Rating: 
Summary: Rent it Today!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Tale Told in a Classic Manner
Review: Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 reproduction of the unforgettable tale, Romeo and Juliet, proved very true to Shakespearean standards. This film did not go against the original work in hardly any ways but instead portrays the work as exact as I have ever seen. For some people, like myself, this may prove to be enjoyable, while others may like more modernized adaptations. This film would be a great aid in teaching the story of Romeo and Juliet to those who are not too familiar with Shakespeare. The first time I viewed it was as a freshman in high school, having never been exposed to Shakespeare. Struggling through the play somewhat as a class for a while we finished the unit by watching this version of Romeo and Juliet. It was very helpful to see people acting out the words that were just read, making the story much more meaningful. I am a firm believer that plays are written to be acted out and without the acting out part much of the drama is lost. Since this version of Romeo and Juliet portrays the story as true as possible, I find it a very enjoyable film. Zeffirelli does an excellent job in making the two main actors, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, depict both Romeo and Juliet as they seem in the text. Also, using actual teenagers to play Romeo and Juliet was a good decision, something that worked well. Other versions of this story have older actors playing these roles, making it less believable and making us forget how young the lovers really were. The only complaint that I have about any of the acting in the entire film was probably not due so much to the ability of the actors themselves, but more so to the director who wanted to see Romeo and Juliet portrayed in a certain way. To me Whiting played Romeo as very much a romantic, almost too much so. This is something that I never picked up on as much by reading the text as I did by watching this film. Also, Hussey played Juliet almost a little exaggerated as a whiny young girl. Again, this was something I never picked up on when reading Romeo and Juliet, but was probably done because it was looked at as adding to the depth of the story. Both Whiting's and Hussey's performances were solid, however, no matter how their characters were depicted at times. Other strong performances can be seen in Lord Capulet, Lord Montague, Friar Laurence, and Juliet's Nurse. In deciding whether to view this film again or another version of Romeo and Juliet, such as Baz Luhrman's 1996 version, I would recommend that anyone who has seen either of them indeed view both. The difference in these films lies in whether or not one desires a classic telling of the story with solid acting and a classic scenery, or a much more modernized version also with strong acting but current scenery. Both version are great films almost too different to compare. If the main purpose of one's viewing this timeless story is to learn it the way Shakespeare had meant it to be, however, I would definitely recommend this 1968 version.
Rating:
Summary: Is it Really True Love?
Review: "Romeo and Juliet" directed by Franco Zeffirelli is the most true version of the classic Shakespear story. This story follows along so closely that you could take a scene and follow it along word for word in the book. In the beginning it feels like it is going to be another sappy love movie but when later find out that it is not typical of all love stories. I think that the director did an excellent job at showing the original story written by Shakespear. We see the same actions that are protrayed by Romeo in most love stories but the sneaking around by Romeo and Juliet makes it much more exciting than any normal sappy love film seen now days. As I get older, I realize that there is no true "Romeo" out there for me. We can all hope to find our "Romeo" but for most of us this is never going to happen. Romeo is shown as a character that dreams a lot. While the typical men of the town were out sword fighting Romeo was out picking flowers and chasing girls. Juliet is shown as more of an ignorant girl. She is out doing the typical girlish things. The relationship that Romeo and Juliet had is very unbelievable in the standards set today. Back in the days, when marriage happened at an early age, this situation seemed very realistic. The way Juliet and Romeo were sneaking around behind there parents back just to see each other was so sweet. While their familes forbidded them from being together they risked getting in trouble from there parents just to see each other. The nurse of Juliet is the only person who knows about Romeo and Juliet and their secret love for each other. I could not believe the fact that Romeo and Juliet went behind their families backs and got married. I think that if their parents would have known the truth about them it might have started a bigger fight than was already taking place. Just throughtout the film we see some of the family members die. Just because they are trying to protect their own families from each other. The only real thing that sets this story far from other love stories is the fact that Romeo and Juliet do not get to live happily ever after like the typical love story. I think that when Romeo sees his love laying there appearing to be dead, the shock of it being Juliet was enought to motivate himself to kill himself. Then when she awakes and sees her love dead she also deceides to kill herself. So the question can be asked to if they were really in love or was it just a little crush which lead them to think that it was true love. The way that this story was portrayed was incredible. I think they were in love but not in way that would last them for a lifetime. I really enjoyed this movie and I especially like it when they can take a story like this and make it into a movie that is extremely close to the original story.
