ROMEO & JULIET -- Franco Zeffirelli

©1968
studio: Paramount
production company: BHE Films, Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Verona Produzione
dir: Franco Zeffirelli
cast: Olivia Hussey,Leonard Whiting, Milo O'Shea, Michael York, John McEnery, Pat Heywood, Natasha Parry, Robert Stephens
screenplay: Franco Brusati and Masolino D'Amico
from the play by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare's classic story of two star-crossed lovers who come from feuding families.

This was really a wonderful film adaptation of Shakespeare's play. The acting was all quite excellent. In particular, I enjoyed Michael York and Milo O'Shea.

There were times when I grew weary and wanted the story to just get on with it, and this could possibly have been the result of my just being tired, but perhaps the film could have used some trimming as well. However, it did seem that the screenplay was quite faithful to the original play, and therefore not wanting any editing.

The costumes were very interesting, and some times distracting. More than once I wondered if men would really be just walking around town dressed in two-color tights and ballet slippers. And did men's tights really have those tied-on cod-piece covers that were more than a little evident here? I liked the visual look that the costuming gave to the film, but it didn't seem practical or as authentic as perhaps they were trying to be. (And to be fair, for all my weak knowledge of period costuming goes, this could have been THE most authentic look ever recreated.)

Despite my protestations mentioned above, I liked this movie quite a lot and highly recommend it.