A Classic Retelling of Shakespeare's Love Story
Taking place in medieval Veron, ‘Romeo and Juliet follows the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet bound by destiny but torn apart by the bitter rivalry of their families. Their love rises from the hostile environment but it is quelled by a bitter blood feud between the two families where relationships are powerless against the blood-thirsty sentiments of the elders.
Watch how themes of love between relatives are generationsける by themes of impulsiveness of young people and generationsেr is overwhelmed by themes of hatred between the two rival families. Young and vivid mood of the adolescents is intertwined with dark feelings of predestination that lies over the heroes The main actors, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, looked quite convincing and in touch with their characters – Romeo and Juliet. Still, young and energetic cast makes love story credible and believable, and chemistry between characters is undeniable – people easily empathize and get fascinated. The supporting characters contribute to the same fashion in enrichening Shakespeare and providing the characters a realistic portrayal.
Overall, this is a great and very beautiful picture made by Franco Zeffirelli, who managed to turn Shakespeare’s vision into a splendid cinematographic vision. Zeffirelli filmed all of the dialogue of the play, the playfulness of the conversations, and the sadness of pauses, and managed to remain loyal to the poetic words of Shakespeare at the same time.
The music by Nino Rota is so moving that makes the audience experience even deeper emotions while watching the film. The music complements the movie story, both romantic and wistful; and the director of the cinematography, Pasqualino De Santis wires the beauty of the countryside views of Verona where the movie was shot in the same style as paintings. The frames are set with utmost precision to amplify the opulence and at the same time a more personal feel to some of the scenes in the story.
The production has very well depicted the medieval theme appealing to the audience with richness as well as hostility of the Montagues and Capulets. Even where ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is less reliant on massive spectacle, it has good practical effects and smooth fight sequences which add to the visual story telling. There are no flaws in the pacing here; the external plot is as impassioned as the two main characters, as well as the pauses that make the audience realize the impending tragedy. This rhythm reduces the emoitional charge but in turns makes the tragic story even more appealing.
All the conversations are in Shakespeare’s style, true to the play, and helps to add music to the movie. Both the male and the female actors deliver their lines straightforwardly with no dramatic overtones, thus rendering Shakespeare’s prose comprehensible for viewers while retaining the poetic word choices.
The general impression of theatricality overshadows Zeffirelli’s effort to remain loyal to the play, which, at times, hampers his film: at one point or another, point, the movie seems to lag beneath the weight of its theatrical adaptation. Some people can be touched by the themes of young love and perceive it too romanticistic.
’Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the most romantically themed films released in 1968 and with good reason: it faithfully recreates Shakespeare’s play about love and tragedy. The visual style of the movie in connection with the intensity of actors’ performance creates an unforgettable feeling of sadness and memories of childhood.
