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The brilliance of Shakespeare, the beauty of Olivia Hussey, and the awesome directorial prowess of Franco Zeffirelli combine in this motion picture to give us a remarkable masterpiece of cinema. Filmed entirely on location in picturesque Italy, with very young then unknowns playing the leads and carpeted generously throughout with an inspired supporting cast such as Milo O Shea as the good Friar Lawrence and John McEnery, as the verbose Mercutio. Tragic, young love-at-first sight as its theme, a dazzling debut performances by Olivia Hussey (quite possibly the most beautiful creature on earth at the time), and a seriously passionate Romeo, deftly portrayed by a 17-year old Leonard Whiting are but some of the ingredients that make for a truly memorable retelling of this most romantic of tales. This popular film garnered four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director and took Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Costumes. This DVD has my highest recommendation for its exceptional combination of cultural and entertainment value.Read full review
Very good quality dvd for a movie from 1968.I am happy.Director Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release (successfully, if the box-office receipts are any indication), as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long-standing tradition of casting over-aged, sometimes grey-haired players in the title roles. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo, with 15-year-old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works beautifully in the more passionate sequences (some of these breaking further ground by being played in the nude). Among the younger players are Michael York as Tybalt and John McEnery as Mercutio. The duel between Romeo and Tybalt starts out as a harmless, frat-boy exchange of insults, then escalates into tragedy before any of the participants are fully aware of what has happened. Photographed by Pasqualino DeSantis on various locations in Italy, Romeo and Juliet was one of the most profitable film adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced.Read full review
This version from 1968 directed by Franco Zeffirelli features authentic settings and wonderful costumes. While this version adds some elements to the story (A fascinating dance sequence when Romeo and Juliet meet including a scene which features the late sixties radio hit "Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet", and an extended fight scene between Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo, hints of discord between Lord and Lady Capulet) and deletes some others (scenes of comic relief, and shortening of some speeches,discoveries at the tomb), this version adheres wonderfully to the spirit of Shakepeare's work. A note to educators who might use this and have not previewed this film, the morning-after scene in Juliet's chamber contains brief nudity which may be inappropriate in the classroom. We use an edited version here in west central Pennsylvania.Read full review
OLIVIA HUSSEY DESERVED MORE GOOD ROLES THAN SHE EVER GOT. SHE IS MUCH BETTER THAN MOST ACTRESSES OF TODAY. LEONARD WHITING WAS EXCELLENT AS ROMEO & I ENJOYED MICHAEL YORKS YOUNG FACE, HE WAS GREAT EVEN AT THAT AGE. OLIVIA HUSSEY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT DINO MARTIN SAW HER IN THIS MOVIE & TOOK A FLIGHT TO MEET MS. HUSSEY & THEY MARRIED. DINO MARTIN LATER MARRIED DOROTHY HAMMIL THE FAMOUS SKATER. UNFORTUNATELY DINO WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH AT A YOUNG AGE. BUT THIS MOVIE IS THE ONLY ROMEO & JULIET I PLAN TO EVER PURCHASE.
My title says it all. This is a classic, and has been used in classrooms across the country to study Shakespeare's timeless story. This version won an academy award for costume back in 1968. Plus the lead actors are gorgeous!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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