Two Versions of Romeo and Juliet Comparison Essay Example

Two Versions of Romeo and Juliet Comparison Essay We have watched two versions of Romeo and Juliet. We have to investigate the difference between the opening sequences of them both. One was made in 1968 by a man called Franco Zeffirelli and was set in Verona, Italy, in the middle Ages. The other film was by a man named Baz Luhrmann; he made this film in 1996. This version was set in America and is very modern. The opening scene of any film is extremely important because it can play a major role in establishing key elements throughout the rest of the film. The beginning of a film gives the first impression to the audience so it is very important to get right. Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy by the famous writer William Shakespeare. The story is based on two young people who fall in love with each other. The trouble thing is that their families are enemies. Romeo the boy that comes from a family called the Montagues and Juliet, (only 13) comes from a family called the Capulets. The Montague family and the Capulet family detest each other. So Romeo and Juliet realising their family hating each other they decide not to tell their parents of their love for each other. The Luhrmann version starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Both these actors were already famous established actors. They are very well known, this must have added to the popularity of the film as both actors are considered as idols and sex symbols. The stars in the Zeffirelli version were Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. Both these actors were completely unknown. By picking unknown actors of the streets it show that Zeffirelli wanted to show the youth of Romeo and Juliet and make it more realistic to the audience. We will write a custom essay sample on Two Versions of Romeo and Juliet Comparison specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Two Versions of Romeo and Juliet Comparison specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Two Versions of Romeo and Juliet Comparison specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The problem that faced Baz Luhrmann when he was directing the new version of Romeo and Juliet was that he didnt know whether there would be an audience for Shakespearean stories in a modern culture. So Luhrmann didnt make this film with the old-fashioned, Shakespeare purist in mind. Instead, by using lively, modern images with a modern rock soundtrack and young good-looking popular actors, he has taken Romeo and Juliet to an audience that would normally think of Shakespeare as a boring subject that they were forced to study at school. He put an old story in a completely modern setting and it worked extremely well. Baz Luhrmanns version was very modern. You could see that some of his main influences were from the very popular music channel MTV. Baz Luhrmann worked for MTV; this is a 20th century music channel, which uses fast, rapid shots and cinematography. Luhrmann portrays these techniques and his skills in using them to influence the opening scene of the film. By using very fast editing of pictures and introducing the characters like a soap opera it make s the audience more familiar with the film because we see it on our TVs everyday. Baz Luhrmann trained at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney; Luhrmann has worked as an actor, director, and producer. The Prologue was used in the play as a way for people to know what was going to happen if they should miss sections and so they could get the general gist of it. In the modern film adaptation the Prologue plays a huge part at the beginning of the film. It is played 3 times over. Once by the news reporter on the televis ion, again on signs around Verona City, and again as text flashing on the screen. In the film the prologue is used to wet peoples appetite and get them interested and exited- loud powerful music and action during the prologue do this effectively. The director has also done the clever thing of making each scene contrast from the previous and the next. This juxtaposition not only makes the film more exiting to watch, but can highlight differences in peoples feelings and actions, and how it can effect others. A point where this can be seen is after Romeo and Juliet have been married, a scene of much joy and hope is contrasted sharply with the following more violent scene. In this scene Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, a scene where there is a raging sea and no sign of hope, and it is apparent that their marriage isnt going to work out at all. Baz Luhrmann also makes many references to the person who wrote the play- Shakespeare. The pool Hall where Romeo and his friends hang out is called the Globe Theatre, all the guns used are called Swords, it is almost like he is trying to pay a tribute to the writer. At the beginning of Baz Luhrmanns version of Romeo and Juliet, we see a black female news reporter presenting to us the prologue as a news report. Firstly the news reporter is female, in 1968 women were not as independent as they are nowadays they had some rights but it was unlikely that a women would be presenting the news. This breaks all the stereotypical views of men and women and also introduces the 21st century ways of equality. The news report shows us the effectiveness of media. Secondly, the news reporter was black this is something that would have been unheard of at this time. There is a picture of a broken ring in the corner of the television screen. The broken ring in the background symbolises the two families and their feud. We then enter Verona beach via the television screen, where the prologue is then repeated to us with the images and the quotes.The camera zooms in and out of the shot with the words in fair Verona in between each shot. The harsh music in the background increases the tension and heightens the drama. It makes the audiences want to keep on watching and find out more. It cuts from a black background straight to a close up of Jesus head, making religious features remain in the viewers mind. We see the statue of Jesus in between the twin towers, symbolising that Jesus is a referee between the two families. There is also a lot of religious imagery keeping with the original story set in