Romeo And Juliet Movie Comparison

Amina Mamoun Grade 9 Monday, March 29, 2009

Compare the 2 films versions and how well they adapt the play. “Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” – (William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet.) Romeo and Juliet is an epic mix of both tragedy and romance, it is written by a historic author: William Shakespeare who is well known for the tragedies he has written, it is heartbreaking and full of emotions. Tragedy is one of the branches of drama, it consists of a great person that brings himself to doom by a flaw of character, or an overthrow of power and fate. Out of this painful script that aroused tears two movies were created, the first one was by Zefereli which is the older version; on the other hand Luhmann directed a newer version. This essay will include a comparison between both versions of the move and which one adapted most to the play.

The two movies were a challenge to make; both had their challenges and eases, the Zefereli version was the easiest to relate to the timing because of the time it was set in, it was set around the time Shakespeare would have probably written it. The clothes are classic and beautiful; you see the jesters walking around and the ‘kinsmen’ of both families. On the other hand the Luhmann version was set in modern times, people were dressed like how you would on your regular days, the ‘kinsmen’ for Juliet and Romeo were fighting around with guns however it is originally swords. The Luhmann version is closer to non realistic because in the year 1996 if such a trauma was created it would be abolished immediately it would have not been a world war like it was. The film techniques were progressed from a version to another, the music in the Luhmann version was more luminous, you could tell it was there and that it had significance. Although it might not have been always appropriate because of the advance in it. As audiences to both versions the reactions were different, in Luhamann’s version it was easier to comprehend and relate how ever in Zefereli’s it was difficult because the time relation was grand.

Adopted a script is one thing however putting passion in it is another. Adopting a script is like a dance the techniques might be perfect and graceful however the passion does not exist. Luhmann and Zefereli both put their hearts and souls into

the movie. I would assume it was tougher on Luhmann because on the time difference, however easier for the existence of more developed technology that help. For Zefereli it was simpler to adopt because of the time the movie was acted upon they did not need to adjust anything they just had to put in on film. The Luhmann version was more adopted because the story was exactly how Shakespeare wrote it, the comedy he chose to put in it was there and the tragedy, love and passion was there. In Zeferelihe did not fully grasp the comic strips that were supposed to be included. There for it was mostly serious, tragic and romantic.

While how both versions are similar was discussed, it is necessary to discuss how they differ. Obviously Luhmann's, and Zefereli's versions of the film is different; first of all because of the different time periods, and second of all because of the mise en scene, the props are different. During the filming of the Zefereli’s the lighting was all candle lights and medieval setting on the other hand in the Luhmann version the setting is very modern due to the presence of the pool and so on. In Luhmann's version it didn't relate to the actual playwright because it’s in the 1990's, and that is not how the ninties were. But Zefereli's version was more realistic and it actually showed how the play is really supposed to be, by following its style, and portray a perfect image of how it would have been and develop the play thoroughly. Additionally, Luhmann's balcony scene was irrelevant. They changed it vastly, instead of it being in a balcony it’s in a pool. Zefereli's version was portrayed more appropriately. Concisely, both movies were adaptations of the same play but neither of them was the same. In my opinion, Luhmann’s version would be more appealing to modern day audiences because of the resemblance to our time. Both movies were very influential and the first scene will make the rest of the movie more anticipated and will leave the audience waiting for more.