Romeo and Juliet
original movie poster
Directed by	Franco Zeffirelli
Produced by	John Brabourne Richard B. Franco Zeffirelli, KBE (born Gianfranco Corsi on February 12, 1923) is an Italian Film director. John Ulick Knatchbull 7th Baron Brabourne, CBE ( 9 November 1924 &ndash 23 September 2005) was a British peer Goodwin Anthony Havelock-Allen
Written by	William Shakespeare (play) Franco Zeffirelli Franco Brusati Masolino D'Amico (screenplay)
Starring	Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Milo O'Shea Pat Heywood Bruce Robinson Michael York John McEnery
Music by	Nino Rota
Cinematography	Pasqualino De Santis
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	October 8, 1968 (USA)
Running time	138 min. William Shakespeare ( baptised Franco Brusati ( Milan, August 4 1922 - Rome, February 28 1993) was Italian Screenwriter, and Leonard Whiting (born June 30, 1950 in London England) is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli Olivia Hussey (born April 17 1951 is an Anglo - Argentine actress best known for her Golden Globe -winning role as Juliet in Franco Milo O'Shea (born 2 June, 1926, in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish Character actor, recognisable for his bushy eyebrows resounding Patricia Heywood (born January 1, 1927 in Gretna Green, Scotland) is a British character actress who has appeared in stage productions movies Bruce Robinson (born) is an English director and Screenwriter. Michael York, OBE (born Michael Hugh Johnson; March 27, 1942) is an English Actor. John McEnery (born 1 November 1943 in Birmingham England) is a British Actor and Writer. Nino Rota ( December 3, 1911 &ndash April 10, 1979) was an Italian Composer best known for his work on Film scores Pasqualino De Santis ( 24 April, 1927 - 23 June 1996) was an Academy Award winning Italian Cinematographer. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Country	United Kingdom/Italy
Language	English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Romeo and Juliet (1968) is a movie adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The year 1968 in film involved some significant events Events October 30 - The film The Lion in Winter William Shakespeare ( baptised A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the The film's tagline is "No ordinary love story…"

The film was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. Franco Zeffirelli, KBE (born Gianfranco Corsi on February 12, 1923) is an Italian Film director. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a Cinematographer for work in one particular Motion picture. This Academy Award was first given for movies made in 1948 when separate awards were given for black-and-white and color movies It was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture. The Academy Award for Achievement in Directing (Best Director is one of the Awards of Merit presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to artists working Sir Laurence Olivier spoke the film's prologue and epilogue and dubbed the voice of the Italian Actor playing Lord Montague, but was never credited in the film. Laurence Kerr Olivier Baron

The film's "love theme", written by Nino Rota, is widely recognized in the UK because of its use by the disc jockey Simon Bates in his "Our Tune" feature. Nino Rota ( December 3, 1911 &ndash April 10, 1979) was an Italian Composer best known for his work on Film scores The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience Simon Bates (born Birmingham, 17 December 1947) is best known for being a Disc jockey in the UK and New Zealand. There have been several different versions of the song released in the U. S. , the most successful by Henry Mancini, whose instrumental rendition of the theme became a number one hit in the United States in June 1969. Henry Mancini ( April 16, 1924 &ndash June 14, 1994) was an Academy Award winning American Composer, conductor ^[1] There were two different sets of English lyrics to the song. The film's version is called "What Is a Youth", with lyrics by Eugene Walter. Eugene Walter (1921-98 should not be confused with the playwright Eugene Walter (1874-1941 An alternate version, called "A Time for Us", featured lyrics penned by Larry Kusik and Eddie Snyder. Larry Kusik (also known as Larry Kusic) is an award-winning Lyricist. A third version is called "Ai Giochi Addio" with lyrics by Elsa Morante, and has been performed by opera singers such as Luciano Pavarotti and Natasha Marsh. Elsa Morante ( August 18, 1912 - 25 November, 1985) was an Italian Novelist, perhaps best known for her Novel WikipediaWikiProject Opera#Infoboxes. Thank you--> Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI ( October 12, Natasha Marsh (born c1976 is a Welsh operatic Soprano. A highly-regarded performer in both Opera and Oratorio, her Debut album Josh Groban performed another version titled "Un Giorno Per Noi", an Italian version of "A Time For Us".

