Romeo and Juliet

[happyfilmluvguy]

William Shakesphere's classic story of love and death, Romeo and Juilet has been tried in the motion picture many, many times. The rendition I have always enjoyed was the one from 1968 with Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey and Michael York, among others. What was yours?

 

[Harp]

R&J set in Venice Beach, CA--Brian Dennehey led cast as patriarch.
Surf n'Turf Shakespeareanimprov; a sort of Stratford-upon Avon Beach
approach--but it is good, real good.

fftopic: Current academe pursuit of Bacon-as-Bard is ridiculous.
Me thinks the most capricious zephyr hath more direction
than these Ivory Tower captives...

 

[Novella]

R&J set in Venice Beach, CA--Brian Dennehey led cast as patriarch.
Surf n'Turf Shakespeareanimprov; a sort of Stratford-upon Avon Beach
approach--but it is good, real good.

My vote goes for this one too.

 

[Doctor Strange]

There are lots of good versions, but I will also always love the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version best! (Maybe because I saw in a theater during its original release when I was 13? Nah, I think its quality transcends mere nostalgia... it simply remains the outstanding "straight" - as in without gimmicks like changing the time/place - adaptation.)

 

[Feraud]

R&J set in Venice Beach, CA--Brian Dennehey led cast as patriarch.
Surf n'Turf Shakespeareanimprov; a sort of Stratford-upon Avon Beach
approach--but it is good, real good.

oooh, I found this one hard to watch! I can appreciate Luhrmann's sense of odd style but I tried to sit through his version of Romeo and Juliet two times and found it unwatchable.
Perhaps it was Mercutio in drag played by Harold Perrineau (Michael) from Lost?

 

[Harp]

oooh, I found this one hard to watch! I can appreciate Luhrmann's sense of odd style...

Bard-on-Venice Beach:

Like as the waves make towards the pibbled shore...
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
--Sonnet 60

Admittedly, this particular adaption is unique, but I thought
the overall production superb.

 

[CanadaDoll]

For high school English we watched and compared one that was filmed in the early 70's, I forget the director, and the more modern one with Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, I think Baz Luhrmann directed it, and I was disappointed with both.
The older one had a big emphasis on the sexual side of their romance, while the modern one had a huge emphasis on the violence. Since then I'll only read it, I don't like watching it much anymore.

 

[CharlieH.]

The only film version of Romeo and Juliet I've been able to stomach in its entirety is this one.
Never been a big fan of The Bard...

 

[CanadaDoll]

lol lol lol That was fun! Thanks for postin it Charlie!

 

[CharlieH.]

Yer welcome, toots.

 

[CanadaDoll]

How is it that you can make me laugh, even when I'm in the worst moods? Are you a comedian or somethin'?

 

[CharlieH.]

Weeeell, I always have my nose stuck in some funny business.

 

[CanadaDoll]

So not a comedian then.....just trouble!

 

[CharlieH.]

You have no idea....

 

[CanadaDoll]

Oh I think I do......

 

[CharlieH.]

Ah, wise gal, huh?

 

[CanadaDoll]

This time YOU have no idea...

 

[HadleyH]

The only film version of Romeo and Juliet I've been able to stomach in its entirety is this one.
.

Yes!!!!! I also like that one. I think it was a number from "Hollywood Revue of 1929", with John Gilbert and Norma Shearer (wow!).
fftopic: when I talk about color in old movies, that's exactly what I mean ,everything faded and nostalgic...

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Thanks CharlieH for the site. That was interesting.

I guess my favorite R&J was the 1968 Zefrelli, it was full of life, well acted, beautifully filmed, and I liked it that the leading characters were actually quite young -- I believe Ms. Hussey was only 15 at the time, which is probably the age (or younger) that Juliet actually would have been.

Oddly, I have never seen it on the stage.


karol

 

[CanadaDoll]

From what I've heard her character is supposed to be 13 while his is 20-21 ish.
I don't know for sure though.