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Romeo and Juliet (1968)
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Movie Review by MCBD
May 20th, 2009
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WHERE FOR ART THOU?
Favorite Movie Quote: "Parting is such sweet sorrow."
Released in 1968 to highly enthusiastic critical acclaim - This would be the 3rd time (but, definitely, not the last time) that WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE's world-famous tale of Teen Tragedy in the 16th Century would be brought, in all its glory and splendor, to the silver screen.
Directed by FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI - This particular version of ROMEO AND JULIET (R & J) is, without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautifully presented Costume Dramas ever filmed.
When R & J was filmed, actress OLIVIA HUSSEY (Juliet) was only 15, and actor LEONARD WHITING (Romeo) was only 17.
The casting of these 2 (then unknown) actors, who were at such a young age, was, indeed, a big gamble and, as it turned out, a literal stroke of movie-making genius.
Not only were the ages of HUSSEY and WHITING right in tune with the characters of SHAKESPEARE's play, making the story and its subsequent conclusion more plausible, but, it also generated genuine audience-interest from the younger movie-going crowd of the time who would've probably otherwise ignored this film, altogether, missing out on a highly rewarding and enriching movie-experience like no other.
ZEFFIRELLI's version of R & J really is a wonderful film experience. It's an excellent introduction for anybody, young or old, to the fabulous works of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. It possesses a fresh, youthful vibrancy that is positively, undeniably infectious.
A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell So Sweet (?) ........
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