Synopsis (film transcription)

“Fair Verona, where we lay our scene”, is the hometown of the Capulets (their house colors being varying shades of bright orange, red and yellow) and the Montagues (with more subdued shades of blue, violet, dark green and black), the two ruling-class households in the city, each with a long-standing blood feud against one another, which has cost both houses numerous lives over the years, though it is never disclosed why, much less what started the feud in the first place. Verona is a city and provincial capital in Veneto, Northern Italy. The following is a list of characters in William Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet, sorted by family allegiance and alphabetically by first name where applicable The following is a list of characters in William Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet, sorted by family allegiance and alphabetically by first name where applicable A feud (ˈfjuːd (referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud or vendetta) is a long-running argument or fight between parties&mdashoften through Guilt

In recent days, the feud between the two houses has again flared up in its fury. The story opens in the town’s Market Square, where a small fracas breaks out between men of both houses, until Benvolio, a cousin to the Montagues, steps in to attempt to stop it. Market Square may refer to any Market square. Market Square may also refer to;Specific market squares In Canada Market Square But he is soon taunted by the short-tempered Tybalt, an egotistical and rebellious cousin to the Capulets, who draws on Benvolio, and once again a small tiff quickly escalates into a full-blown street brawl, which soon includes both house lords themselves, swords in hand.

The frenzied fighting continues until Verona’s ruler Prince Escalus and his guardsmen in full battle array, arrive on horseback and order all involved to throw their weapons to the ground. He rebukes both lords for disturbing the peace for the third time, and threatens them with death should it ever happen again. The Prince then orders all to return to their homes and then departs himself. Prince, from the Latin root Princeps, is a general term for a Monarch, for a member of a monarch's or former monarch's family and is a

While tending to the wounded, Lady Montague asks about Romeo, who was not involved in the melee. Benvolio tells her of his being awake before sunrise and walking on the edge of town, where he briefly saw Romeo, who ran in the opposite direction when he saw Benvolio. When Romeo appears, Benvolio asks Lord and Lady Montague to leave them alone while he questions Romeo about his strange behavior. Romeo answers Benvolio's questions indirectly and is about to leave when more of the wounded Montague men are carried by. Embittered, Romeo storms off, but Benvolio follows.

"But He that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail. "
(Leonard Whiting as Romeo)

Later that day, Capulet, fresh from his dressing down at the Prince’s castle, briefly discusses with Count Paris (Roberto Bisacco) about being a suitor for Juliet, Capulet’s only remaining daughter. Leonard Whiting (born June 30, 1950 in London England) is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. A count is a Nobleman in European countries The word count comes from French comte, itself from Latin But while Capulet reminds Paris that Juliet is still a young girl (nearly fourteen according to the storyline), he suggests that Paris take steps to win her affections at a feast Capulet is holding at his house that night.

While Lady Capulet is being primped and prepared for the feast, Juliet is summoned to her mother's presence by the Nurse. The interview begins slightly awkwardly between mother and daughter (Juliet seems more at ease with the Nurse, who in turn seems more affectionate than Juliet's mother), but Lady Capulet informs Juliet of Count Paris' interest and intentions. Juliet replies that she will be a dutiful daughter and "look to like" Paris, if she finds him attractive.

At nightfall Romeo, Benvolio and a jokester named Mercutio, a cousin to the Prince and Romeo’s best friend, lead a group of Montague men all wearing masks to crash the party at Capulet House. Mercutio is a character in William Shakespeare 's famous Tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. En route, Mercutio teases Romeo about being in love, and Romeo, in a moment to himself, confides that he has a strong feeling that something is going to happen that can only result in his untimely death. But putting his faith in God (“. . but He that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail. ”), he joins the rest in crashing the party.

It is during the party that Romeo and Juliet first lay eyes on one another. There is an immediate attraction between the two, but Tybalt recognizes Romeo and angrily protests to Lord Capulet, his uncle. Conversely, Lord Capulet, knowing of Romeo’s decent behavior and mannerly reputation (and also wanting to avoid more trouble with the Prince), orders a seething and defiant Tybalt to ignore him. But Lady Capulet, still angry at her husband for his involvement in the street brawl earlier in the day, steps in to shut them both up.

