Romeo & Juliet (1968) [Blu-ray]

This is an excellent production of the classic play with the Shakespeare script delivered in period costume as intended. It is well acted by all the cast, with strong performances by both the two leads despite their young ages. Although the film is nearly 50 years old the production stands the test of time and the picture quality is still reasonable (this has obviously been produced in a widescreen format) and the dialogue is clear.I admit that when it comes to Shakespeare it like it presented as The Bard intended and as we have here (no leather jackets, no jeans and certainly no mumbling, please!). My daughter is currently studying R&J for her GCSE and it was great for her to see the play acted out in this format.

Brilliantly made movie by the great Franco Zeffirelli. I remember it from my schooldays, when my class was taken to the cinema to see it. I remember being slightly shocked (at the tender age of 13) by the naked body of Romeo with his love Juliet, though it was very well acted and directed, nothing sleezy about this version of the great Will Shakespeare's wonderful work. As with many films, there was a fair amount of fighting, which possibly went on a bit too long, but seeing it again all these years later, I believe it was justified. I was left in tears at the end, and it felt as though time had stood still, the emotion was still as strong as back in the 60s when I first saw it. Worth every penny!

When it comes to finding the best film adaptations of William Shakespeares iconic plays, I usually find the older the films are, the better they are, especially in regards to wearing the right period costumes which suit the dialogue. And I would place Franco Zeffirellis 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in my top 12 list of greatest Shakespeare film adaptations, along with As You Like It (1936), Henry V (1944), Othello (1951), Julius Caesar (1953), Richard Third (1955), Chimes At Midnight (1965), A Midsummer Nights Dream (1968), Hamlet (1969), King Lear (1971), Macbeth (1971), and The Tempest (1979)

The 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Italian Director Franco Zefirelli won loads of awards in its time and strays very little from the original play by William Shakespeare we believe was written between 1591-95. There is some debate as to whether Shakespeare had creative input from other people for his various works, but as far as we know Romeo and Juliet was written solely by Shakespeare.Franco Zefirelli's version starring an earlier Leonard to Leonardo Di Caprio (Leonard Whiting) and Olivia Hussey won awards for cinematography and costume and if you see it you'll appreciate why. Often studied at GCSE, Romeo and Juliet is a very popular film amongst teenagers with its tragic exploration of love between star cross'd lovers.Thom Yorke of Radiohead reportedly watched this film at aged thirteen and cried his eyes out, as he didn't understand why they didn't just run away before all the bad stuff started, probably good advice to any young Romeo and Juliet's out there, Wikipedia. His song Exit Music For a Film is inspired by Romeo and Juliet.With a young cast, Romeo and Juliet is funny. You will love the nurse and Romeo's friends and the humorous parts contrast effectively with the sad parts making them seem all the more real. This version is as good if not better than Baz Luhrman's, also available on Amazon and they both have phenomenal soundtracks, also on Amazon.Based in Verona in the original play I believe the film is filmed in Italy and Africa too. It is art in its purest form, a beautiful masterpiece everyone should see.

1968 school trip to local cinema where I first witnessed the beauty of this film. Its sublime in every way. Breathtaking costumes and sets, actors who embody the very essence of their characters. Still haunted by the faces of Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting “for i nare saw true beauty till this day”Zeffirelli a true geniusWatch it and be transported to another world.

Just as lovely as I remembered it 50 years ago, it has not dated at all. Such a beautiful performance by Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting,plus the supporting actors.I think this is one of the most moving and visibly stunning productions I have ever seen.

Although the two principal characters were not famous at the time under the brilliant hand of Franco Zeffirelli they act convincingly. The supporting cast is great with stars such as John McEnery, Michael York and Robert Stephens. The work is performed sensitively and the scenes are marvellous, showing that Zeffirelli is a master of his art. To enhance the pleasure the music is full of pathos and beauty.

The minute the DVD started I was transported back to the Odeon, Leicester Square, where I first saw this splendid film. Authentic settings and authentic acting, with Romeo and Juliet played by actors of about the right age - as Shakespeare intended. It is still a beautiful piece of work, and a riveting watch. The well-known music fits perfectly, and the whole is wonderfully topped and tailed by Laurence Olivier's beautifully spoken prologue and epilogue. Even if you don't much care for the Bard, I believe that you will love this version of the play.