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Romeo and Juliet (1968)

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Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 31
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 1

The solid leads and arresting visuals make a case for Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet as the definitive cinematic adaptation of the play.

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

The solid leads and arresting visuals make a case for Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet as the definitive cinematic adaptation of the play.

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 61,772

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Movie Info

Director Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release (successfully, if the box-office receipts are any indication), as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long-standing tradition of casting over-aged, sometimes grey-haired players in the title roles. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo, with 15-year-old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works

PG, 2 hr. 20 min.

Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Classics

Directed By: Franco Zeffirelli

Written By: Franco Brusati, Franco Zeffirelli, Maestro D'Amico

In Theaters: Oct 8, 1968 Wide

On DVD: May 23, 2000

Paramount Home Video

Romeo and Juliet Trailer & Photos

Cast

Olivia Hussey
Juliet
Leonard Whiting
Romeo
Milo O'Shea
Friar Laurence
Michael York
Tybalt
John McEnery
Mercutio
Pat Heywood
The Nurse
Natasha Parry
Lady Capulet
Robert Stephens
Prince Of Verona
Keith Skinner
Balthazar
Richard Warwick
Gregory
Dyson Lovell
Sampson
Ugo Barbone
Abraham
Bruce Robinson
Benvolio
Paul Hardwick
Lord Capulet
Antonio Pierfederici
Lord Montague
Esmeralda Ruspoli
Lady Montague
Roberto Bisacco
Count Paris
Roy Holder
Peter
Aldo Miranda
Friar John
Dario Tanzini
Page to Tybalt
Murray Head
The Chorus
Laurence Olivier
Narrator of Prologue
Roberto Antonelli
Carlo Palmucci

Critic Reviews for Romeo and Juliet

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (1) | DVD (3)

Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet is a lovely, sensitive, friendly popularization of the play...

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Renata Adler

New York Times

Top Critic

The success of the film depends upon Whiting and Miss Hussey...They are magnificent.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Despite major trimmings of Shakespeare's text, this is a lovely version of the much-filmed play, largely due to the casting of the leads with handsome, unknown teenagers.

March 29, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Wonderful, but a little too mature for some kids.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Scott G. Mignola

Common Sense Media

For many, this remains the definitive big-screen Romeo And Juliet.

January 22, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Richard Luck

Film4

Mostly it remains enjoyable for its color and visual flair.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Cheesy at best, but perfect school Shakespeare.

September 23, 2004 Comment

Joe Utichi

FilmFocus

... the excessive wailing of the ill-fated couple as they suffer all manner of ... set-backs made me want to turn them over my knee and 'give you something to cry about.'

August 28, 2004 Full Review Source: JWR

| Comment

S. James Wegg

JWR

Franco Zeffirelli's rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragic love story gets off to a slow and rocky start but eventually takes hold once its titular leads take over.

March 16, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

The best screen adaptation of Shakespeare's wonderful romance.

June 13, 2003 Comment

Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

A staple of lazy high school English teachers everywhere.

January 11, 2003 Comment

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

Still the best adaptation of Shakespeare's most popular effort

December 13, 2002 Comment

Jon Niccum

Lawrence Journal-World

Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet is best version on film.

November 7, 2002 Full Review Source: Netflix

| Comment

James Rocchi

Netflix

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Romeo and Juliet

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Yes I think we all get the picture that the leads played their roles fantastically. The movie itself wasn't perfect because of the cheesiness of it. It's great if your into romance films but it's not for everyone. Olivia Hussey is definetely the best Juliet there's ever been. It's solid for a romance but as I said it

January 24, 2012

Michael Miller

Super Reviewer

I liked this version, but I had a feeling they had a lot of vreepy clothes and terrible acting.

May 19, 2011

Brad Wright

Super Reviewer

Romeo and Juliet Quotes

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1. Romeo: Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
– Submitted by Jos� G (5 months ago)
1. Romeo: Oh speak again bright angel!
– Submitted by Bobby J (8 months ago)
1. Lord Capulet: You're a saucy boy!
– Submitted by Mark P (8 months ago)

Character	Quote
	Enter quote here...	Delete

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