1968 Version The opening of the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet is very much like in the play by William Shakespeare! The narrator reads the prologue and spoils the ending of the play. (Which isn't really a big deal because everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet!) The first scene in this movie is a huge fight (which is meant to resemble the 'thumb biting' incident from the novel.) But in the play the incident is on a much smaller scale and the prince stops the participants before much becomes of it. This scene in the play is also a 'comic relief' moment, where in this movie it is a massive, bloody fight with many many deaths. Another key difference when talking about the 1968 version is the age of Romeo and Juliet. In this movie, the …show more content…
Romeo is 13 and so is Juliet.) Furthermore, when Romeo is complaining about his love of Roslina to Benvolio, he never mentions her name (where as in the play she is mentioned.) Another key difference is that in this movie, Benvolio seems to be a lot wiser than Romeo and is also older. Granted, in the play, Benvolio does seem to be the voice of reason in Romos romance life, there is nothing in the play that would lead me to believe that he is older in body, but in this movie he is portrayed as such. Moreover, when Mr. Capulet speaks with Romeo, the talk is portrayed as longer, and therefore more significant. Also, the music in this movie is more traditional and they speak in mostly Shakespearean talk (exact lines from the play.) And lastly, the kiss between Romeo and Juliet is short and romantic (much like in the play.) This is probably due to the …show more content…
Over the fight the narrator begins to read the prologue from the play, but stops before it spoils the ending. This fight takes place instead of the 'thumb-biting incident' and there is also a fight in an alley after the opening, but it is stilted and shorter than in the play, or the first movie. Romeo is also portrayed as a more level headed, older teen (or early 20's person.) He is barely phased by Ronsline and the reasons for why Rosline didn't want him are different from in the play. Another key difference is the age of Benvolio, he is a lot younger in this movie adaptation and Juliet is also portrayed by an older actor. Another key difference is that when Tybalt catches Romeo in the ball, Capulet is a lot more rough with him and Romeo is a lot more persistent about staying in the ball, using the princes warning to grant him access to the party. Another huge difference is that the kiss between Romeo and Juliet is longer and a lot more heated, which could have to do with the age of the actors that they chose to play the parts of Romeo and Juliet. And last, but not least, Tybalt is also in love with Juliet (which never happened in the play, or the first movie.) This creates a love triangle and a lot more drama than in the play, or the first