"Romeo and Juliet": A Story That Lasts Through All Time

Pretty much everyone knows “Romeo and Juliet”; the timeless love story about two star-crossed lovers that ends in a terrible tragedy.  Written in 1595 and 1596 by William Shakespeare, it was his first successful tragedy.  The success hasn’t just been in his time, though.  “Romeo and Juliet” has been recreated into countless plays, operas, pieces of music, works of art, and movies.  Two popular movie versions of “Romeo and Juliet” is “Romeo and Juliet,” and “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”.      

“Romeo and Juliet”

Made in 1968, this film has gotten excellent reviews.  In the film, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting star as Juliet and Romeo.  The film uses the traditional dialog, and it take place in the typical setting of Verona, Italy in the 16th century.  This version is unique because the actors who played Romeo and Juliet were the same age that was written in the original play.  It’s total gross was $42,000,000.  Now considered to be a classic, “Romeo and Juliet” has been a basis for other versions of the original writing. This version has even been referred to in pop culture! Celine Dion has referenced in one of her music videos.  

“William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”   

This version is a modern take on the classic version.  Instead of taking place in Verona, Italy, it takes place in Verona Beach. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. The language is the traditional Shakespearean dialog, but every other aspect of the film is in modern times.  Instead of using swords and daggers, the characters use guns.  The film got good reviews, and it grossed a total of $147,554,998 worldwide.  Along with the positive reviews, both Danes and DiCaprio were nominated for multiple awards.  Movie critic James Berardinelli said, “Ultimately, no matter how many innovative and unconventional flourishes it applies, the success of any adaptation of a Shakespeare play is determined by two factors: the competence of the director and the ability of the main cast members. Luhrmann, Danes, and DiCaprio place this Romeo and Juliet in capable hands” (reelviews.net).

            It is amazing to think that a piece of writing from the Renaissance has not only survived but it still wildly popular today.  Movies based off of the classic love story are very successful, and each movie has a different take on William Shakespeare’s words.  Some movies are filmed just as the play is written, others are modern day retellings of the two star crossed lovers.  It gives an insight on what life was like for young people during the Renaissance.  But whatever is done to the story, it will always be retold for many years to come.  

Citations:

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Ebert, Robert. “Romeo and Juliet”. Wayback Machine Internet Archive. 15 October, 1968. http:// web.archive.org/web/20071221023128/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19681015/REVIEWS/810150301/1023. (19 December, 2013)

Pictography

“Portrait of William Shakespeare”. Drawing. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

1993. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/. Accessed 19 December, 2013.

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“Romeo and Juliet Widescreen DVD Cover”. picture. Wikepedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 13

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