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Movies / On DVD / Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet (1968)

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Reviews Counted:29

Fresh:28

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: The solid leads and arresting visuals make a case for Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet as the definitive cinematic adaptation of the play.

Runtime: 2 hrs 18 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Director Franco Zeffirelli's penchant for period love stories find its perfect outlet in this classic Shakespeare tragedy, and many consider it the best filmed version of the story. As the title... Director Franco Zeffirelli's penchant for period love stories find its perfect outlet in this classic Shakespeare tragedy, and many consider it the best filmed version of the story. As the title characters, fifteen year old Olivia Hussey and seventeen year old Leonard Whiting bring a touching amount of spontaneity and innocence to their roles, which works in the favor of the film, if not always the text. The exquisite cinematography by Pasqualino De Santis and haunting score by Nino Rota are also key elements in the films effectiveness. A supporting cast of largely unknown actors lend the film terrific urgency, especially Michael York as Tybalt, whose duel with Romeo is nothing short of gut-wrenching. This film was a huge hit with young audiences when originally released, and was considered a symbol for the anti-war, pro-peace youth movement. It remains something of a cultural touchstone, a romantic idealization of youth that still strikes a deep, reverberating chord. [More]

Starring: Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting, Milo O'Shea, Michael York

Starring: Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting, Milo O'Shea, Michael York, Paul Hardwicke, John McEnery, Laurence Olivier, Natasha Parry, Bruce Robinson

Director: Franco Zeffirelli

Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Screenwriter: Franco Brusati, Franco Zeffirelli, Maestro D'Amico
Story: William Shakespeare
Producer: John Brabourne, Anthony Havelock-Allan
Composer: Nino Rota

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Romeo and Juliet

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

For many, this remains the definitive big-screen Romeo And Juliet.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
01/22/08
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Mostly it remains enjoyable for its color and visual flair.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Cheesy at best, but perfect school Shakespeare.

comment Comment
09/23/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

No review available.

comment Comment
10/14/05
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
09/21/05
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com

No review available.

comment Comment
06/29/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
12/05/04
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

... the excessive wailing of the ill-fated couple as they suffer all manner of ... set-backs made me want to turn them over my knee and 'give you something to cry about.'

Full Review Source: JWR | comment Comment
08/28/04
S. James Wegg
S. James Wegg
JWR

No review available.

comment Comment
07/02/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Franco Zeffirelli's rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragic love story gets off to a slow and rocky start but eventually takes hold once its titular leads take over.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
03/16/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
12/24/03
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
06/20/03
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

The best screen adaptation of Shakespeare's wonderful romance.

comment Comment
06/13/03
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet is a lovely, sensitive, friendly popularization of the play...

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Renata Adler
Renata Adler
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A staple of lazy high school English teachers everywhere.

comment Comment
01/11/03
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

Still the best adaptation of Shakespeare's most popular effort

comment Comment
12/13/02
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet is best version on film.

Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
11/07/02
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Netflix

No review available.

comment Comment
10/08/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
08/22/02
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

No review available.

comment Comment
08/09/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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