Analysis of Baz Luhrmann's Use of Cinematic Devices in the Opening Scenes of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Love plays a crucial role in telling the story of Romeo and Juliet, clearly shown in the appropriated Luhrmann film. Using film as a new medium, cinematic techniques explore the love between Romeo and Juliet. The balcony scene is a clear example of how Luhrmann expresses this. To show his love for Juliet, Romeo decides to sneak into the Capulet mansion to confess his love for her. When Romeo sees Juliet through his window, light shines around her and he describes it as, “ the sun.” This suggests that Romeo is calling Juliet the brightness in his life. Luhrmann decided to portray Romeo

Driver: Yooo where my money? Don't run away with my money. (the drive starts running behind them) WAITTT MY MONEY…

A Comparison of the Fight Scene in Act 3 of Shakespeare's Play ‘Romeo and Juliet' in the Film Version by Zeffirelli (1968) and Lurhmann (1997)

Zeffirelli and Luhbrmann, both had the task of displaying the story of Romeo and Juliet in a cinematic form. Their adaptations of a

Baz Luhrmann, another acclaimed movie director also recreated the story of the two “star crossed lovers”. Again because of the medium the story is portrayed in, he can also acquire the use of symbolic, audio and visual codes. Baz Luhrmann just under over uses these to keep his audience compelled to the edge of their seats, to watch the film. Using large amounts of cinematic code, the spectator’s attentions are at the mercy of the movie. The way Luhrmann uses visual codes are similar yet different to those used by Franco Zefirelli in his representation of the story. The same important scene used above is the point when it is obvious. Romeo is in the back of Benvolios convertible, he then jumps out, and runs to scale the Capulet mansion wall. In Luhrmann’s version of the play rite, he adds a security dispatchment, in the same area Romeo is climbing the wall. The

In the Petrol Station scene, William Shakespeare’s important theme of violence is amplified and discussed through Baz Luhrmann’s filmic interpretation. The theme of conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets is a constant and crucial idea throughout the play. Baz Luhrmann has highlighted the traditional Shakespearean language by modifying the setting to a modern context, therefore the audience is able to relate to the text. Furthermore, the setting choice of a petrol station provides the film with the ability to effectively enhance the dramatic language revealed in the play. Irony and contrast are also really essential in drawing the audience’s attention to the violence in Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt states, “What, drawn, and talk of

Baz Lurhmann’s creation of the film Romeo and Juliet has shown that today’s audience can still understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Typically, when a modern audience think of Shakespeare, they immediately think it will be boring, yet Lurhmann successfully rejuvenates Romeo and Juliet. In his film production he uses a number of different cinematic techniques, costumes and a formidably enjoyable soundtrack; yet changes not one word from Shakespeare’s original play, thus making it appeal to a modern audience.

Act III, scene i of Romeo & Juliet is the climax of the story, in which two fights are portrayed, one between Mercutio and Tybalt, and one between Romeo and Tybalt, which lead to the deaths of both Mercutio and Tybalt. When portrayed in film form in Zeffirelli’s 1968 version, and Luhrmann’s 1996 version, there are many differences, and similarities. While these two films are telling the same story, it is the differences between the two that lead to Luhrmann’s 1996 version being superior. Due to its more dramatic settings, and character interactions and actor portrayals.

Comparison of the Opening Sequences of Two Different Versions of Romeo and Juilet The objective of this essay is to compare two different film adaptations of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juilet. Franco Zefferelli directed the first rendition of this play in 1968. This was the more conventional, traditional version of the play. It was slow, peaceful, and in my opinion, how Shakespeare would've wanted it.

Luhrman has based his version at Verona Beach; America and instead of basing it in the 16th century like Zeffirelli, he had his film based in the 20th century, with mansions, shiny cars and bright lights. While Zeffirelli paced his film in an Iambic pentameter – a traditional Shakespeare pace; Luhrman never kept his film at a solid pace. “By modernizing these aspects of the play, and reconstructing the prologue, Luhrmann creates a movie that is more interesting to the modern viewers.” ("Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet." 123HelpMe.com). As Zeffirelli may have believed famous actors would steal his show he instead hired fresh new faces to give the movie a more fresh, innocence value, But Luhrman used well known actors to play the lead roles. This worked because more people were attracted to the film by the actors.

Romeo and Juliet’s actions may seem rushed and immature, but Baz Luhrmann’s movie offers a compelling insight into their decisions. By setting this Elizabethan era play in the present day, the viewer can see past the differences in scenery and clothing compared to those of their lives, to analyze the unique characteristics of the lovers’ society and upbringing that may have led to their hasty love affair and violent end. Luhrmann creates a culture of violence and speed through careful decisions regarding cinematography, editing, and sound.

In the different film adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, Franco Zefirelli best conveys an emotional impact through the set design, blocking, and other theatrical elements. Zefirelli also chooses to have the film in the fourteenth century so that Shakespeare’s diction is comprehensible. From this, Zeffirelli adaptation is best conveys the romantic impact Shakespeare intends to emphasize.

In addition, a difference in the film by Baz Luhrmann, compared to the play by Shakespeare is the prologue and chorus. In Shakespeare’s original production, the chorus would have entered the Globe Theatre, and to gain the audiences’ attention, would yell “Two households, both alike in dignity” and the rest of his part. In Luhrmanns’ portrayal of the chorus, he instead uses close up shots of a television with an African American woman delivering a news report. Whereas Shakespeare’s audience were aurally dependent, modern audiences rely immensely on visual aspects of Luhrmanns’ ‘Romeo+Juliet’. The use of the television ‘caught’ the contemporary audiences’ eye and the African American woman represents the historically important

be but a short one as it is destined to end in tragedy. Also there is

Shakespeare’s work in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is outstanding in that it presents the audience with a very compelling and forbidden relationship between two people. The highs and lows of this play are a rollercoaster for the audience’s emotions and it can make the experiences ever so involved. One of the scenes that can really affect the audience and their emotions is the scene when Romeo and Juliet have their first kiss. In this short writing, I will analyze a clip from the 1968 version of the play by Paramount Pictures, as well as the 1996 version by 20th Century Fox, and in doing so I will closely look at what the director was trying to accomplish through the use of music, lighting, camera angle, and actor choices. This will allow