I'll focus on the two most popular movie adaptations of Shakespeare's play, the 1968 Zeffirelli version and the 1996 Baz Luhrmann version with Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo. The Zeffirelli film is probably the most faithful. It was filmed in Italy in a setting that has the look of Verona during the Renaissance. The actors look much as you might expect. Olivia Hussey looks almost young enough to play Juliet (she was sixteen during the filming), Leonard Whiting portrays an emotional and impetuous Romeo, and John McEnery is brilliant as Mercutio.
The first Act is almost word for word up until the scene at Capulet's party, where Zeffirelli adds a "troubadour" who would have been a common attraction at such a gathering. He sings a song called "What Is a Youth," which is a delightful Renaissance-type ballad and employs lyrics which are very much in line with the plot and theme of the play. Likewise, Acts II and III are virtually word for word. The fight scene in Act III, Scene 1 is audaciously staged and lasts much longer, with plenty of action, than the written version. As the movie progresses, however, Zeffirelli begins cutting scenes. It's almost as if he didn't want the movie to last too long. It totally eliminates Juliet's soliloquy in Act IV, Scene 3, which is a shame, because it is beautifully written and demonstrates Juliet's fears and courage.
Act V not only cuts things, but also changes the original in two ways. Zeffirelli eliminates Romeo's fight with Count Paris outside the tomb and also eliminates the Friar's explanation of the preceding events in Scene 3. Scene 2 is also cut in favor of explaining Friar John's inability to get Romeo the letter explaining Friar's Laurence plan by showing that Friar John's mule was too slow to reach Romeo in time. Finally, in the funeral scene at the end of the movie, which is added, we find Lady Montague quite alive. In fact, apart from Romeo and Juliet's words in the tomb, most of Scene 3 is cut from this version.
Where to begin with Baz Luhrmann's version? It is quite different, although he tries to stay faithful to Shakespeare's language. Here's ten definite additions and changes:
- Verona is a modern city named Verona Beach.
- Cars, guns and helicopters are used instead of horses and swords.
- The names of the servants in Act I, Scene 1 are swapped. Abram is a Capulet instead of a Montague.
- The Prince is actually a police captain.
- Mercutio and Romeo drop acid before Capulet's party.
- The balcony scene is filmed in a swimming pool.
- A song called "Everybody's Free" is used prominently.
- Mercutio is stabbed with a piece of glass instead of a sword.
- Instead of Friar John, FedEx is unable to deliver the Friar's letter to Romeo.
- Juliet is laid out in a church instead of a tomb.
Of course, the biggest alteration to the original Shakespeare is Romeo's dying scene. In this movie, he actually sees Juliet wake up just as he has taken the poison. He realizes that she is still alive and that he has made a terrible mistake. Juliet then promptly shoots herself with his gun.
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