Romeo and Juliet (1966)

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Director:

Paul Czinner

Writers:

Kenneth MacMillan (ballet), William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, David Blair

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Margot Fonteyn	...	Juliet
Rudolf Nureyev	...	Romeo
David Blair	...	Mercutio
Desmond Doyle	...	Tybalt
Julia Farron	...	Lady Capulet
Michael Somes	...	Lord Capulet
Anthony Dowell	...	Benvolio
Derek Rencher	...	Paris
Leslie Edwards	...	Escalus
Georgina Parkinson	...	Rosaline
Gerd Larsen	...	The Nurse
Ronald Hynd	...	Friar Laurence
Christopher Newton	...	Lord Montague
Betty Kavanagh	...	Lady Montague
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Deanne Bergsma	...	Harlot

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

tragedy | love | ballet | shakespeare's romeo and juliet | based on play | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

6

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baletti Romeo ja Julia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Poetic Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Romeo and Juliet (2012)

User Reviews

Tres belle!

As close to beautiful as any ballet production can get. I love Prokoviev's ballet, and Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn for good reason are considered the quintessential ballet partnership of the 20th century at least. The costumes are colourful, never overdone or ugly, the lighting is wonderfully delicate and while a little more abstract than one would expect for Romeo and Juliet the sets don't detract from the quality of the performance at all. The orchestral playing brings out the humour, tension and pathos of the score and drama wonderfully, matched perfectly by the conducting. The choreography is incredibly intricate and made to look easy when it really isn't.

It is danced impeccably by all involved. Desmond Doyle is evil personified as Tybalt, while David Blair and especially Anthony Dowell are perfect as Mercutio and Benvolio. But what really makes this Romeo and Juliet so watchable and re-watchable is the peerless performances and partnership of Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. Nureyev's Romeo has sheer magnetism and a huge amount of charisma, dancing-wise not once does he put a foot wrong. Fonteyn gives a youthful and aching vulnerability to Juliet that is just heart-wrenching to watch.

Overall, a stunningly beautiful performance. You'd be hard pressed to find a performance of this ballet better than this one. 10/10 Bethany Cox