Romeo And Juliet [DVD] [1968]

very good item!

I saw this film for the first time 50 years ago and still think it’s the best screen version of Shakespeare. If you want a time travel into medieval Italy you must see it! To say nothing about the beauty of Juliet and Romeo themselves. Glorious!

I BLAME THE PARENTS - Seriously though..., Shakespeare's brilliance and genius in all its glory! I first saw this film when I was at school studying for my CSE exams, (oldies will remember those, you did them before the GCE;s, which were taken a couple of years later) it was part of the English curriculum along with the just as popular film "Love Story" at the time. The English teacher took about 8 of us girls to see both films at Leicester Square Odeon (it was 8 bob I think just to get in, so no sweets at that price) and she had sat next to me on this one and squeezed my hand when I started quietly blubbering towards the end. Thankfully Mum had insisted I take a cloth hanky with me, I thought she was bonkers at the time and then I realised she knew me well indeed. I remember, I was as engrossed and mesmerised then as I was again today. This film will keep you glued to the screen even though the style of language might leave you frustrated and wishing they'd just speak modern English and be done with it. Whilst I understood what was being said and meant right the way through, I had to use the subtitles to keep in step so to speak with what was going on on the screen. But don't let that put you off, the whole production, sound, picture, story etc is excellent, with superb acting throughout, there are really no other words for it. In my world this is a MUST BUY and I highly recommend.

SublimeShakespeare would be pleased

Poignant, operatic, and beautifully filmed, Zeffirelli's 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of the finest adaptations of Shakespeare's great love story. Though Zeffirelli's version has a traditional feel to it, with its timeless score, period setting, and exclusive use of Shakespeare's dialogue; the text retains only around a third of the actual speech of the play, and relies more on mood and effect than word. Though that element will not appeal to the purists, it isn't a hindrance, when the heartfelt, largely physical performances of the then-unknown leads Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whitling, are taken into account - and it tends to be the excess dialogue, as opposed to the play's finer and more integral lines, which are shelved by this version. The picturesque and beautifully framed cinematography, the film's performances as a whole (including a particularly excellent turn from Milo O'Shea as Romeo's father), and the overall feel of Zeffirelli's adaptation, mean that this is a film which holds up extremely well - and whilst there is a certain grandeur about this adaptation, it is not a film which ever feels forced, or over-the-top; with the exception of Pat Heywood's distracting, and mildly irritating turn as Juliet's Nurse.There are a few faults with the film. The battle between Tybald and Malvolio is poorly handled by Zeffirelli. The scene moves too quickly from a kind of banter, to the final climax, and the swordfight between the two feels rather archaic and unrealistic. In a film which sets up an entirely believable landscape, this integral scene, stands out as deeply mishandled. Equally, there is Pat Heywood's aforementioned performance as Nurse, one which frustratingly overbears Hussey's brilliantly measured portrait of Juliet, in the scenes which the two share; and the fact that Juliet's mother is portrayed slightly too much as a strict caricature - which takes away Shakespeare's possibility of deeper character, in her portrayal. Still, these few faults do not take away significantly from what is an entertaining, excellently staged, and often highly moving portrait of "the greatest love story ever told".

As above I have seen in at first Showing. It was Controversial then but more acceptable now. These were Innocents just like thousands of others Dipping their Toes in an Adventure. Just as an Expression of Life in many respects for Life.William Twigger

Thank God the recent scandal / debate brought this masterwork into the attention of the new generation - having been upgraded and downgraded by several versions. Zeffirelli fell from grace for his political views (anti-Semitism amongst them). But his artistry stand up proud.

Franco Zeffirelli produced a masterpiece with two very young, completely unknown actors. Every time I watch it I am enthralled by their professional interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. Brilliant. I have now downloaded it to my iPad so I can watch any time I wan.