Romeo and Juliet

19681968
PGPG
2h 18min

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Home Video Trailer from Paramount Home Entertainment

When two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.When two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.When two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.When two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.When two young members of feuding families meet, forbidden love ensues.

Director
- Franco Zeffirelli
Writers
- William Shakespeare(play)
- Franco Brusati(screenplay)
- Masolino D'Amico(screenplay)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

Won 2 Oscars
- 16 wins & 15 nominations total

Videos3

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Featurette 2:50

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Featurette 3:13

Romeo and Juliet

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Michael York, John McEnery, and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Milo O'Shea and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Michael York and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)

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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? —Nick Riganas

forbidden love tragedy family feud star crossed lovers shakespeare play 88 more

Taglines
- The 1968 Royal Film Performance [UK Theatrical]
Genres
- Drama
- Romance
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- PG
Parents guide

Trivia
A rumor surrounding this movie was that Olivia Hussey was really Franco Zeffirelli's daughter. Not true, of course. Zeffirelli initially turned Hussey down for the role of Juliet, thinking her overweight. The actress he did choose cut her hair just before filming, ruining the effect she had on Zeffirelli. Hussey came in for another reading but by this time had developed into a beautiful teenager. She got the part.

Goofs
When Romeo and Juliet's bodies are laid out in front of the ruler, Romeo takes a deep breath.

Quotes
Juliet: Yea, noise! Then I'll be brief. Oh, happy dagger, this is thy sheath; there rust and let me die.

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.

Connections
Edited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

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

Top review

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!

helpful•69

12

casey-99
Nov 9, 2004

Release date
- October 8, 1968 (United States)
Countries of origin
- United Kingdom
- Italy
Languages
- English
- French
Also known as
- William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Filming locations
- Lazio, Italy
Production companies
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $850,000 (estimated)
Gross worldwide
- $6,292

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 18min
Sound mix
- Mono
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

‘Romeo & Juliet’: Two Productions, Both Alike in Shifting How We See and Hear Shakespeare

‘Romeo & Juliet’: Two Productions, Both Alike in Shifting How We See and Hear Shakespeare

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