Analysis of the Opening Scene of the 1996 Film Version of Romeo and Juliet
Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film version of the popular 1600s Shakespearian
play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was hugely successful with modern audiences.
Due to the film techniques used, it was able to capture the viewers’
attention and imagination. Also the way that he made the old language
accessible to the modern audience by “freeing it from its cage of
obscurity”. This movie won in the Berlin International Film Festival
the awards for Best actor (Leonardo Dicaprio) and the Alfred Bauer
Prize. It also got nominations in the Academy Awards for Best Art
Direction (Catherine Martin) and Set Decoration (Brigitte Broch).
These were all attributes to the success of this modern version of the
old tale of an ancient grudge, power of fate and true love that is
‘Romeo and Juliet’.
In this scene Luhrmann captures the viewers’ attention by displaying a
far-away television on a dark background. (To keep the focus on the
television) When the newsreader starts to talk the picture zooms in
almost drawing you into what is being said. By using an American
newsreader to read out the prologue Luhrmann makes another connection
to the modern audience because the reader is related to the modern
day. But because it is quite quiet when it is being read out it seems
more of a background story to let you know a bit about what is going
to happen in the film, instead of a full report. The prologue is read
out a second time by Friar Lawrence this is done because when he reads
it out with more compassion and this makes the viewer feel more
involved. Friar Lawrence reads this part as the film is running
through the characters in the movie, this is just a quick
introduction, and it does not show Romeo or Juliet though this is so
it creates an air of mystery for the two characters.
The setting of the fight scene is a very public gas station; the
buildings around the station are quite rundown, this shows that the
of tune”, is a lark, not a nightingale and thus it are dawn and Romeo
We learn the feud has been going on for some time, yet we never learn
of a peacemaker in the play, he says in the play “Part fools! Put up
tells the story as it should be told and comes under the utter annoyance of the
The environment surrounding the star-crossed lovers in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet can influence audiences who may interpret the scenes in different ways. The audience can be greatly affected in their interpretation of the story by the mise-en-scene, costuming, and the hidden symbolic meaning. This great piece of literature was edited in two unique and intriguing forms, one Zeferelli directed which was filmed in 1968, and the modern version produced in 1996. The different scenes throughout the length of the party were the most influential to me in that I saw how different these movies were directed, and the different meaning I experienced from watching these movies. Focusing on the environment of the scenes and the costuming helped me in my interpretation, because I found hidden symbolism from these two qualities.
Baz Luhrmann's Production of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Julie in Baz Luhrmann's production of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", our expectations are swept aside and a modern film appears. When I sit down to watch one of Shakespeare's plays, I expect to see medieval clothes in a rural setting with plenty of poor people. I also expect the words and acting to blend together harmoniously. Instead Baz Luhrmann chose to set the opening scene at a beachside, gas. station.
Good morning/afternoon Ms Pritchard and 10B English, today I will be exploring two of the same scenes from different film versions of Romeo and Juliet. Each film was directed by different but equally professional directors to allow the audience to understand the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The scene I am going to analyse is the party scene when Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. The first film being discussed was directed by Baz Luhrman in 1996; an Australian director who loves to spice up his films to keep the audience on their feet. The second film was directed by Carlo Carlei in 2013; an Italian master mind of directing who prefers to stay true to his films and become one with the audience and the story being told. Both directors
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is fully summarized in Shakespeare's prologue: "Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny where civil blood make civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star crossed lovers who take their life" (Universal, 1996). This movie is a masterful culmination of the director's phenomenal ability to create a powerful introduction, to select a realistic, but surreal setting, to choose realistic actors, and to enact specialized dramatic effects.
Would you rather know what really happened or just know about part of
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been modified numerous times and has been a source of inspiration for many playwrights and directors. Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann are examples of directors that use Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy as a basis for their films.
The light and dark imagery that Shakespeare uses in this passage describes Juliet as a young and eager lover. Romeo associates Juliet with light meaning goodness. Then Romeo says that Juliet looks like the excellent night. The night that Romeo speaks of represents Rosaline. Romeo basically says through with light and dark imagery, that Juliet is as good as Rosaline to love. Romeo then compares Juliet to a "winged messenger of heaven" who filled with lightness and goodness. He says that all humans look upon this kindness as the messenger "bestrides the lazy puffing clouds" while doing his errands. Romeo explains using this imagery that everyone looks at Juliet because she gives off a stunning and intricate outlook.
As all the stories begin to interconnect in some way, relationships are tested, created and broken apart.
The movie, “Romeo Must Die”, is an action packed drama that adapts William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” into a more modern perspective with a twist that deviates from the original plot. Han Sing, played by the actor Jet Li, resembles Romeo, where as Trish O’Day, played by the actress Aaliyah, resembles Juliet. Fate causes them to meet when Trish jumps into the taxi Han hi-jacks. As Han is in search of the person that killed his brother, he learns that Trish may have a connection and begins to pursue her.
The Dramatic Effects of Act 1 Scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet There are many components to Shakespeare’s classic ‘Romeo’. Juliet’, which mainly consists of love, hate and honour. This is the story of the incessant love of two young people, which crosses the borders of family and convention. It encompasses love, hate and tons of other things. of emotion, tragically ending with the harsh reality of death.