Rome and Juliet (1968)
Introduction
This is a British- Italian romance play that is based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet tragic play. It was directed and also co-written by Franco Zeffirelli. The movie is starred by Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting who act as Juliet and Romeo respectively. After carefully watching the movie, it is undoubtedly that it is a friendly, sensitive, and lovely play. Generally, the performance is classic since all the characters act as if they were the original characters in the original play.
In its classic speeches, any viewer will in fact start to worry about the diction and wish that the modern would recede as well as let Shakespeare play through. The choice of words used in the paly leaves the viewer both cheerful and emotional. For instance, the following words from Romeo makes everyone become emotional.
Romeo: “O,she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows.”
But the duels, the balls, and the scenes are beautifully thought out and performed that the things that I had not noticed at first that is, the puppy play character of duels become temporarily present, remote, and extraordinary. For the poetry and fine archaic dignity of Juliet and Romeo, this epic story could actually be taking place on the next door. I feel that it is among the sweetest and contemporary romance plays in this era as portrayed by the following quotes from Juliet and Romeo.
Juliet: “Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
Romeo: “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a gentle kiss.”
In addition, the fine and unanachronistic songs by Eugene Walter and Nino Rota, and scenes so social, human, and derived from the Italian and Dutch painting schools is a delight to watch, if not quite to pin our ears back to. Juliet and Romeo, when racked with moans, go on too long, essentially since the crying appears like it is forced. Heywood, as the nurse, looks too cold, bawdy, and almost frightening; in how Disney movies characters swiftly become supernatural and haunt the dreams of the children. Conversely, these were Zeffirellis’s conscious choices. This together with others makes every viewer come to an agreement with what Zeffirelli does.