"I gave thee mine before thou didst request it. And yet I would it were to give again. "
(Olivia Hussey as Juliet)

Later, as the party winds down, both Romeo and Juliet each learn separately that each is the others’ enemy, but the information is too little and too late as the love they have for each other is already too strong. Olivia Hussey (born April 17 1951 is an Anglo - Argentine actress best known for her Golden Globe -winning role as Juliet in Franco As the partygoers make their way home, Romeo climbs over a wall, ditching Mercutio and the others, not knowing until he sees Juliet on her balcony that he has ventured stealthily into Capulet’s garden. A garden is a planned space usually outdoors set aside for the display cultivation and enjoyment of Plants and other forms of Nature. The two proclaim and solidify their love for one another, and Juliet tells Romeo that if his intentions are good (i. e. , marriage), to send word to her through her contact the following morning, but she’s quick to add that if his intentions are anything less, he is to forget the whole thing and leave her alone. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS **************

The two part ways at daybreak, with a jubilant Romeo running directly to the cell of Friar Laurence to tell him of his intentions. Friar Laurence (or Friar Lawrence) is a character in William Shakespeare 's play Romeo and Juliet. At first the Friar storms away in disbelief, but soon has a change of heart — he becomes convinced that marrying the two will ultimately bring a permanent end to the long years of bloodshed between the Capulets and the Montagues. So the Friar agrees to perform the ceremony. Later that morning, Romeo meets with Juliet’s contact, whom we know to be her Nurse who relays the news to Juliet (this after being sexually teased and harassed by Mercutio). A nurse is responsible—along with other Health care Professionals —for the treatment safety and recovery of acutely or chronically Juliet then makes her way to the Friar’s cell and, just like that, the two become man and wife.

Later that afternoon Benvolio, reeling from the heat and fearing another fight with the Capulets, begs Mercutio to leave with him from Market Square. But Mercutio, the heat getting to him as well, ignores Benvolio’s pleas and opts instead to jump into a nearby fountain to cool off. A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source ( Latin fons) fills a basin of some kind and is drained away Moments later the two are accosted by a group of Capulets led by Tybalt, who is still angry over Romeo’s intrusion and his own humiliation at Capulet’s party the night before.

During the parlay Romeo, fresh from his clandestine wedding to Juliet, arrives in the Square to meet up with his friends, only to be intercepted by Tybalt who coldly calls him out. But Romeo, to Mercutio’s delight, turns Tybalt down with a handshake instead. Tybalt, feigning disgust at Romeo’s touching his hand, walks over to the fountain Mercutio is swimming in and washes his hand, deliberately splashing Mercutio and Benvolio before walking away laughing. For reasons known only to himself (his blood relation to The Prince might have been a factor), an offended Mercutio jumps out of the fountain and, despite Romeo’s protesting, calls Tybalt out and the two draw their swords and start fighting. Though it’s more of a friendly duel at first, Tybalt’s anger gradually gets the better of him when Mercutio gains the upper hand.

"A plague on both your houses!"
(John McEnery as Mercutio)

As Romeo tries to get between the two of them Tybalt, albeit accidentally, stabs Mercutio in his chest. John McEnery (born 1 November 1943 in Birmingham England) is a British Actor and Writer. Seeing blood on the tip of his blade, Tybalt panics, and his men convince him to run. The Montagues loudly cheer Mercutio’s “victory” while he futilely tells those nearby that he’s hurt. He angrily whispers to Romeo that Tybalt got him under Romeo's arm, but covers up the wound using his trademark handkerchief, loudly proclaims “a plague on both your houses”, and then collapses. Everyone, save for Romeo and Benvolio, thinks Mercutio is still joking until Romeo removes Mercutio’s kerchief exposing the fatal wound. It is only at this painfully shocking moment that they all realize that Mercutio, in his very final moments, was totally serious.

In a sudden fit of vengeful rage, Romeo grabs Mercutio’s blood-stained kerchief and takes off after the retreating Tybalt, with Benvolio and everyone else on his tail in a vain effort to stop him. Romeo catches up with Tybalt and, after telling of Mercutio’s death, angrily returns Tybalt’s original challenge to draw (by stuffing Mercutio's bloody kerchief into Tybalt's face). Unlike the previous duel, this one is all too real as the two renewed enemies duel furiously, with the fight finding its way back to Market Square.

"Take the villain back again that late thou gave'st me!"
(Leonard Whiting as Romeo and Michael York as Tybalt)

At first the once-pacifistic Romeo seems in over his head against Tybalt’s swordsmanship. Leonard Whiting (born June 30, 1950 in London England) is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli Michael or Mike York may refer to Michael York (actor Michael York (field hockey player Mike York, ice Nearing exhaustion but driven by deep anger over Mercutio's death, Romeo tries copying some of Tybalt's dueling moves only to be disarmed, and Tybalt later disarms himself trying to stick the downed Romeo. The fight deteriorates to fists and wrestling, but Tybalt, given another sword by one of his men, charges Romeo, again on the ground. But Romeo grabs Tybalt's lost rapier laying nearby, and a desperate thrust finds Tybalt's heart, and Tybalt falls dead. Romeo stands over Tybalt’s body in anguished disbelief as Benvolio screams at Romeo to run, reminding him the Prince will have his life if caught. The Montague men all grab Romeo and frantically drag him out of Market Square.

