Romeo and Juliet (1968)

When two young members of feuding 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 14 wins & 15 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
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

Against the backdrop of a venomous feud between the powerful clans of the Montagues and the Capulets in the medieval city of Verona, William Shakespeare's eternal story of teenage love unfolds. As youth's insolence arms the charming young Montague, Romeo, with dauntless courage to come uninvited to the Capulets' scintillating masked ball, a brief but thrilling encounter with the delicate dark-haired Capulet, Juliet, will pave the way for an ardent passion and a cruel romantic tragedy. Before God, the star-crossed lovers have sworn never-ending devotion despite their perilous plight; however, before the grim machinations of fate, man stands powerless. Are Romeo and Juliet destined to be together?

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Plot Keywords:

love | forbidden love | tragedy | ends with funeral | brawl | 

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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 French

Release Date:

8 October 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Filming Locations:

Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,292

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

This movie is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

When Benvolio sees Romeo and tries to find out what ails him, he sits down and feigns to read a book. However, the book had hitherto been strapped with a thread. The time to undo the thread and sit down as if reading is too short.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Two households, both alike in dignity In fair Verona where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life Whose misadventured piteous overthrows do with their deaths bury their parents' strife.

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Alternate Versions

In the film's original release, and on DVD, the "End Titles" music continues playing on a black screen after the closing credits have ended, much as "Exit Music" used to do in roadshow releases of films. As currently (2009) shown on cable TV, however, there is an edit on the soundtrack (not on the picture) during the closing credits, so that the music ends exactly at the same time that the visual portion of the film does.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Movies About Young Love (2018)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A lovely rendering of Shakespeare

Truly one of the best films ever created of Shakespeare's plays. While in today's MTV - short attention span world this film may seem boring, in 1968 this film was revolutionary (I am not prejudice since I am in the MTV generation). Until this time R&J had been played by much older actors, since it was assumed they could understand Shakespeare's language. In 1968, Franco Z. gives us actors the actual age of Shakespeare's lead characters and they can act. Add to that stunning sets, costumes and music, the result is a moving artistic creation. The performances are superb, my personal favorites being Michael York's Tybalt and Milo O'Shea's the Friar. The language can be difficult and the action plotting, but one has to have patience when devoting attention to Shakespeare's plays, acted or read. Enjoy!