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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song 'What Is a Youth', sung by Glen Weston at the masquerade ball, was originally to be sung by Leonard Whiting. He later recorded his own version of it.

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Goofs

Towards the start of the movie, a man is having his arm bandaged. As soon as the piece of narrative for the character stops, she just leaves it not tucking it in in any way at all and he gets up as if she had finished, leaving bandage just hanging to unravel as he stands up.

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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

The "Intermission" title card, unseen in the U.S. since the film's original 1968 roadshow release, is restored to the DVD.

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Connections

Version of Merry Madagascar (2009)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

freshness

its freshness. it has the difference by another adaptations. it impose the vision of Zeffireli to be not only seductive but realistic. each detail, each scene, the song, the tension, the atmosphere, all is Shakespeare. sure, the director has experience in opera. sure, the mark of Zeffirelli is the axis of the success. but it is only a part from the force of film. the fragility of gestures, the feelings of an one age, the beauty of words who becomes the words of the viewer not exactly the lines of characters, the state of soul, all, each are the key of a memorable discover of the play. something soft and with the status of personal memory transforms Romeo and Juliet in personal experience of the public. and that is one motif for admire it.

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:

1.85 : 1