Verona, Italy, a catholic country. The twin towers represent the two families both alike in status and in wealth. The familys feud is secured in the minds of the audience with lots of fast movement and editing of the Virgin Mary, police, cars, Verona beach, helicopters, businesses and dead bodies. There is a backdrop of religion, money and hate. This montage of imagery sets the scene for the audience. Characters are introduced like in a 20th century soap opera. Quotes from the prologue into a visual form helps the audiences view and supports their understanding of the play. More quick edits of television reports, magazines and newspapers implying that media is very important. The harsh, fast, dramatic music fades into modern 21st century music to begin the play. Music is a big factor that heightens the opening scene of Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet. This is motivated from Luhrmanns experiences at MTV. The music is dramatic and encourages the audience to continue watching the film. It is played throughout the opening scen e. The music slowly fades into modern rock music and the first scene has begun. Zeffirelli was an actor before he started directing films. He was especially successful for costume designing and for operas and stage plays. His version of Romeo and Juliet was more traditional and the costumes that were used also influenced the style of the film. You can immediately see that Zeffirellis past experiences influenced this film a lot. His version of the film has a strong operatic feel. As soon as Zeffirellis version is played you get the impression that this film is quite old and very traditional. In Zeffirellis version we see a picture, which is presumed to be Verona, the original setting for Romeo and Juliet, the picture is quite faint is difficult to make out what is in it. The picture has a border around it. We hear reminiscent medieval music, which is well suited with the picture, it is quite slow. We soon hear a voiceover of the prologue and the camera zooming in and out of the sun. There is suddenly a change of scene to the town wall. A dramatic sound is played and the colour brightens and the noise level increases. The film is then more vibrant. It is a very simple opening. But this was standard technology in then days. It has clearly been shown that Luhrmanns opening sequence of Romeo and Juliet is more appealing and time consuming. This is due to the increase in modern technology. Zeferrelli was not able to use all the technology that Luhrmann could use, as that type of technology was not available at the time of Zefferillis production of Romeo and Juliet. Although high-tech technology wasnt available 30 years ago, basic technology was, so Zefferilli made use of this technology and achieved an Oscar for this film. Zefferellis opening scene is much slower in contrast to the fast and furious opening of Luhrmanns version. Zeffirellis opening was set in a market square whereas Luhrmanns opening was in a petrol station. Although technology was limited 30 years ago the editing and the effects were somewhat lacking in the Zeffirelli version compared to Luhrmann version. At the beginning of both of the films, there is a prologue to the play. A prologue introduces a play and sums up what is going to happen. The prologue in both the Luhrmanns version and Zefferillis is presented very differently. Luhrmanns presented with a newsreader whereas Zefferillis is a man with a deep voice giving a voice over. Black female presents the prologue in Luhrmanns version as a news report. Whereas in Zeffirellis version it is presented by a man in with a very deep voice. He presents the prologue in a very slow and dreary way. This goes well with the pan shot of Verona, which is very dark and looks quite dreary. A newsreader is saying the prologue of Romeo and Juliet. The newsreader then fades out and the viewer is shown empires, belonging to the Capulets and Montagues. This is meant to show you that the two families are both alike in dignity and in wealth. In Zeffirellis film, we are simply told this and lead to believe it. In Luhrmanns version we get a more detailed insight to the story we see clips from the film and we meet the characters. In Zeffirellis we are left to wonder what is going to happen in the film. I think both techniques work well. Zeffirellis technique makes the audience want to carry on watching because they are interested in the film. Luhrmanns technique gives the audience just enough previews to make them want to carry on watching to see what is going to happen, but not too much to give away the plot. Personally I preferred Luhrmanns version of Romeo and Juliet because it was more dramatic it made you want to carry on watching it. Whereas the Zeffirelli version was very long and dreary to start off with. I think it puts the audience off a bit. I think with Zeffirelli version only Shakespeare fans will want to watch it because it is a lot like the play. Whereas the Luhrmann version, everyone can get into because it has a lot of aspects that suit everyone. I am more used to seeing the ways the images are presented in his film in my everyday television programs so I was put off watching it I didnt find it boring or get drawn out of watching it. Whereas because of the lack of technology it makes the Zeffirelli version look boring to my generation. The Luhrmann version however will appeal to everyone. In conclusion, I think that the original text had to be edited in some way for to have worked as a film, especially as it was aimed at teenagers. Despite the heavy editing at some points during the play, and some scenes edited out to make the film, I dont feel that I have had any major understanding detracted, or indeed added. However, if I hadnt read the original text before I watched the film then I agree that I may have taken what I saw as being how William Shakespeare originally wrote the play. Especially since there is no hint of information at any point in the film that it is from an edited text. It even says on the front cover of the video and on posters etc. for the Luhrmann adaptation that it is William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. This was probably done so that no-one would think that Baz Luhrmann is trying to take credit for the play itself, however it could be confusing.