Comparing Two Different Versions Of Romeo And Juliet

The Different Interpretations of the Film Romeo and Juliet

To prepare for this essay I have already seen two versions of Romeo + Juliet, one version was made in 1968 and directed by an Italian man called Franco Zefirelli. The other version was made in the late 1990's and was directed by an American called Baz Luhrman. Both versions are completely different from each other. I will analyse and give my own opinion on what I think about each play.

The version of Romeo + Juliet that is directed by Baz Luhrman is set in modern times and surroundings. They have also used modern costumes and props. This version looks as if it is set in Florida with the palm trees. He tried to show and pack as much violence

He shows this with all the expensive cars, the mansion where they live with the big windows and lots of people at the people. The people at the party are also rich; you can tell this by the clothes that they wear the black suits and shiny black shoes. The way that the party inside the house is laid out with the big chandeliers, big long tables lined with nice food and waiters offering out drinks to all the rich folk who drinking bottles of champagne. All those observations I have thought about displays how the director shows how wealthy the Capulet family are. In my opinion the director has succeeded in showing how wealthy the family is. In a way the Montagues and Capulets are the wealthiest family in the film and could also be the most the powerfulness' families as well. This is because people will want to be their friends because they are the richest. The friends of both the families could take sides to the feud that the families have. Also the part where Juliet is on the balcony and Romeo looking up at her, shows there wealth with the big swimming pool in the

We see the conflict between the two families but don't see the conflict inside the family. The scene where I am focusing on is act 3 scenes 5 just after Romeo leaves Juliet alone with lady Capulet. The conflict starts with L Capulet telling Juliet that she will marry Paris on Thursday but she's already married to Romeo so she refuses to marry. So when L Capulet calls Capulet about what Juliet said, he got really angry and threw her across the room, he then said.

"Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch."

That shows that the conflict can also be within a family as well.

The character Tybalt is portrayed in two different ways in each film. In the Zefirelli version of the film Tybalt is a relaxed person is often seen laughing a lot and joking about with Mercutio. But in the Baz Luhrman version Tybalt is much more violent and seems to get angrier quicker with a short temper. Baz Luhrman has done this to contrast the character Tybalt with Mercutio. I think this because if I am right it will create a better enjoyment for the audience to see