Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully Done Movie...
Review: I viewed this movie in my Freshman English Class after reading the play. I was a bit disappointed that my teacher chose this version...because all of my friends were watching the Leo DiCaprio version in their classes. I soon realized, however, that this movie was a much better choice. It stays true to Shakespeare, retaining most of his lines. It also takes place during the Renaissance in Italy. The Leo DiCaprio version is not very traditional, and is not an accurate portrayal of R+J. I loved this movie because the scenery and costumes were beautiful, and the actors and actresses delivered wonderful performances. I really enjoyed the fact that Romeo and Juliet were played by young actors, because it made it more realistic. I still want to see the DiCaprio one (and I am upset that I can't find it in Blockbuster), but this movie more accuratly portrays what Romeo and Juliet should be. I am thinking about buying this version, I like it so much.
Rating: 
Summary: haha! lots of laughs!
Review: Of course, it was great in its heyday, the 60's. Right now its melodramatic overacting is just plain funny.
The movie stays true to the story line very well, but its acting is wayyyy overrated, and the music simply adds to the comic affect. From the first time Lord Montague leads a screaming mob shouting, "MON...TA...GUE![.]" into a fight to the amazing leaping Romeo from a tree to Juliet's arms...this is full of laughs for the overcritical...um, well, critic.
Rating:
Summary: No Shakespeare Fan But This Movie Was Good!
Review: My high school English teacher showed this movie to us in class when we were listening to the play on record. The class howled excitedly as they saw the graphic parts of the movie. However, the movie interested students into understanding Shakespearean literature and that time period. I find Shakespeare boring because I don't understand the English and it really doesn't do anything for me. When it is on screen, that's really where it will get the viewer intersted.
Zeferelli did a great job directing this movie for audiences who don't read this kind of literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible Acting
Review: I read the play Romeo and Juliet in my Shakespeare class, and thought is was a very good play. But when I saw this movie I was very dissapointed. The acting in the movie is just HORRIBLE.On all the parts, it is either overdone or underdone.And on top of that,they cut out alot of dialogue toward the end.I think there is a reason why Shakespeare wrote these plays for the stage. I would reccomend the version with Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Daines over this one.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best version of R and J I have ever seen.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sorry Attempt
Review: I will say that this is the best cinematic rendition of "Romeo and Juliet" that I have seen. It does little, if any, justice to Shakespeare, however. A number of lines and even scenes have been cut, scenes which gave the story its true depth (for example, when we are first introduced to Romeo in the play, he is weeping and lamenting his lost love Rosaline; in the movie he only provides some brief thoughts on love, with no particular despair). This is only a superficial story of love, worthy of more comparison to "Titanic" than to Shakespeare's masterpiece. The acting is fair to good, the scenery is marvelous, but the editing of the script (and Zeffirelli's poor interpretation) leave little to comtemplation. Shakespeare's play is not some simplistic, sappy tale of tragic love; it is a multi-layered study in life, providing us with great insights and truths. If you want the best movie version, then buy this one, but if you want to know what "Romeo and Juliet" is really all about, attend a live, full-length performance (or at least read the play itself).
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Rendition
Review: From the first time I've seen this movie, it has stood out as the most amazingly beautiful portrayal of Shakespeare I have ever seen. I saw it in 9th grade and my entire english class was enthralled by it. If you like Shakespeare, you HAVE to see this movie!
Rating:
Summary: A great movie
Review: The first time I saw this movie was when I was in Junior High School. I loved the movie then and I love the movie now. It was a beautiful and sad movie. Everyone should see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Forsooth! 'Tis a fit feast for heart and soul. Spaketh more!
Review: Other reviews having been gazed upon, wilt I wax sort of eloquent, methinks, upon gaping slack-jawed anew at yon flickering screen...I saw this film when it first appeared and I was a pre-teen, and it somewhat affected my childish boy's mind even then, but it slept in dim memory until I channel-surfed smack dab into it on AMC last month. Durn-burn it, what's a mid-40s full-grown family man doing gushing about a length of cheap plastic tape infused with rust particles? Simple. One is dead inside if this film does not one affect. Rather than echoing the many, many positive reviewer comments found here that I agree with, wilt I some other thoughts add. From the commentary in the above link, it should be noted that the puns, double meanings, and poetry of Shakespeare is truly a work of art -- you will double and otherwise completely enjoy this film once you The Bard himself hear spaketh through it. (Mind you, this appreciation comes from a full-blown mechanical engineer, an applied physics type, not some liberal arts major.) Some of this is captured in the film, such as Capulet welcoming his guests to his "poor" house, but you have to have done your background reading and understand the older language nuances before you can appreciate all of it. To those reviewers who found the language difficult to understand or even boring, this is probably the reason why. There is such power and irony in Shakespeare's words that, if you like this movie, it is worth buying a complete book with expert commentary so that you can anticipate and then fully appreciate what Zeffirelli, Whiting, Hussey, and so forth did. I doubt this combination can ever be beaten. The film plot is so exquisitely balanced and timed, reflecting Shakespeare so well, as to compel its audience into the headlong rush toward the highest of emotional highs followed immediately by the depths. All of Romeo and Juliet's moves and lines complement each other as demonstrated by Romeo separately saying "O dear account! My life is my foe's debt." and by Juliet also separately saying "My only love sprung from my only hate." at Capulet's party. If you read a commented book, you'll find that there are many, many hints of deep foreboding at strategic locations. Look for them to be brought to life in the film. But also, notice the timeless appeal of absolute commitment to each other. On the balcony with Romeo: O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Juliet: What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? Romeo: Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. Juliet: I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, And yet I would it were to give again. Romeo: Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love? Juliet: But to be frank and give it again. And yet I wish for the one thing I have. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. It seems to me that this is the essence of what makes the rest of the story so compelling. Wert this a one-nighter of mere lust, nobody would pay attention to such true boredom. Yet, they go through thick and thin to fulfill these, their vows. This makes the marriage scene, short as it is, one of the most beautiful in the film. Their vows before God are one of most powerful and satisfying outward affirmations of deep affection. Would that such fathoms of expressive emotion could come upon more people. Their vows and marriage are the reason that their physical celebration of it is so innocent, loving, and powerful, marking the true accuracy of this film in portraying Shakespeare's intent and Zeffirelli's homage to purity. Finally, I read a lot of commentary about the youthfulness, charm, and beauty of both Leonard Whiting as Romeo and Olivia Hussey as Juliet, which added greatly to the film's emotional power. You can also read that Shakespeare adapted this story from a tale originating in the year 1303. He actually shaved the ages of Romeo and Juliet just a bit. Thus, Zeffirelli made Whiting and Hussey more true to the original story! Shakespeare did this apparently to fit into the social context of the times in which the play was written. This is useful to know wherefore some of the plot develops as it does. In short, grab a box of tissues and see the film! And thank you very much cast and crew, even though it is 30+ years late. 'Tis an honor to thee thank.
Rating:
Summary: Simply a Classic
Review: This movie is an example of great acting .The characters are so real and pure.very refreshing and a movie that is truly one of the best romantic movies.I find even their speech,so poetic so light and airy.You'll be completely mesmerized .
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