Customer Reviews
Romeo and Juliet 
2008-10-06
The acting in this film is wonderful. The drama lines are delivered as one would expect, with class. The action scenes are played out well, though there was no as much blood as a sword thrust to the heart might actually cause, but this is family television. It is a very good introduction to Shakespeare, and the cast all realizes they are first and foremost Shakespearian actors.
This version far surpasses any other production of Romeo and Juliet. The veiwer gets the sense of the frustration, the romance, the hopes that hings might change, and the let down of realizing the tragedy involved in this in inevitable. Love conquers hearts but it can't change other people's attitudes towards something as personal as a blood feud. This movie hits home the depth of Shakespeare's stage play and is one of the better movies of the 1960s.
Romeo & Juliet 
2008-08-12
Great classic and still good today. Just wish they could have improved the sound when they put it on DVD. Still worth it though. Thanks for the good price.
Romeo & Julliette 
2008-08-01
I saw this when I was about 12 or 13 in school for English literature class. I was so moved and touched by it's beauty and the loveliness of the main actors. I have never seen it again despite looking for it. so, when I saw it was for sale I had to own it to show it to my son who is approaching 12 years now.
i love this movie! 2008-07-13
i own the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet, but i felt like watching this 1968 version. so i got it and let me just say i love this one! it is the best version i think ever made of the famous play. (and i love Leo Dicaprio) so for me to say this is amazing! i loved it so much i watched it about five times since i got it! five stars!
Cupid, He Rules Us All 2008-06-23
In 1968 Franco Zeffirelli wowed critics and audiences alike with his filmed version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. He cast two unknown actors in the title roles. Romeo was played by Leonard Whiting, who captured the angst and anti-war sentiment of his generation while juxtaposing it with his all-consuming passion for Juliet. And Olivia Hussey plays Juliet to perfection by endowing her with innocence, naivety, intelligence and loving conviction. The rest of the cast is also superb especially John McEnery who lends a manic energy to Mercutio, Milo O'Shea who plays the difficult role of Friar Laurence, Pat Heywood who is spectacular as the Nurse, Michael York as the violent Tybalt and Bruce Robinson plays the loyal Benvolio. The film features a phenomenal score composed by Nino Rota. The production design is fantastic and the costumes are all lavishly created and provide the film with a sense of authenticity (even if not historically accurate). The fight choreography, though simple when compared to today's standards, is exciting and well rehearsed.
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes...
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows...
Do with their death bury their parents' strife."
For those few who aren't familiar with the story (Go read it!), it tells the tale of Romeo, son of Montague and Juliet, daughter of Capulet. The two youths fall in love only to discover that they are sworn enemies. They hide their love from their feuding parents and are hastily wed in secret. But Juliet is to marry another, at the command of her father and Romeo is banished from Verona for killing Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Just as it seems that there's no hope that the two lovers will be united, a Franciscan Friar offers Juliet a draught, which when taken gives off the appearance of death and once her family believed her to be dead she would be free to rejoin Romeo. But Romeo hears rumor of his beloved's demise and sets off for the mausoleum where her body rests. There, too distraught to live, he drinks a vial of poison and dies but not before giving Juliet one last kiss. When the draught wears off Juliet finds her true love's body. She is so determined to be with him that she plunges his dagger into her own heart, thus either ending her anguish or reuniting them in the afterlife. When the Capulets and the Montagues discover the tragedy that has befallen them, they put aside their ancient feud and are united in grief.
"A glooming peace this morning with it brings.
The Sun, for sorrow, will not show his head,
For never was a story of more woe...
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Though Zeffirelli takes some liberties with William Shakespeare's text (numerous lines of dialogue are omitted or altered, the confrontation between Romeo and Paris is removed, and the scene where Romeo goes to the apothecary to buy the poison is for some reason left out), he preserves the spirit of the tragic romance. The film is truly a classic and an example of acting at its finest.
Unfortunately the only DVD available is rather lacking. The film has not been restored or remastered in any way and the audio track is only in 2.0. There aren't really any special features except for English subtitles, scene selection and a theatrical trailer. With this year marking the 40th anniversary of the film hopefully we can expect a more worthy DVD release, but if not this one is available at most retailers for a very reasonable price.
Also recommended:
Romeo & Juliet (original soundtrack with dialogue from the film)
Romeo & Juliet (Nino Rota's original score without dialogue)
Warner Bros. Shakespeare Collection
Beautifully Casted, Adept Cinematography, Soundtrack Moving and the words wonderfully rendered 2008-06-18
Shakespeare's classic play of tragic love between members of opposing families.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 12-DEC-2003
Media Type: DVD
Romeo & Juliet DVD 2008-06-01
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.
Artistry that will touch your heart 2008-05-28
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.
Romance Explosion 2008-05-19
This is one of the finest performances of Romeo and Juliet on film. These youthful actors embody the spirit of Shakespeare's young lovers!
Zeferelli's Romeo and Juliet DVD 2008-04-17
The DVD was of high grade and quality. The color, picture and sound were of high quality as well.
