One of them is the 1968 romeo and juliet directed by franco zeffirelli, and starring leonard whiting as romeo and olivia hussey as juliet. Romeos reveler friends, benvolio and mercutio search for their lovesick pal, invoking no response from their derisive comments. The screenplay, however, is somewhat butchered in places, but its a much better film version than the 1996 mtv trash with dicaprio. Romeo and juliet 1968 is florentine director franco zeffirellis beautiful modern interpretation of shakespeares enduring, classic yet tragic love story of starcrossed lovers. This 1968 film is the definitive version of shakespeares 1594 play. Unit 6 task 4 analysis of a film romeo and juliet 1. Romeo and juliet and contemporary film audiences mais 701. Act iii scene 1, is the turning point, and thereafter the fortunes of romeo and juliet quickly go downhill until the catastrophe in the last scene.
A film guide that looks at romeo and juliet 1968, exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion. It won academy awards for best cinematography and best costume design. I am an english teacher and i have seen this film about 50 times. Juliet is by the fountain in the garden of the capulet residence when the nurse calls for her. Conclusionas revealed in this analysis of the final scene, luhrmann makes great strides in creating a world in which only romeo and juliet. Romeo and juliet film analysis by maggie brown on prezi. Romeo and juliet film by zeffirelli 1968 britannica. The most touching and beautiful story ever told, directed by franco zeffirelli in 1968 with leonard whiting and olivia hussey. Romeo and juliet is a tragedy written by william shakespeare early in his career about two young starcrossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. I am doing an essay on the 1996 version of the film romeo and juliet, staring leonardo dicaprio and claire danes. Not because it is greater drama than oliviers henry v, because it is not. At a lavish banquet, romeo, montagues young son, is captivated by 14yearold juliet and, not knowing that she is capulets daughter, he proceeds to court her. Throughout the whole film a large, red billboard transcribed with the word lamour meaning love is used as a misenscene included in various scenes to suggest that romeo and juliet centres on the theme of love and lust in young people. Print instantly, or sync to our free pc, web and mobile apps.
Indeed, its numerous iterations include operas, films, musicals, and, of. Baz luhrmann is the director of the modernised film romeo and juliet written by shakespeare in the 1700s. The solid leads and arresting visuals make a case for zeffirellis romeo and juliet as the definitive cinematic adaptation of the play. A contrast between shakespeares romeo and juliet and. Film synopsis t he peace of 15th century verona is disturbed by the ongoing feud between the houses of montague and capulet. She feels deceived and betrayed by romeo and yet struggles to overcome the negative effects in her heart due to his actions. Sir laurence olivier spoke the films prologue and epilogue. Romeo and juliet franco zeffirelli, 1968 dennis grunes. Techniques used by baz lurhmann in the film romeo and. How does baz luhrmann use film techniques to make shakespeares romeo and juliet discuss baz luhrmanns depiction of the characters in the opening scene of.
Olivia hussey and leonard whiting in romeo and juliet 1968. With leonard whiting, olivia hussey, john mcenery, milo oshea. The 1968 film is edited in a more traditional, invisible style by modern standards, though it certainly does have its stylish flourishes, such as when romeo and. The acting is great, and the setting of the play is retained. The setting is the closest thing to 50 verona and is visually stunning. Franco zeffirellis 1968 adaptation of shakespeares romeo and juliet was unique in its day for casting kids in the plays pivotal roles of, well, kids. His name is romeo, and a montague, the only son of your great enemy. Since it was first written and performed in 1596, shakespeares indelible classic, romeo and juliet the doomed romance of two teenagers from feuding families is possibly the most famous love story ever penned. Romeo and juliet is a 1968 cinematic adaptation of the william shakespeare play romeo and juliet the film was directed by franco zeffirelli, and stars leonard whiting and olivia hussey. The significance of editing techniques in the adaptation of play texts into film. In addition to remaining faithful to the text, zeffirelli, in a rogue move, cast his leads with actual teenagers, far closer to the starcrossed lovers ages in shakespeares text. Who said in romeo and juliet a plague a both your houses. Romeo and juliet film 1968 literature essay samples.
What are the main differences in the filmic techniques used in the. It is intriguing that zeffirelli in 1968 focused on love, while baz luhrmanns popular version of 1996 focused on violence. Modern adaption took away the purity guns juliet and romeo are a lot older, therefore theres less youthful love violence overwhelms the true meaning of the play. Juliets response when she hears that romeo was the cause of tybalts death is full of oxymorons, reflecting the conflict in her heart. The first challenge is that most people are familiar with the story, and may already have certain expectations. Baz luhrmanns film romeo and juliet is introduced to the audience as a segment from a news bulletin. It was very influenced by the style of the avantgarde 1960s french new wave. Techniques used by baz lurhmann in the film romeo and juliet in the film romeo and juliet baz lurhmann uses a number of techniques in order to make the prologue more accessible for a modern audience. Techniques used to direct two film versions of william shakespeares romeo and juliet having watched two different film adaptations of romeo and juliet, it is clear to see that the two directors, baz luhrmann and franco zeffirelli, have used a number of different techniques, quite differently at times, to put across their particular interpretations of the play. It was originally released as a vinyl record, containing nine entries, most notably the song what is a youth, composed by nino rota, written by eugene walter and performed by glen weston. This is done very effectively and it makes the themes easier for a contemporary audience to understand. Franco zeffirelli and baz luhrmann go headtohead as francesca militello compares their adaptations of shakespeares romeo and juliet. The balcony scene in romeo and juliet is one of the most famous scenes in all of shakespeares plays. Romeo and juliet 1596 by william shakespeare, romeo and juliet 1968 by.
