Adapting Romeo and Juliet from the iconic play enjoyed by millions over centuries in an attempt to modernize has obviously meant that nuances in the original stage performance have needed to be lost, in its original state the play was designed and written to be heard and experienced audibly, however that scenario would have led to a very boring dark and un-discernable movie, leaving the viewer with little to see and experience visually. Much planning was needed to bring about Mr. Lurhmann’s idealistic ideas including new settings in a modern world and utilizing the newer techniques for camera and lighting, as well as bringing the story into the newer century. Panning camera scenes with lighting designed to emphasize key elements of the scene …show more content…
Religion is referenced frequently to display that not only is law no longer a influence on the violence. Water is a focus for Romeo and Juliet the beach, the iconic fish tank scene and the balcony scene also iconic, the beach is shown as a place of change while the city is concrete rigid unable to accept change. Throughout the movie Lurhmann uses media coverage to keep with the ideals of our age using the news to keep the city’s residents updated on what is happening with the upheaval also using humor as did the original. Lurhmann uses the lighting to his best advantage in the movie often highlighting characters and various different scenes or parts of scenes to add to each piece and build romantic sense, suspense, and feeling, the sets chosen to help tell the story have a very up to date feel and the use of different camera angles add to the modern vibe, wardrobe is one of the most important ways this has also been brought into the new century with many choices being made specifically for the nineties when the movie was filmed all of the choices Baz Lurhmann have made carefully chosen as they were made this an unforgettable movie that has captured the hearts of an entire generation of romantic females yet again proving Romeo and Juliet still live in the hearts of many for years to
Luhrmann’s production of Shakespeare’s tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, appeals to the audience members largely due to Mercutio’s death. The weather, the acting and the music make this version powerful. The acting makes this scene of the movie believable when Mercutio was dying, Romeo was getting sad and started crying. Tybalt felt so bad that he killed Mercutio and didn’t know what to do he was just shocked and stood still looking at Romeo and Mercutio. The weather was sunny, hot and the sky was blue and the clouds were out and about. When Mercutio cursed both Romeo and Tybalt houses and started to die the weather started to change. The skies started to turn dark grey and thunder and lightning began and the wind so powerful started to blow all things around it away. Then out of nowhere a powerful storm has began to start when Mercutio was dying in Romeo’s arms. After Romeo killed Tybalt the storm began to become calm down and the storm had stop.
Luhrmann’s variation of the film is more suited to a teenage audience than Zeffirelli’s due to the vibrant settings and modern sets utilised throughout the film. Several of these sets include the beach, high rise buildings and petrol stations. These factors are used to tempt a younger audience. Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet, however takes place in a medieval Italian city. Although the original play was based and performed in this location, teenage viewers cannot relate to the surroundings, hence making it difficult to understand or appreciate the plot.
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.
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.
“William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”, as portrayed in Luhrmann’s 1997 film, reveals that the cause of love will always lead to the consequence of death. Luhrmann focuses on highlighting this connection through the usage of props, costumes, and symbols, the foreshadowing of Romeo’s and Juliet’s fate, and Romeo’s compassion for his friends and family throughout the film. These aspects of the film emphasize the connection of love and death and explore the harsh realities and truths relating to this connection.
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 the Baz Luhrmann version of Romeo and Juliet he modernised many scenes such as the balcony scene (pool scene), fight scenes and tomb scene. The scenes aren't the only thing that is modernised the costumes and props are also modernised.
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most well-known stories of all time and perhaps the most famous play ever. As one might expect, the play has been made into a movie many times. The 1968 version directed by Franco Zeffirelli and the 1996 version directed by Baz Luhrmann are two of the most popular films. The older version attempts to create an authentic representation of the play, while the 1996 version places a modern twist on the story. At first glance, the movies are completely different, but upon a deeper look, there are several similarities between the two. This is best demonstrated in the balcony scene.
Context has greatly influenced how Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in the 1500’s to how Romeo + Juliet was produced in 1996 by Baz Luhmen with a more modern intention.
Baz Luhrmann’s film Romeo and Juliet is exceptionally effective in a variety of ways. The film’s exclusive characterization, exaggeration, and modern setting all contribute to the efficiency of the film. These elements not only make it possible for audience with no prior knowledge of the play to enjoy, but also for audience with understanding to appreciate, as a parody. First, the unique characterizations in Romeo and Juliet enhances audiences’ understanding of the original play, and makes the movie entertaining.
Romeo + Juliet Romeo + Juliet is a modernization of the known tragic story about Romeo and Juliet. The movie was released in 1996 and was directed by Baz Luhrmann, who is a very well known director who directed The Great Gatsby, which also had Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role. The Great Gatsby won two Oscars and several other awards, alongside many nominations. Romeo + Juliet is quite different compared to the original Romeo and Juliet tragedy, which was written by William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s playwright of Romeo and Juliet is about the tragedies of one's young relationship with series of risk leading actions ending with the death of the young couple. Romeo is a Montague, who is also depressed because he loves Rosaline, for she doesn’t love him back. Romeo captures the sight of Juliet at the Capulet’s party, and soon forgets his love for Rosaline and loves Juliet instead. He soon realizes that Juliet is part of the family the Montagues are against. Because Romeo is blinded by Juliet’s beauty, he is eager to see Juliet once more and pleads for her love with the exchange of vows and the arrangement of marriage. Throughout the centuries, many people have different interpretations of the play such as Baz Luhrmann. Luhrmann’s 1996 interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is modern and contemporary as it
The production design in Romeo + Juliet triumphs the more traditional approach made by Zeffirelli in Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann’s presentation of his film is aesthetically appealing and engages the audience. Luhrmann also uses his environment to suit the emotions of various characters. He suggests that something bad will happen when the clouds turn grey and it begins to rain during the fight scene between Mercutio, Romeo and Tybalt. Furthermore, he continues to play with the weather in correlation to the characters’ emotions, as a thunderstorm ensues during Romeo and Tybalt’s showdown. This is effective in altering the motif of the scene, as it suddenly creates a gloomy atmosphere, in contrast to the constant weather in Zeffirelli’s version. Zeffirelli’s version is bland and it fails to entice the audience in anyway. The beach setting is modern and there are more colours which is visually dynamic. The final scene where Romeo and Juliet meet is very different in both versions. Luhrmann’s one is vibrant, creating a realistic image with the many candles surrounding Juliet’s death bed in the church. However, Zeffirelli’s scene once again fails
There are countless ways to interpret a Shakespeare play, particularly the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. In the 1996 adaptation, Romeo + Juliet, director Baz Luhrmann uses film techniques such as shadows, contrast between actors and background, the interruption of non-diegetic sounds with brief diegetic sounds, close-up shots, shots from varying angles, and cuts to different faces in order to show the similarity of Romeo and Juliet and the difficulties that lie ahead for their relationship. These choices combine to create a cohesive scene that both follows the basic plot of the play and interprets the play in Luhrmann’s own unique way, setting up the tragedy by interjecting moments of foreboding into an otherwise light and romantic scene.
In one of the introductory scenes of the film, Baz Luhrmann introduces the meeting of Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet’s ball. Luhrmann does this by using a range of camera shots that help illustrate the romance and whimsicality of these scenes. Camera framing is an effective technique Luhrmann uses in this film; to communicate the concept that society does not want individuals to have their own opinions and beliefs. Two shots that are significant include a close up shot that vacillates between Romeo and Juliet. The duration of each shot is just long enough to portray the romance and whimsicality of the scene. This is framed in such a way that shows their innocence and naïveté. This is followed by a mid-shot of Romeo pursuing Juliet at her mansion. The