Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film, Romeo + Juliet effectively appropriates the Shakespearean 16th century love tragedy. So why has Luhrmann decided to appropriate Romeo and Juliet? By changing the context, Luhrmann effectively makes the play relevant, discussing his contextual concerns of the 1990’s. This is done through the use of themes in the film, love, family disputes and hate which have remained similar to the original play, although the way they have been presented are different, in particular the form and characters. The form has had an obvious change as the original play has been adapted into a film. Characters in the film have also been appropriated to correspond with Luhrmann's contextual concerns. Hence, Luhrmann successfully appropriates the original Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet by maintaining similar themes, but altering the form and characterisation to fit his contextual concerns.

How effective is Luhrmann’s film Romeo and Juliet as a modern day appropriation of Shakespeare's play you ask? Baz Luhrmann's appropriation of the original play of “Romeo And Juliet” is highly effective as it is modernized to meet the interests and expectations of a 20th century teenage audience. Throughout the original 16th century play, Shakespeare develops the themes of family rivalry and love. The theme of family rivalry has been implemented into the original play through the conflict between two powerful families in the city of Verona. Throughout his appropriation of the play, Baz Luhrmann successfully preserves the same concept of family rivalry but modernises it by portraying the two families as two large business corporations and brands who are constantly in competition with each other. Shakespeare implements the theme of love through main character Romeo being made to resemble and fulfil the role of a typical "Petrarchan lover". Luhrmann also effectively integrates the theme of love through his successful use of filmic techniques to illustrate the unbreakable love between Romeo and Juliet whose love resembles and portrays the characteristics of a 20th century relationship. Using these modern elements, Luhrmann’s film effectively appeals to the contemporary teenage audience whilst powerfully conveying the themes of family rivalry and love. These adaptations made by Luhrmann in his film create a more comprehensible meaning as teenagers can relate to the film with a

A second reason, why I do not think that Romeo and Juliet will be able to be made in the 21st century because there was a potion that was involved in the plot. In the movie, the potion was used to kill the person and also to make the person look dead. Nowadays, we use guns and knives. We can use a potion, but, potions are not that popular like guns and knives. In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawerence the father of the church. Gave Juliet the potion for her to fall asleep and not wake up for the next two

Luhrman knew that his film would probably attract good publicity because it was the remaking of one of the most successful Shakespeare plays. Critics and cinema audiences would be curious to see how the play was portrayed on the movie screen. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is probably the most studied Shakespeare play at school and so most people would be familiar with the story line. Although both versions of Romeo and Juliet use language from the 16th century, the settings are very different.

Romeo and Juliet is a timeless story about two ill-fated lovers. Originally written by, Shakespeare, this story has been adapted by different directors who all commonly try to add their own unique twist to it. Two of the most prevalent adaptations of Romeo and Juliet have been done by Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann, who have taken this love story to the big screen. Franco Zeffirelli’s movie, which was produced in 1968, is extremely authentic and stays true to Shakespeare's vision, whereas, Baz Luhrmann’s version produced in 1996, is contemporary and appeals more to younger audiences. There are various differences and a couple of similarities between Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s movie versions such as the costumes, their interpretations of

In conclusion after watching two very different yet similar interpretations of Romeo and Juliet. I feel that Luhrmann does a better job capturing the tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet . Through the fast pacing in the movie and how he betrayed some of the characters his version truly captures this classic tail with a modern twist. His interpretation makes the deaths of our star crossed lovers even sadder. So that is why I believe Luhrmann did a better job capturing the tragedy of one Juliet and her

Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet was an accurate representation of the famous Shakespearean play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and was very entertaining for today’s audience. First, this modern version presented the original play in both an appealing and entertaining way for the younger generation. People today are interested in movies that are more romantic yet action packed, and Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet met these preferences. The film included many scenes from the original play that were changed to be action packed and tragic, such as the gunfights between the Capulets and Montagues, which appealed to the younger audience because of their modern day thinking. Because the film was action packed, the audience took an interest

Romeo and Juliet is a very well known book that is loved by many. There numerous movies done on Romeo and Juliet like Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version and Gnomeo and Juliet. There are many apparent differences like using guns instead of swords and using gnomes instead of people. Although there are many similarities, the differences between Luhrmann’s movie and Gnomeo and Juliet compared to the play Romeo and Juliet are evident. The similarities between the movie and the play only go down to the plot and language.

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and were left with the final thought of, something was missing. In the Luthrman in Zeferelli edition of Romeo and Juliet there were several of events that were not added into to the movie that were clearly an ineffective. There is no reasoning behind why the events weren’t implemented. Some huge events in Romeo and Juliet included, Romeo and Paris dueling, Romeo’s final soliloquy and Friar Laurence’s speech to the families. All being big events that were left out. To completely understand the viewer would have to read the play, or else they are not getting the full side of the story. Clearly many of the creative choices made by the movie directors were ineffective.

The play, Romeo and Juliet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in his early years. With all of Shakespeare's success, it is surely not a shock to see his plays adapt overtime. From Zeffirelli's 1968 version to Luhrmann’s 1996 version, there has been a drastic change. Luhrmann’s 1996 version has taken on a modern perspective, not just within the setting but the costumes and character personalization as well.

In this movie, the theme and ideas also tie close to the original. Though the script is identical to the original, the movie takes place in a more modern time. And in doing so, some actions are altered, like using a pool instead of a balcony, in order to have a modern twist of Romeo & Juliet. However, some things remain the same. For example, Juliet’s nurse calls for her, just like in the original. In conclusion, Luhrmann’s interpretation of Romeo & Juliet is very accurate compared to the original, however, with a modern twist.

The flaw which I noticed during the 1968 edition and the 1996 edition the character of Romeo is portrayed to make the audience unsympathetic towards him. For example, at first he declares love for Rosalind and is in a state of melancholy and yet as soon

The story of Romeo and Juliet is a romance that has weathered the test of time, with many different renderings and views of it. In class we saw two different retellings of this classic story. With many differences and similarities both movies shared a new perspective on this tale. After much deliberation I believe that Luhrmann did a better job bring this romance to life. His version of the story was more understandable, and got through to the watchers.

The movie and the play Romeo and Juliet focuses on two star-crossed lovers who are unable to be together because of restrictions between their families. In both the movie and the book the Romeo and Juliet fall in love, but this quickly ends when there is confusion between deaths of the protagonists. The movie takes place in a modern setting which differs from the book which took place in a more middle aged Elizabethan time period, but both incorporate Shakespearean dialogue. There are also modern tools that substitute the old ones such the use of guns instead of swords and traveling by car instead of by horse. Though the whole plot of the movie lines up with the plot of the play, the director did make edits by cutting unimportant lines.

Baz luhrmann has created these films in such a way that they are so alike in putting out the same message .. He displays his films like he were telling a story, which he invites you into. His stories are very simple and he also tends to give away the ending at the beginning of the film, which makes you want to carry on wachting to see the end . All of Baz Luhrmanns films are set in closed, confined, isolated little worlds.