Romeo and Juliet Movie Reviews

Romeo and Juliet is arguably the classic romantic story of all time. Read reviews of Zeffirelli’s 1968 and Luhrmann’s 1996 movie versions of Romeo & Juliet below.

Romeo and Juliet Movie 1968: Franco Zeffirelli

 Romeo and Juliet on the balcony in Zeffirelli’s 1968 Romeo and Juliet movie

Zeffirelli’s 1968 Romeo and Juliet won Acadamy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design; it was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture.  When it first came out it was a revelation. School students were able to identify more fully with the play and its characters than ever before.

For the first time, the ‘star crossed’ lovers were genuine teenagers. They were selected by Zeffirelli, not for their proven acting ability but swept out of their schools because he thought they looked right for the roles as he envisioned them. Read full review >>

Romeo and Juliet Movie 1996: Baz Luhrmann

 Claire Danes and Leonardo Di Caprio in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 Romeo and Juliet movie

Although Lurmann’s 1996 Romeo & Juliet is the familiar timeless story of the ‘star crossed’ lovers it’s updated to a modern Veronese suburb – Verona Beach – where the teenage members of the Montague and Capulet families carry guns, and when the trouble starts they shoot at each other without restraint. The film retains the original Shakespeare dialogue but the text is pruned and the story is told mainly through vivid and exciting cinematic images.

Shakespeare’s plays have a timeless quality and have been comfortably interpreted by four hundred years of producers and actors to present them as relevant to their time and the fashions of the time. Read full review >>

See reviews of Macbeth movies >>

See Shakespeare in Love movie review >>

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