News of Tybalt’s death spreads rapidly. Juliet and her Nurse fall over each other in grief upon hearing the news, but Juliet quickly and viciously turns on the Nurse when she curses Romeo. Meanwhile, groups from both houses make their way to the steps of Verona Castle to summon the Prince’s judgment. A disheveled and naturally enraged Lady Capulet leads her group, who approach the castle carrying the corpse of Tybalt while Benvolio and Lord and Lady Montague lead their group to the castle from a different passageway carrying Mercutio’s body. The Prince asks Benvolio who started the deadly fight, but his explanation is somewhat drowned out by disbelieving laughs from the Capulets. Lady Capulet demands Romeo’s execution, but the Prince, reminding them all that it was Tybalt that killed Mercutio, asks who should answer for Mercutio’s death. Lord Montague pleads for mercy for Romeo, saying that by taking Tybalt’s life Romeo only did what the law eventually would have done. Angered but barely maintaining his temper, the Prince orders that Romeo be banished from Verona, but is quick to add that Romeo will indeed be put to death if found inside the city. Exile means to be away from one's home (ie city state or country while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return The Prince goes back inside the castle, but not before glaring at the defiant Lady Capulet for Tybalt’s killing of Mercutio.

Romeo, grieving over his banishment, takes temporary refuge at Friar Laurence’s cell when the Nurse comes with news of Juliet’s grieving- more for Romeo than Tybalt. At this news, Romeo almost stabs himself in self-loathing, but the Friar disarms him and angrily rebukes him for being unable to see how fortunate he is: that Juliet is alive, that Romeo himself survived the fight, and that the law merely banished him rather than execute him. The Friar sends the Nurse back to hasten everyone else in the house to bed early, and then instructs Romeo to go and comfort Juliet, but leave at daybreak for the nearby town of Mantua, and wait there for further word from the Friar. Mantua (Màntova in the local dialect of Lombard language Mantua is a city in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the

The two secret newlyweds consummate their marriage in Juliet’s bedchamber before Romeo begins his exile. Immediately after Romeo leaves, Lady Capulet arrives and tells Juliet of the plans she and Lord Capulet have made — to give Juliet to Count Paris in marriage, but Juliet, still in tears, angrily refuses the arrangement. When Lady Capulet complains to Lord Capulet, he explodes into Juliet’s bedroom and violently gives her an ultimatum: Either marry Count Paris or be disowned. Lord Capulet leaves still enraged and Lady Capulet refuses to help her daughter in any way. Juliet turns to the Nurse for comfort, but even she has had a change of heart about Romeo now that he is gone from Verona and counsels Juliet to marry Paris, saying that this second marriage would be better than Juliet's first. Incredulous, Juliet coldly orders the nurse to inform her parents that she is going to Friar Laurence for counseling and absolution. Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the traditional Churches in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

"Oh, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, from off the battlements of any tower!"
(Milo O'Shea as Friar Laurence) with Olivia Hussey as Juliet

Count Paris is consulting with the Friar as Juliet, in mourning dress, makes her way up the steps to his cell. Milo O'Shea (born 2 June, 1926, in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish Character actor, recognisable for his bushy eyebrows resounding Olivia Hussey (born April 17 1951 is an Anglo - Argentine actress best known for her Golden Globe -winning role as Juliet in Franco After the Count leaves, Juliet tearfully begs the Friar to help her, swearing she will kill herself rather than be forced to marry Count Paris. The Friar devises a plan: When Juliet returns home, she is to ask forgiveness from her parents and consent to the arranged marriage. The following night, when she is alone in bed, she is to take a potion (made by the Friar himself, who we learn is a skilled apothecary) that simulates death for forty-two hours. While Juliet is under the potion’s spell, the Friar will send word to Romeo telling him of his plan, having him come back to meet him in the tomb. There the two men will wait until Juliet wakes up, and then Romeo and Juliet, together this time for good, will flee to Mantua.