Analysis the tragedy of romeo and juliet by william shakespeare is considered by many the greatest love stories ever written. Romeo and juliet remains the magical high point of his career. Seventeenyearold leonard whiting and 15yearold olivia hussey play the titular pair, the bards starcrossed lovers who defy a running feud between their families in order to be together in love. Romeo and juliet film 1968 literary elements gradesaver. Prodigious birth of love it is to me that i must love a loathed enemy.
Romeo and juliet, american film drama, released in 1968, that was an adaptation of william shakespeare s famous tragedy of the same name. The themes it explores, the tragedy that is born of a prohibited love in a world of learned hate is one of those primary myths that appeals to all people. With this in mind, i believe franco zeffirellis romeo and juliet is the most exciting film of shakespeare ever made. Romeo and juliet film 1968 study guide contains a biography of franco zeffirelli. Positive the 1968 version of romeo and juliet is one of the finest adaptations of william shakespeares classic play of a pair of starcrossed lovers take their life.
The other is the 20 romeo and juliet film directed by carlo carlei starring hailee steinfeld as juliet and douglas booth as romeo. Enter romeo and juliet above, at the window juliet wilt thou be gone. Shakespeare films even branaghs complete 1996 hamlet routinely cut the plays but, rarely as here, so mischievously. The 1968 film is edited in a more traditional, invisible style by modern standards, though it certainly does have its stylish flourishes, such as when romeo and juliet dance at. Director franco zeffirellis 1968 version of shakespeares romeo and juliet was touted at the time of its release successfully, if the boxoffice receipts are any indication, as something of a youth trip movie. The question and answer section for romeo and juliet film 1968 is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The cinematic differences between these two versions lie largely in the realms of editing and cinematography. What are some film techniques the director uses to develope the theme. It was among shakespeares most popular plays during his lifetime and along with hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. Romeo and juliet, american film drama, released in 1968, that was an adaptation of william shakespeares famous tragedy of the same name. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear. Filmed on location in italy, it was the most commercially successful shakespeare film and its most entertaining, refreshing and natural rendition a passionate celebration of young love.
The climax, the marriage of the hero and heroine, comes early in the play. This is because zeffirelli broke the longstanding tradition of casting overaged, sometimes greyhaired players in the title roles. Luhrmen uses cinematic techniques to help make shakespearian dialogue understandable to a modern audience. Two different directors could film the same scene and an informed audience member should be able to tell the difference. Romeo and juliet luhrmann and zeffirelli film comparison. Romeo and juliet 1968 film the art and popular culture. Death of mercutio and tybalt by lord sebastian flyte. The original costumes from zeffirellis romeo and juliet.
Mercutio, from the 1996 film prince escalus, from an opera production lord and lady capulet, from a german musical production lady and lord montague, from a production by the california school for the deaf tybalt, from the 1996 film father lawrence, from a production by the chicago. Techniques used to direct two film versions of william. Romeo and juliet is a 1968 britishitalian romantic tragedy film based on the play of the same name by william shakespeare. The differences between the 1968 and 1996 versions of romeo.
A wide variety of literature, despite how renowned, is susceptible to great alterations that may change the entire meaning of the work, such as romeo and juliet. Romeo and juliet introduction the montagues and the capulets were two important families in verona there was a quarrel between them romeo was the son of lord montague and juliet was the daughter of lord capulets the play tells about the love of romeo and juliet romeo and. The film absorbs much of the culture of the sixtiesespecially the rolling stonesbeatles haircuts on most of the principal male characters. The soundtrack for the 1968 film romeo and juliet was composed and conducted by nino rota. Screenplay by franco brusati, masolino damico, zeffirelli. Until this version of shakespeare s tragic romance, the actors who. It emphasises the suddenness of the love of romeo and juliet, love at first sight, aroused in a moment and soon to be opposed.
What are the main differences in the filmic techniques. At various parts in the film the acting shoots back to the theatre arch at sycamore grove and ideally near the end after both romeo and juliet had taken their lives, a shot of the grove is shown with bright stage lights illuminating a. When analyzing the directors contribution to a film, look for signature elements such as familiar actors, edgy dialogue, unique devotion to particular camera angles or perspectives, or creative background music. Romeo and juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of renowned playwright william shakespeare.
Directed by franco zeffirelli, it is often lauded as the best take on the oftfilmed classic. Franco zeffirellis romeo and juliet is a lovely, sensitive, friendly popularization of the playthe lovers, leonard whiting and olivia hussey, as young and full of life as they ought to be, italy of its time there intact, a lot made of the relationship between romeo and mercutio, beautifully played by john mcenery adler. Comparison between shakespeares romeo and juliet and the film by baz luhrmann. The music score won a silver ribbon award of the italian national syndicate of film journalists in.
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