Techniques Used to Direct Two Film Versions of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Techniques Used to Direct Two Film Versions of William Shakespeare's 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. These methods and different interpretations are very

obvious if you should study the same scene as portrayed in each film.

We looked at the introduction and the opening scene of each film to

compare the differences between them and found that the differences,

though some were more subtle than others, were obvious. Whilst Franco

Zeffirelli's adaptation uses far more traditional techniques, Baz

Luhrmann used a far more modern approach to the production of the

classic play.

Zeffirelli's film uses the original concept of the film; it sticks to

the original setting and structure of the play, keeping the

originality at a maximum. Whilst Luhrmann uses a modern concept so

that it is easier for the viewer to relate, for example, the setting

of Luhrmann's film is in America, Zeffirelli sets his interpretation

in Verona, Italy, where the original play was set. This can help the

viewer to relate to the characters and setting. Because Luhrmann

modernised the play, he also set it in the present day, again, moving

away from Shakespeare's original script which was set in the 14th

Century, the time which Zefferelli chose to set his interpretation.

Although Luhrmann modernised his version considerably, he chose to use

the language that Zefferelli used in his film, the original script of

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expensive, valuable possessions like cars and guns whilst the Capulets

had a much more average look about them. I think this failed him in a

sense because Zeffirelli tried to show that both families were of the

same importance yet Luhrmann made it seem as though the Montagues were

in a much higher position socially.

In conclusion, the two films, although both based on Shakespeare's

Romeo and Juliet, use extremely different techniques (modernisation,

traditionalism, etc) to portray different adaptations of the play.

These effects could change the direction of the film completely; does

the end result still have the same plot as Shakespeare's original

concept? Both interpretations are unique and effective in their own

way, managing to draw the audience into their own adaptation of the

classic tragedy perfectly.