Romeo And Juliet (DVD 2003)

This has to be in my book, the definitive version of Romeo and Juliet outside of the theatre. Released to cinema in the late sixties.. I remember well being taken to the local cinema on a school outing to see it, and that one girl in my class was led away quite overcome with tears at the end! I also remember a distant crush on Leonard Whiting and the posters taken from 'Jackie' magazine all over my bedroom wall.
Cinamographically it does have a dated feel. However, this is an imminently watchable, easily understandable version of this popular Shakespearian play.
Good performances by Hussey and Whiting, although possibly slightly overacted and melodramtic in places, and also from Michael York and Milo O'Shea.
Far less sophisticated than the modern version, it does have a charm and is an easy way to get your head around the characters, dialogue and plot than the way they teach you at school.
Oh yes... one of the songs! Remember that ghastly afternoon radio thing with some DJ (Dave Lee Travis???) reading out heart rending 'true life' stories regarding pregnant deserted mothers who try to commit suicide, but live, only to find their dogs have been run over by a herd of widerbeest sweeping majestically over the plain... you know the sort of thing??? Well.. my point is... that sloppy piece of music they always played in the background... is in this film.
Phew! Why use 10 words when 100 will do? And yes.. I WAS immunised with a phonograph needle!!!! ;)
Enjoy!
friedcarp :)

I first saw this film while studying the play for O level English in the Seventies and thought it to be one of the most lovely films I had ever seen, the Shakespear side of things completely forgotten in the red hot lust for Michael York, little did we know then that we were barking up the wrong tree there!

The music remained in my head for years to be resurected when it became a theme tune for Simon Bates and the little stories he used to read out at 10.15 each morning ( our tune ? )

30 years later I caught 10 minutes of it on tv with my daughter who was equally entranced, so Father Christmas will be bringing her a copy this year.

I have never seen the Leonardo di Caprio version for the very reason that I loved this one so much, I fear nothing would live up to such a perfect telling of the story.

I AM A FAN OF THAT MOVIE MADE ME FEEL LIKE THERE IS STILL HOPE TO LIVE LOVE FOR REAL. It stimulated some parts of me. It's just a piece of art

I bought it because it is yet another version of this old tale. and my son was doing drama at school and this was his test subject. the CD helped him explore more than one version of Romeo And Juliet and to be able to do a written and verble test in Drama successfully.

The Zefferelli version is 'old' but applies the classic approach to Shakespeare's play. It is pretty true to the text and therefore an excellent help to those students who are new to Shakespeare and who need to hear and understand the meaning of the words. There is a 'marmite' song during the party at which the lovers meet, 'What is Youth . .' - you either love it or hate it. The innocence of the lovers is well portrayed - it is a pity that sometimes Juliet's diction is not as clear as it might be.

I bought this because it's a brilliant production of a well known Shakespeare play - fantastically brought to the silver screen by the genius of Zeffirelli. True to the writing throughout, the main characters are sensitively & realistically portrayed by the unknown (at that time) cast. Location is beautiful & befitting of the story. It's a triumph of screen production & a wonderful watch for any viewer whether studying Shakespeare or not. I have seen this film a few times over the years & am pleased to have this in my collection.