How Baz Luhrmann's Interpretation of the Prologue Engages the Audience's Attention and Makes them Want to Watch the Rest of the Film

How Baz Luhrmann's Interpretation of the Prologue Engages the Audience's Attention and Makes them Want to Watch the Rest of the Film

How is it that after watching the opening sequence to Baz Luhrmann’s

Romeo and Juliet film (properly titled William Shakespeare’s Romeo and

Juliet) about twenty times, the exhilarating thrill I experience from

it still has not faded out?

To grab the attention of the viewers and keep their eyes glued to the

screen as the movie starts, the director uses a variety of special

techniques, also to make it clear to the audience that this film is a

far cry from the original dullness associated with Shakespeare play

recreations.

Firstly, the range of music; the booming dramatic opera music, which

is played during the narrative as the film starts; the joyful rock

music introducing Benvolio and the other Montagues; and the wicked

western type music used to show Tybalt’s notoriety. Secondly, the

visual imagery; certain ways the camera manoeuvres to match the

atmosphere Luhrmann is trying to create. For example, there is a lot

of fast editing and zooming in at scenes of crime and violence to

generate a sense of rush in the atmosphere and make it unsettling. In

addition, to indicate that the film is a modernised version of the

play, there are objects and other factors, which did not exist

three-four hundred years ago - one being the television news report.

Baz Luhrmann mindfully uses a TV news report to increase the

seriousness of the Romeo and Juliet film opening sequence and to bring

it into the twentieth century. As the camera zooms into the flickering

TV, the audience realise that this is not just another te...

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...refore, it is not only the

montage, but also the roundabout of constant camera jerks, which make

this scene so fast paced and upbeat. The importance of casting was

well recognised during the production of this movie. The main actors

of the cast were Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo), Clare Danes (Juliet), John

Leguizamo (Tybalt), Harold Perrineau (Mercutio), Dash Mihok (Benvolio)

– all popular young actors and actors. The attributes the characters

possess were shown through the high quality acting. I would definitely

recommend this film to others. The mis-en-scene is one of the best I

have ever seen. As a producer and a director, Baz Luhrmann managed to

pump new life into this well known much adapted tale, in an

exceptionally unique style, which will be regarded as a classic

timeless piece of cinematography for years to come.