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Summary: romeo and juliet review
Review: Franco Zeferelli's 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet is probably considered the classic in comparison to the other versions, such as Baz Luhrmann's modernized version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Zeferelli brought the most famous love story to life, and he did a fairly good job doing so. The most significant thing about Zeferelli's version is the fact that he used such young actors to portray Romeo and Juliet, which gives the film a more realistic touch to Shakespeare's original play because he created them as young characters to match the time he lived in. I personally love the original story of Romeo and Juliet, as most people do. The story has something for everyone. It has romance, action, drama, and even a little comedy, mostly provided by the character Mercutio. Zeferelli made his film set in the original time period and used the original language which made it a little difficult to understand, and it was at some points kind of boring. It is hard for people who aren't really into older movies to actually get into the film want to keep watching. This would be where Luhrmann's version comes into play. The comparison of the two is a very controversial topic. I personally think they are both great films and I think it depends on the type of viewer to determine which is better. If you are into more modern films, the you'd probably like the modern version, and vice versa. I think the drama of the story was excellently played out with the use of close-ups, zooming, and even just the basic camera work at the perfect points throughout the film. The scene when Romeo and Juliet first meet is a good example fo this. You can tell the characters are feeling such a strong attraction for each other, even though they have not spoken a word, and it is all in the camera work. The music also fits perfectly into the puzzle by contributing to the display of emotions. The soundtrack includes some pieces that are played several times, but are altered to fit the scene and match the moods of the characters. In a way, these two elements help you to feel the love, anger, hatred, and other emotions that the characters are feeling. The actors gave a splendid performance throughout, including the very young Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, who plated Romeo and Juliet. Personally, I feel they did as well if not better that Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the 1996 version who are considerably older. They had a connection between themselves from the moment the characters met that truly lived up the story of Romeo and Juliet. Overall I liked the film, but would prefer to watch the 1996 version. It's not that Zeferelli did a bad job, but the modern version captures my attention more than the older one.
Rating:
Summary: Love at First Sight?
Review: "Romeo and Juliet" directed by Franco Zeffirelli is the most true to date version of the classic Shakespeare story. The characters of Romeo and Juliet, played by Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, are very believable and represent the "star-crossed" lover characterization very well. But as my title implies, was it really "love at first sight?" The relationship between Romeo and Juliet is one that is, as I get older, harder to believe. Zeffirelli does a great job with telling the story as I think Shakespeare would have wanted it. It is interesting to note that before Zeffirelli's version, it was commonplace to have adults act out Romeo and Juliet, and this version makes it much more real, but it also questions the emotions involved between the two lovers. This movie shows the innocence of both Romeo and Juliet and how their romance was totally forbidden due to the tensions between the Montague and Capulet families, respectively. Romeo is portrayed as a dreamy sort of character. While the men are having daily swordfights in the square, Romeo is off picking flowers and seeing girls that he is interested in. Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, notices this and questions his interest in his latest love, Rosalyn. Juliet, on the other hand, is seeking love from someone, anyone for that matter. The only person who really pays attention to Juliet is the Nurse, played by Pat Heywood. The Nurse takes special care of Juliet because she lost a daughter about the same age as her is now and somewhat lives her life through Juliet. Juliet's parents are more concerned with parties and other things rather than the happiness and care of Juliet. In fact, Juliet's parents have secretly arranged for Paris, a much older man, to marry her. Romance happens very quickly for both Romeo and Juliet. Romeo spots Juliet at a function that the Capulets were hosting and Romeo becomes obsessed with thoughts of Juliet. Within a few days, they arrange through Friar Laurence, played by Milo O' Shea, to be married. After they are married they consumate their love for one another and Romeo finds that he must leave as he is banished from the kingdom because of Tybalt's death. Juliet is desperate to find a way to leave and be with Romeo, and seeks the Friar's assistance. The Friar devises a plan that finds Juliet drinking a potion which allows her to sleep comfortably for up to 48 hours. The Capulet family finds Juliet "dead" and initiates funeral service for her. Word of Juliet's plan was to be sent to Romeo, but unfortunately, not in time. Romeo finds Juliet "dead" and drinks a potion to be with her, his potion, however, is fatal. Juliet awakes to find her love dead and stabs herself with Romeo's dagger to be with him forever. I think this movie successfully portrays the truest form of Romeo and Juliet's short life. Franco Zeffirelli does a terrific job of telling the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
Rating:
Summary: Best bet!
