The exceptional directing exhibited within the film comes from creating a Shakespeare play and portraying it how it was meant to be seen. For instance, Romeo waiting in a moon-lit, shadowy, backdrop and seeing Juliet from afar as she begins her famous "balcony scene" soliloquy ("O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?") demonstrates the serious intent of keeping this genuinely Shakespeare. As the scene progresses, we understand the burden placed on the "star-crossed" lovers who have begun an untimely and ill-conceived love affair.

Another positive is the superb job of casting actors. Leonard Whiting (Romeo) and Olivia Hussey (Juliet) not only have the appropriate look and age of the play's two main characters, but both personify the quality of "innocent young love." They seem to affirm the credibility of two ill-fated teens from opposing households who are caught between love for one another and the hatred between families. Other notables are Tybalt, as the hot-headed Capulet, Benvolio, as peacemaker, and Mercutio (who delivers a great Queen Mab speech), as the witty and funny friend of Romeo.

The most paramount moments of the play are left in the film. These include: the brawl scene between the two households, the Capulet's masque (where Romeo and Juliet meet), the balcany scene, the duel between Romeo and Tybalt, the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's rebellion from her parents, and the final climactic scene.

Because the story is told in accordance with the play, and uses realistic visual staging and costumes, it becomes a useful supplementary tool for educators and students (and anyone else interested in Shakespeare) who study this play. My personal experiences of using this in the classroom have been exceptional, especially using the film and book as a side-by-side comparisons of each other, and MOST of the students have enjoyed the film (some even more than the Leonardo DeCaprio version!).

Although the version is rated PG by 1968 standards, it would be a PG13 rating today due to brief nudity and a few suggestively crude scenes.

This movie, unlike many retelling of classics, doesn't try to advertise itself so much that it loses its potential. Rather, it lets the viewers create their own opinions and simply tells the story with sharp precision. With good reason, Zeffirelli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" is the criterion by which other versions of this play are compared.


THE BEST depiction of Shakespeare's tragic romance yet!   November 13, 1999
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Romeo And Juliet - No Ordinary Love Story...

Franco Zeffirelli's Oscar winning 1968 masterpiece was filmed in Italy (Verona, I believe though I'm not 100% sure of that). The film is rich in costume and scenery and the performers are simply extraordinary. Olivia Hussey (Death On The Nile; It; Psycho IV: The Beginning; etc.,) shines as sweet Juliet, Leonard Whiting's (Frankenstein: The True Story; The Legend Of Young Dick Turpin; Rachel's Man; etc.,) portrayal of young Romeo is unparralled and of course Michael York (Logan's Run; The Island Of Dr. Moreau; Austin Powers; etc.,) is outstanding as fiesty Tybalt. But the true shining star in this film is the delightful, Ms. Pat Heywood (Who Slew Auntie Roo?; Root Into Europe; etc.,) The Secret Garden; who steals the screen with each moment she graces it. She plays Juliet's Nurse and does so with such power, whimsy and conviction that you simply must love her. Pat Heywood gave the commonly droll Nurse character life and vibrance I have yet to see in a performance of this play live or filmed. The scene where she goes to the church to meet Romeo is absolutely side-splitting!

My sole complaint with this film was that there was a bit of trimming done to the original script. Some of the dialogue was cut down, but only true, hard-core Shakespeare fans would likely notice. You've tried the rest? Then watch the BEST!

Concerning the ages of the stars: I include this mainly as a side note, for it's been my experience that there is always some confusion, question and disagreement concerning the age of the young stars. Here is their birth information in hopes of settling any debates. Hussey was born April 17th 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Leonard Whiting was born June 30th 1950 in London, England, UK and Michael York was nearly ten years their senior (May 27th, 1942 - in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England, UK).

Not that it's ever been a debate -- as far as I know it hasn't -- but I do not know Ms. Heywood's birthday...Just for the record :)


Romeo and Juliet-The Story   January 19, 2001
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

The essence of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is magnificently captured in this 1968 rendition directed by Franco Zeffirelli. His decision to use teenagers in the starring roles verses older actors brings realism to the story. It is like a "breathe of fresh air." Leonard Whiting does an excellent job portraying Romeo. I especially enjoyed the Capulet ball scenes. Whiting (Romeo) enters the ball wearing a mask in order to conceal his identity. Fittingly, it is the mask of a cat. Throughout the scenes at the ball we see Romeo on the prowl. It seems as if he is playing a cat and mouse game with Juliet (Olivia Hussey) being the mouse. Once their eyes meet, he cannot let her out of his sight. He continues to maneuver to get closer and closer to her. He even makes some unsuccessful attempts to "catch" her as depicted in the dance scenes. However, this "cat" will not be denied, he persists until eventually he catches her and they share a tender kiss. Hussey also plays her role extremely well. At first she seems totally unaware of the "danger" she is in. She is like a beautiful gazelle totally unaware of the lion (Romeo) stalking her. Once her eyes meet his, her heart, like that of a frightened gazelle begins to pound rapidly. Her face gives the audience the impression that she is confused as to which course of action she should take "fight or flight." She decides "flight", but it is too late, she is already "caught" by his paralyzing gaze. Another phenomenal aspect of this series of scenes is the solo being sung while this "cat and mouse" game unfolds. A young man sings "Juliet's theme" magnificently. To me, this is far and away the highlight of the entire film. I had "goose bumps" throughout my entire body just listening to it. This theme was the thread that wove this film together like a great tapestry. It was used on no less than ten occasions, however, the singing of it was clearly the most powerful use of the song in the film. I will buy the soundtrack just for this version. The timing of this song was crucial to the film because it set the stage for what was to follow in the film. I have heard the tune many times in the before, however, I had never heard the lyrics before. I think the lyrics contributed as much if not more to the film than the melody. Pasulino De Santis won an Oscar for best cinematography and deservedly so. However, I feel that Nino Rota deserved an Oscar for the job extremely well done in the area of sound. This film is definitely a "classic". I wish that I had seen it sooner. It should be required viewing in school. I think that William Shakespeare himself would have enjoyed this rendition of one of his most famous works.