Romeo and Juliet (1968)

When the now famous "star crossed lovers" of two enemy families meet, forbidden love ensues.

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Franco Brusati (screenplay),

Stars:

Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery

Won 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonard Whiting	...	Romeo
Olivia Hussey	...	Juliet
John McEnery	...	Mercutio
Milo O'Shea	...	Friar Laurence
Pat Heywood	...	The Nurse
Robert Stephens	...	The Prince of Verona
Michael York	...	Tybalt
Bruce Robinson	...	Benvolio
Paul Hardwick	...	Lord Capulet
Natasha Parry	...	Lady Capulet
Antonio Pierfederici	...	Lord Montague
Esmeralda Ruspoli	...	Lady Montague
Roberto Bisacco	...	Lord Paris
Roy Holder	...	Peter
Keith Skinner	...	Balthazar

Storyline

Shakespeare's classic tale of romance and tragedy. Two families of Verona, the Montagues and the Capulets, have been feuding with each other for years. Young Romeo Montague goes out with his friends to make trouble at a party the Capulets are hosting, but while there he spies the Capulet's daughter Juliet, and falls hopelessly in love with her. She returns his affections, but they both know that their families will never allow them to follow their hearts.

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Plot Keywords:

love | forbidden love | tragedy | teen angst | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

The 1968 Royal Film Performance [UK Theatrical]

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Filming Locations:

Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

$42,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BHE Films, Verona Produzione, Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min 149 min (initial release)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Laurence Olivier agreed to play the uncredited role of the narrator because he was so impressed with Zeffirelli's work for the National Theatre of Great Britain, of which Olivier was director at the time. Not only was Olivier the narrator, but he reportedly lent his voice to other anonymous characters. He did it all for the love of William Shakespeare and didn't accept any payment.

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Goofs

During the close-up of Juliet in the scene where the Capulets find Juliet "dead" in her bedchamber, she is visibly breathing.

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Quotes

Gregory: Do you quarrel , Sir?
Abraham: Quarrel, Sir? No, Sir.

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Connections

Featured in Much Ado About Something (2001)

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Soundtracks

"What Is Youth?"
Music by Nino Rota
Lyric by Eugene Walter
Vocal by Glen Weston

User Reviews

Definitive screen adaptation of R & J

This is a gorgeous film, and the best adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tear-jerker. All the performances are spot-on. Even though the film was released in 1968, it still rings true. It was filmed on location in Italy, and the sets/costumes really amazing. Zefferelli's (sp?)direction is probably his best. John McHenry, Leonard Whiting as and Olivia Hussey are wonderful. I believe Michael York of Austin Powers' fame made his screen debut in the role of Tybalt. This movie is a must-see for aspiring actors. The cast is more even than the Di Caprio/Luhrman/Danes more recent (and more well-known) histrionic, violent version. (The ridiculous accents in that picture really put me off.) I don't know if it's available on DVD.