Inspirations - Romeo & Juliet (1968)
I think the first time I saw this film was back in Drama class is high school, its stuck with me ever since as the only screen adaption of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that really evokes the beauty of the play. I’ve even seen R&J on stage a couple of times and the performances were nothing to this. Since I am watching the Romeo x Juliet anime at the moment I decided to revisit this movie, and fell in love with it all over again.
Filmed in Italy, the streetscapes and stone buildings that form the backdrop to the story feel very authentic, the costuming is beautiful. Rich reds and golds for the Capulets, dark blues and antique silver for the Montagues. It is renaissance in style, with intricate beaded headdresses and slashed sleeves. I love the rich heavy fabrics and warmth of both the costumes and setting, it really captures the feel of both Shakespeare’s time and sunny Italy.
I found the casting superb. Mercutio, in his black humour is perfectly irritating but at the same time invokes pity as his followers still think it a joke even as he lays dying. The heads of both houses are an interesting contrast, the Capulets being loud and fiery and the Montagues more reserved and calm. Of course, it was the casting of two young unknown actors as the starcrossed lovers that really made this film what it is. They are untrained, and their performances so natural that you can’t help but believe in their plight. Juliet laughes like a child and Romeo cries like a young boy, they are both so hopelessly beautiful. Olivia Hussey (Juliet) who was 17 when she played this role, has the most enchanting eyes I’ve ever seen.
My lasting memory of this film, however, is always the theme song ‘What is a Youth’ performed by Nino Rota. It just echoes the tragedy and beauty of the tale and the refrain from it is played throughout the film. One of the most moving Shakespeare film adaptions of all time, you haven’t seen Romeo & Juliet until you’ve seen this movie.
Welcome to the Princess Portal, a blog about finding your inner princess and living every day with beauty, grace and a sense of childlike wonder. This is both my diary and a way of sharing my writings on the Princess lifestyle. Please feel free to comment on anything that interests you! I'd love to hear from you ♥
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
We had to do a comparative study on three Romeo and Juliet film adaptations at school last year, and I absolutely loved this! ^^ Thank you so much for reviewing it!
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
We watched this movie in class and I loved it, much much more then the Leonardo DeCaprio version or West Side Story.
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 am
I love the Romeo and Juliet movie (with Leonardo DiCaprio). It’s very romantic. Your blog are very cute and kawaii.
Congratulations! ^_^
Pinkisses for you ~
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 am
I really don’t like the play Romeo and Juliet, but I do love the way that movie was made. It was so beautiful, my cynicism over the story itself was forgotten.
Its the one of two ways that I accept watching Romeo and Juliet ever. The other is the French musical which I adore. It’s kind of pop/rock/opera. I love the musical so much I have it downloaded on my computer.