William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” was by far the most well-known classical piece of romance literature in the world, a powerful tragedy drama. In decades it has been adapted into movies by directors from all sorts of language backgrounds. Among those, two of them are definitely the most successful and famous adaptations- the muchly appreciated classical Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version and the modern version directed by Baz Luhrmann in 1996 was although controversial, it portrayed the purest and unstoppable love in a turbulent society by using creative, jazzy elements that was stylishly edited in a modern way.
Both of the 1968 and 1996 films have clarified the setting right at the start of the film- 13th century (the medieval times) in Italy for the 1968 version, and modern but trouble-filled society at California’s Verona Beach in the 1996 version. Scenes were set on the beach or at the Capulet’s grand mansion, which sets a big contrast to classic and antiquated cobblestone castles of the medieval centuries. The 1996 film being a modern adaptation, starts with the TV newscast reporting the fire caught in the petrol station caused by Romeo and Juliet’s cousins’ gun fight, which gives the audience a sense of danger, fast-pace and risk as well as gaining some knowledge of the hostile relationship between Romeo and Juliet’s families. The 1968 version pulls open its curtain and gives the audience a panoramic view of the Italian landscape. As the camera pans around, the narrator reads out the famous prologue from Shakespeare’s original play, indicates that the trend of the film will closely follow the classical play.
Props and clothing used in the two films is what sets them to great contrast, mainly because of the different...
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...he scenes. The 1968 version uses calming and stately music to give the viewer a sense of time and manners that were employed then; while the music in the 1996 version were all western- styled. The song, "What is a Youth?" is carefully chosen and has done a foreshadowing effect to the future of the star- crossed lovers. Slow, pleasant music is played behind conversations between Romeo and Juliet that contributed to the mood.
In conclusion, between two of the films, they each have their own merits, as they cannot be judged as which one is better or more successful at interpreting the master piece- the 1968 version was grand and classical, plot and setting closely follows the original written work by Shakespeare, while the 1996 version is fashionably creative and focused on the meticulous emotional details of the characters and original in its edited cinematography.
contrast to Baz Luhrman's production, with the exception of the language used in both productions. Zefferelli's production however is far more effective, as he has tried. to keep the film close to the original script and intended exactly how. Shakespeare wrote it. This approach clearly portrays the concept.
Romeo and Juliet is a play about two lovers who have to risk their lives in order to demonstrate their love and will to stay together, regardless the feud between their families. By the end, the death of Romeo and Juliet finally bring the reconciliation to these two families. It is fate that the two most shall-not meet people fall in love and it love that eventually won against hatred. Since then, there have been many different versions of Romeo and Juliet, whether it was for film, stage, musicals. These different recontextualised adaptions change the original play by many ways, some modernise the language, environment, props as well as changing the original characteristics of some characters. Out of all the different adaptions of Romeo and Juliet, two stood out the most. One was the Romeo and Juliet (1996) and directed by Baz Luhrmann and the other one was Romeo and Juliet Broadway (2013) play version,
Who would be willing to die for their loved ones? Romeo and Juliet would and did. Romeo and Juliet’s love and death brought two families together who could not even remember the origin of their hate. When the parents saw what their children's love for each other, they realized that their fighting had only led to suffering and insoluble conflict. Romeo and Juliet loved each other to an extent that they killed themselves rather than live apart. They did it with no hiatus. Juliet says before she kills herself, “O happy dagger, This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.”( 5, 3, 182-183) demonstrating how she would rather die than not be with him.
“Romeo and Juliet” is an age old tale featuring love and heartbreak, and is perhaps one of literature’s most beloved and despised story. Director Franco Zeffirelli, transformed this tragedy into the 1968 film that we know about today; which is considered the most idolized adaptation of the play. It starred Olivia Hussey (Juliet) and Leonard Whiting (Romeo) as the protagonists of this film. One of the reasons Zeffirelli’s adaptation of the film is the most raved about is because of his choice in cast. He chose Romeo and Juliet’s characters very close to the age that Shakespeare had written in his story, instead of hiring older actors with more experience. It also included John McEnery (Mercutio), Michael York (Tybalt), Milo O’Shea (Friar Laurence)t, Pat Heywood (Juliet’s Nurse), and Robert Bisacco (Count Paris).
