Romeo and Juliet Comparison Between Two Films

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Romeo and Juliet can be interpreted in many different ways, even though it follows the same script. Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet are similar in many ways, however they also differ significantly. Both films are based on Shakespeare’s play and have used the language in which Shakespeare originally wrote the play. However, in Baz Luhrmann’s version, some lines have been cut. Both films provide very different perspectives on Shakespeare's text because of the different eras in which they were set. The symbolism and imagery in both films are very different because of this factor. Franco Zeffirelli’s version of Romeo and Juliet takes a traditional and more suitable approach for the script, being set in the Elizabethan period as this was the period that the suits the script best. The acting in this movie is very theatrical and is being acted as if it was a theatre performance, just not on stage. It is set in Verona, Italy, which is where the play was based in the script. Zeffirelli’s version was aimed at people who wanted a film that was basically the same as the play, but with better scenery. Even though the play was meant for all audiences to enjoy, generally Zefferelli aimed at adults like the play did. The biggest and most obvious difference between the two movies is the era. Luhrmann aimed at a younger age group, and he made it a lot more exciting and violent with a lot more action using the best special effects possible at the time it was made. Technology was evolving at the time this version was made and the younger generation were more interested in movies with the best special effects a movie could offer. Because of this approach, the language did not match the movie as it did to Franco Zeffirelli’s version. However, although they were carrying around guns, Baz Luhrmann kept the language from the original script and

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