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Rating:  - Beautifully Casted, Adept Cinematography, Soundtrack Moving and the words wonderfully rendered
It is written somewhere, possibly Homer or Plato, (possibly Oscar Wilde) that Poets are in-love with love, that is to say, the "Ideal of LOVE"... because the truly moving love poems, plays and stories that have been penned over the last 500 years, have something in common: most begin with so much passion; as in all good tales, there is a major conflict, but the Love is Real, ending in tragedy and tears. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is one such tale.
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
- William Shakespeare
Sonnet CXVI
This is true romance and love from the depths of the soul - true love is unmoved...through out time.
The Sonnets are most likely the most heart-felt lines about Love and Devotion ever written.
My point is Romeo and Juliet expresses this Love without any political agenda - though finally ending the violent feud between the Montegues and the Capulets.
Olivia Hussey as Juliet gives us a unique and star performance. Not only because of her great beauty, but her understanding of the role.
The famous line: "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo", was delivered not like any other rendition of this play. See the balconey scene in this film and you will catch the nuances, and the actor's skill.
Leonardo Whiting is also a striking fellow and played Romeo in the midst of that "Love Spell" (adolescent) with the innocence and honesty the role deserves.
Michael York as Tybalt, revealed the passion, aggression and focus the role requires, and once Romeo kills him, acts out a wonderful "death scene", a great performance!
The soundtrack by Nino Rota, "What is Youth", added the necessary feeling to this classic Love Story.
A memorable piece.
This is the best film interpretation of the play and a classic love story that spawned Shakespeare's beautiful Sonnets.
A film to own and enjoy about the wonder of 'adolescent love'; that it still exists, is quite real and will continue its innocence and purity to the end of time.
Rating:  - Romeo & Juliet DVD
After having shown the VHS version to my students for years, I finally bought the DVD to show via projector. What a difference it makes to have the subtitles! Very happy with my purchase.
Rating: - Artistry that will touch your heart
I do not use the term "Masterpiece" lightly. So when I attach that title to Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet please believe that it is heartfelt. I first saw this film upon it's release in 1968. I was 15. Shakespearian productions held little interest for me. The language was strange and from what I'd seen the acting seemed stiff. But after seeing the trailer I was intrigued. Perhaps it was the youthful players or the exciting action. For whatever reason I anticipated Rome & Juliet's release. I even found a paperback edition of the complete works of the Shakespeare and read the play, struggling to understand Elizabethan English but I finally succeeded. When the day of the film premiered in my town I eagerly attended. During the following two and a third hours I felt such emotion radiating from the audience and myself that I sat captivated. The costumes, beautiful soundtrack and sets made me feel as if I was haunting Verona's streets and allies. As the film ended sniffles and sobs accompanied the credits. Most left before the 2nd feature began. I sat, not wanting to exit into the real world until my cheeks dried. When I finally walked into the Sun I returned much richer for the experience. Romeo & Juliet led me to timeless classics and gave me an escape from the realities of 1968. So impressed was I that English and Elizabethan Literature became my major two years later when I entered College. Even today, four decades from that tumultuous time I watch this Masterpiece with moist eyes, my breath falters and if I try to speak my voice catches. "Because never has there been a tale of such woe as that of Juliet and her Romeo." Thank you Master Shakespeare and Sr Zeffirelli. Your artistry touched my heart.
Rating: - Romance Explosion
This is one of the finest performances of Romeo and Juliet on film. These youthful actors embody the spirit of Shakespeare's young lovers!
Rating: - Zeferelli's Romeo and Juliet DVD
The DVD was of high grade and quality. The color, picture and sound were of high quality as well.
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