Review: When Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet opens, we hear the same words we've heard countless times before, and yet the music, the view, and the voice immediately pull us in once more. And this time, we get the idea that it's going to be special. The performances given by Olivia Hussey (Juliet) and Leonard Whiting (Romeo) are certainly not what is expected. Hussey was only sixteen and Whiting one year her senior. In a story that takes some stretch of the imagination to believe all the events that take place, it is a stroke of genius to have the actors be extremely close in age to the characters. They do not nail the immortal words of Shakespeare as well as trained actors might, but we forget about this as their professions of love seem to be the heartfelt words of two young people very much in love. We are easily able to believe that these people are wearing their own clothes rather than a costume. Zeffirelli did omit quite a few scenes, but with the beautiful cinematography, they seemed unnecessary. The lighting in all scenes was brilliantly placed. The two most important scenes, the balcony scene and the crypt scene, are examples of this. The balcony scene occurs after the party where our two lovers meet. Romeo has wandered inside the Capulets' walls and hears Juliet vocalizing her love for him and her consternation at finding that he is a hated Montague. "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" He makes his presence known and they speak powerful words of love to each other and plan to meet the next day, when they will be married. The lighting is such that we think this is real. It is night. They are in love. This scene is so essential because we must believe their words wholeheartedly to be able to believe the rest of the story. The actors and director pull it off beautifully. The crypt scene is an equally important scene to orchestrate. In it, cruel timing results in Romeo finding Juliet in a death-like state. Juliet then awakens to find Romeo dead by his own hand in despair. Where else can we find two lovers mourning for one another's deaths? It is so improbable that it often seems contrived. Yet here, it is wrenching. Every time you see it, you keep hoping for her to wake up just a moment sooner. The lights cause the atmosphere to be just what you would expect it to be. The faint glow from the torches casts a small glimmer of hope into the dank gloom. The costumes, by Danilo Donati, won an Oscar and are a joy to watch. They add color to what would otherwise be a rather toned down world of stone and the colors of nature. The music, by Nino Rota, who composed the score for the Godfather movies, is exceptional and very well recognized. On a side note, it is commonly known that Rota would hum the theme on set to Zeffirelli for approval. Many stories lose their impact after countless viewings. We can be grateful that Zeffirelli's version of Romeo and Juliet allows it to remain fresh and emotionally powerful.
Rating:
Summary: Best Adaptation Yet
Review: This adaptation of William Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet is by far the best ever! This adaptation is the one true one that follows the play so closely that you can take whole scenes and follow along with a book. While watching this, I opened the book we had and could read word for word what the actor was going to say. Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting had such great chemistry that you didn't even realize that you were watching a play. It seemed more as if you were watching two of your friends in the same room. They brought their characters to life better than anyone else who ever portrayed these two did. The other thing that made this movie so enjoyable was the lighting. Normally, we are used to bad things happening in dark places whereas in this version of the movie, bad things happen in broad day light and in the middle of the market square in front of tons of witnesses. This gives the movie an interesting tone as a viewer is not used to it. Franco Zeffirelli does a beautiful job directing this, getting exactly the emotions he wants. In other versions of the play, the couple who portrays Romeo and Juliet are either too old or too young. These two, Olivia and Leonard, are just the age that a reader of Romeo and Juliet expect them to be. And they act just like it. They are star crossed lovers at the tender teen-age years. Everyone knows the plot of Romeo and Juliet, yet the way it is carried out in this adaptation is unlike any I've ever seen. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in William Shakespear and any of the adaptations. It might be little harder to understand because the language is the one of old, but the way it is presented is so wonderful that you lose yourself in the acting that you don't need to pay that much attention to the words. You can listen with your heart.
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Summary: A mythical voyage into our hearts of hate and love
Review: The best adaptation of Romeo and Juliet for the screen. It is first of all faithful to the utmost. It keeps the period (the Renaissance). It keeps the feudal situation (the signoria as it is called in Italy) with the Prince who is shown as an obsolute ruler. It keeps the diabolic Tybalt who always looks for a fight, with his little hat and the two symbolical horns it is wearing. It keeps most of the text, though it cuts a lot in details that are not needed any more because images and special effects, like trumpets and horses, make some lines unnecessary. It keeps the traditional reading of the play : Romeo and Juliet are naive teenagers who unconsciously and definitely willy-nilly, create havoc in the fair city of Verona. The death of Mercutio is admirable. The music is authentic. The dance, balcony and death scenes are beautiful and full of light. The tragic dimension of such a play, the real mythical dimension of the story is kept to the very last detail. It is the best way to discover this work of art, this masterpiece by Shakespeare. I say go, go ! You cannot miss it. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Paris Universities II and IX.
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Summary: Intro to Zeffirelli
Review: Strega2 has given an excellent and accurate review. Most of us got to know Maestro Zeffirelli through this film. Later we got to know his opera work through Live from the Met (and their subsequent videos). My wife and I relived his Romeo recently with this DVD. The transfer and print are top quality. We watched it 16:9 on a new widescreen TV. It was beautiful. Actually it looked better than it did in the small "arts" theater in which we saw it in 1967. The next evening, just for fun, we watched Tea with Mussolini (the rest of the story on Zeffirelli). His canon of films is short, but when he is good -- he's as good as it get!
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Summary: Teaching Romeo & Juliet in class?
Review: If you're a teacher looking for a smooth ending to the daunting task of teaching Romeo and Juliet, this could be it. It is not as modern or "flashy" as some of our attention-limited students might prefer, yet this film held all my students (including lower-level learners) in it's grasp. It follows the story (almost) perfectly with only a few minor and generally undisturbing story changes (great for a compare & contrast essay!) I have used it both as a reward upon completion of the novel, and as a supplement to the novel with equal success. Students might laugh at Juliet's overly dramatic crying, but by the end of the movie, there is no laughing... just tears and appreciation. When asked, most of my students will tell you they liked this version better than the Daines/DiCapprio version because it seemed more true to the actual Shakespeare version of the story. Coming from a group of difficult-to-please teens, that's a compliment for sure!
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