Paramount aspect of the movie and the play, the theme, were the same, and the overall messages in both were the same. For example, one main message in the stories was that love conquers all. This was demonstrated in both the play and the film when Romeo and Juliet kept secretly meeting each other even though they knew it was against their families’ wishes. In one scene of both the movie and the play Romeo and Juliet even got married and died together so that even if they could not be together on earth they would be together in death.
The pace in which the The film goes very fast and it changes from one location to the next in a sequence of images, which occurs a lot during this recent film. In Franco Zeffirelli’s adaptation of the film, there are very similar. settings as they are both set in Verona but they have a different timescale and time period in which the film was produced. In the beginning of Act two Scene ii (the balcony scene), Romeo.... ...
It is more relatable, even enjoyable, taking Shakespeare's script and supplying a well adapted motion picture for the younger generation. However, Zeffirelli conveyed what would have been the best adaptation of Shakespeare, gaining yet another, final round-of-applause from The Bard.
The most obvious changes are the physical elements of the film. People who are watching an edited movie before will realize that the backdrop is different before they realize that the music is different. Also, the balcony that the balcony scene took place in the 1968 version of the film
What stuck out as being most different between the two versions of the movie were how the characters acted. In the classic version, Juliet is a much more timid girl and seems much less "experienced" than in the newer version. I feel that her shyness makes her more desireable. It makes their romance seem much more innocent and more meaningful at the same time. I feel that the new Romeo is much less shy in the newer version. This makes their love seem much more lustful, rather than meaningful. Another actor that seemes to change drastically is Tybalt. In the original version, he seems to be much more in control. Tybalt in the newer version is extremely bitter and much more controlled by his uncle.
The Major Differences Between Two Film Versions of Romeo and Juliet The major differences between the two movies Romeo and Juliet who were
Romeo and Juliet is about purity. That´s what Romeo and Juliet are, a story of two young teenagers, against odds, falling in love in an absolutely beautiful way. The 1996 version ruins this purity by having the two lovers die in front of each other. It takes away the feel of originality. The play didn't need extra drama, and neither should the movies. The story line involves, the non adulation of two rebellious youth who decided to fall into a perfect world. Their death is suppose to be a tragic tale, in which fate killed them. This story doesn't need the excess drama of Romeo and Juliet dying in each other's
Translated across many forms of media, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has long gripped the hearts of audiences around the world. Its many adaptations have made it readily available in a range of forms. Baz Lurhmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet is one example of film bringing the story of Romeo and Juliet to a new generation. Originally met with hesitation, Lurhmann’s film was deemed a pop culture remake of the classic story. The trailer released for the film followed suit, flashing images of violence, guns, and heart-throb Leonardo DeCaprio, in order to grab the attention of the audience. In most cases, people do not realize that behind these scenes lies subliminally transmitted emotion. Through the instrumentation
Baz Lurhmann’s creation of the film Romeo and Juliet has shown that today’s audience can still understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Typically, when a modern audience think of Shakespeare, they immediately think it will be boring, yet Lurhmann successfully rejuvenates Romeo and Juliet. In his film production he uses a number of different cinematic techniques, costumes and a formidably enjoyable soundtrack; yet changes not one word from Shakespeare’s original play, thus making it appeal to a modern audience.
The places appearing in the play are barely respected, however the Capulet´s mansion including its walls and garden appear both in the play and the film due to the fact that the events taking place there are crucial because it is the place in which Romeo and Juliet´s first meet and develop their love affair. Apart from this, they are forbidden for Romeo, so any other location would have reduced the tension of his intrusions. In addition to this, in the film the streets of Verona are repeatedly replaced by the beach, and so the friar Lawrence´s cell by his chapel. It is usual to find that whereas in a single scene of the play the events occur in a single space location, in the film it is possible to see more than one, as in the case of the first scene o...
Franco zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann both interpret William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in their own unique styles. Although they use the same script written by Shakespeare, these two films are different in character, music and blocking. They both introduce the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers that were kept apart by fate. When compared to Baz Luhrmann, Franco Zeffirelli’s comprehension of Act 2, scene 2 shows more accuracy to Shakespeare’s original work by placing the setting on a balcony, displaying the mood of the scene as more calm and peaceful and creating less emotion for Juliet.