (give him another couple of years <grin>), I couldn't stop watching it. In fact, I just watched it again tonight. This version is, in no uncertain terms, absolutely brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I really liked this movie. I thought is was much better than the modern version of Romeo and Juliet. I did like the modern one because everyone carries a gun, but that ending on there was terrible. On the other one it made sense of what they were saying. It had the original script of what Shakespeare wrote. Although I don't know why it's rated PG. I mean there is nudity in the movie. I had a hard time finding an error. There was at least one. They forgot to put in the part where Romeo kills Count Paris. But all in all this movie was terrific.
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