Romeo and Juliet (1954)

In Shakespeare's classic play, the Montagues and Capulets, two families of Renaissance Italy, have hated each other for years, but the son of one family and the daughter of the other fall desperately in love and secretly marry.

Director:

Renato Castellani

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Renato Castellani (adaptation)

Stars:

Laurence Harvey, Susan Shentall, Flora Robson

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 8 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurence Harvey	...	Romeo
Susan Shentall	...	Juliet
Flora Robson	...	Nurse
Norman Wooland	...	Paris
Mervyn Johns	...	Friar Laurence
John Gielgud	...	Chorus
Bill Travers	...	Benvolio
Sebastian Cabot	...	Capulet
Lydia Sherwood	...	Lady Capulet
Ubaldo Zollo	...	Mercutio
Enzo Fiermonte	...	Tybalt
Giovanni Rota	...	Prince of Verona
Giulio Garbinetto	...	Montague
Nietta Zocchi	...	Lady Montague
Carla Diaz

Storyline

In Shakespeare's classic play, the Montagues and Capulets, two families of Renaissance Italy, have hated each other for years, but the son of one family and the daughter of the other fall desperately in love and secretly marry.

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Plot Keywords:

love | friendship | forbidden love | family disapproval | passion | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

25 November 1954 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Romeo und Julia

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Universalcine, Verona Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The famous Italian writer and playwright Ennio Flaiano plays a cameo role in the movie as Prince of Verona, and is listed in the credits under his real name (Giovanni Rota).

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Connections

Version of Romeo and Juliet (1968)

User Reviews

Lovely Production

This film version created by Renato Castellani is a beauty to behold.

In the picturesque settings of Siena, Padova, Verona and Venice, this romantic tale unfolds in glorious color.

While the character interpretations may appeal to a select number, I appreciate the total concept and the carrying out of that objective.

"Romeo" takes on a stylistic life of its own through Castellani, and for those willing to go on his journey, the rewards are great.

Mr. Harvey is interesting to see in an early role. As always, his work is very well thought out, and the aloofness which made him so right for callous young men in later modern roles, is intriguing here. Romeo now has a tinge of egotism and even femininity.

Well, why not? As there are dozens of ways to read a line, so there are many approaches to a character. There's nothing inherently sacrosanct in the role of Romeo, and Harvey interprets the way he (and Castellani) sees him, rather than according to some staid traditional model.

It's hard to believe this lovely production has not yet been transferred to video. Surely one day some enterprising company will take on this project and help preserve a very beautiful production for future generations to enjoy.