Comparing Zeffirelli's Romeo And Juliet

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been adapted numerous times into films where elements of cinematography, setting, etc. have been implemented differently and uniquely throughout each of these film versions. Whether or not the movie remains true to the original script of the play, the main focus in creating a film is to bring the words on the page to life so the viewer can witness the events portrayed from the play in real time. Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968) remains mostly the same from the play’s original text. The phrases are the same, as well as most of the important dialogue delivered by the characters. The 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet appears, more than any other interpretation, to stand truest to the original script written more than 400 years ago, in that, it emphasizes, to its core, an almost inflexible sense of “ancient grudge,” mutinying blandly on the idealism of Shakespeare’s

Throughout the play, Shakespeare describes the love Romeo and Juliet have for each other as sporadic, yet intense. This glorifies the youthfulness of these two star crossed lovers. There is passionate and youthful love presented in this play. As a result, their love for each other intensifies so quickly because of their immaturity and rather youthfulness. For example, when Romeo and Juliet meet face-to-face for the first time exemplifies and foreshadows their love to come. Zeffirelli portrays their first meet in a party with dancing. Romeo sees Juliet from across the room and the entire scene is shot from the perspective of Romeo. Doing so allows the audience to take in the essence of what Romeo was feeling at the time. Zeffirelli chooses to use bright lights and a happier atmosphere in order to complement the cheerfulness and happiness one feels after meeting their true love. When Romeo first catches sight of Juliet, he