Juliet carries out her part of the plan perfectly. Friar Laurence dispatches an apprentice via donkey to Mantua with a letter for Romeo detailing the Friar’s plans. Meanwhile, the Capulets, having found Juliet’s “body”, are once again faced with burying one of their own with Friar Laurence himself officiating over the “funeral”. As Juliet’s “body” is being interred into the Capulet family tomb Romeo’s servant Balthasar, who knows nothing about the Friar’s plan, witnesses the proceedings from close by, and via horseback beats the Friar’s messenger to Mantua and tearfully tells Romeo what he saw. For the New York prison see The Tombs. A Tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. Angrily challenging the fates to do their worst, Romeo races back to Verona with Balthasar, passing Friar Laurence’s messenger who doesn’t even see them. At nightfall, Romeo and Balthasar arrive at the entrance to Capulet’s Tomb. Romeo ventures inside alone, and after grieving over Juliet’s “corpse” (and a brief apology to Tybalt, whose body lies on the slab next to Juliet's) drinks a vial of strong poison, which quickly kills him.

Moments later, Friar Laurence makes his way to the tomb, only to be intercepted by Balthasar, who informs the Friar that Romeo is already there. Suddenly afraid, the Friar enters the tomb and, seeing Romeo dead, finds his worst fears have been realized. Juliet wakes from her deep sleep with the Friar at her side, who informs her that something went wrong and begs her to come away with him. But when Juliet sees Romeo’s body, she refuses to leave, and the Friar runs out of the tomb in terror. Now alone, Juliet wails over Romeo’s body and, hearing the Prince's watchmen approach, grabs Romeo’s dagger and plunges it into her own heart, falling across his body.

"See what a scourge is laid upon your hate?"
(Capulets and Montagues finally together in peace-- at Romeo and Juliet's double funeral)

At daybreak, a double funeral as the bodies of the two lovers side by side (dressed in the same clothes they wore when they were married) with both Lords, Ladies and their Houses right behind, are carried up the steps of Verona's Temple, where the Prince awaits the twin processions. A funeral is a Ceremony marking a person's Death. Funerary customs comprise the complex of Beliefs and practices used by a Culture to remember Prince Escalus implores the two Lords to see the results of their rank hatred and, after making mention of his own loss (meaning Mercutio), declares that everyone has been punished - there is no place for any more fighting or resentment. At this sobering point the two warring families finally make their long-overdue peace.

Differences from the original play

While based on the original play, numerous changes were made to the film's storyline. However, this is also true of Laurence Olivier's versions of Henry V, Hamlet and Richard III, and especially of the widely criticized Orson Welles' version of Macbeth. Hamlet is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591 Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare 's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written some time between

Cast

Production

Set in a 15th-century Renaissance period, Romeo & Juliet was filmed entirely in Italy in varying locations:^[2]

• The balcony scene: At the Palazzo Borghese, built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 16th century, in Artena, 20 miles south of Rome. Leonard Whiting (born June 30, 1950 in London England) is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli Olivia Hussey (born April 17 1951 is an Anglo - Argentine actress best known for her Golden Globe -winning role as Juliet in Franco John McEnery (born 1 November 1943 in Birmingham England) is a British Actor and Writer. Milo O'Shea (born 2 June, 1926, in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish Character actor, recognisable for his bushy eyebrows resounding Patricia Heywood (born January 1, 1927 in Gretna Green, Scotland) is a British character actress who has appeared in stage productions movies Michael York, OBE (born Michael Hugh Johnson; March 27, 1942) is an English Actor. Bruce Robinson (born) is an English director and Screenwriter. Sir Robert Stephens ( 14 July 1931 &ndash 12 November 1995) was a leading actor in the early years of England's Royal National Theatre Roy Holder (born 15 June 1946 in Birmingham) is an English television actor who has appeared in various programmes including Ace of The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere Palazzo Borghese is the main seat of the Borghese family in Rome; it was nicknamed il Cembalo ("the harpsichord" due to its unusual trazezoidal For the Genus of noctuid Moths see Artena (moth. Artena is a village of Italy, in the province of Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2
• The church scenes: At a Romanesque church named St. Pietro in Tuscania, 50 miles northwest of Rome. Peter is a popular male Given name. It comes from the Greek word πετρος (petros meaning "stone" ( petra in Latin Tuscania is a town and Comune in the Province of Viterbo, Latium Region, Italy.
• The tomb scene: Also in Tuscania. Tuscania is a town and Comune in the Province of Viterbo, Latium Region, Italy.
• The palace of the Capulets scenes: At Palazzo Piccolomini, built between 1459-62 by Pope Pius II, in the city of Pienza, in Siena province. Pienza, a town and commune in the Province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany (central Italy between the towns of Montepulciano and Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini ( Latin Aeneas Sylvius; October 18, 1405 &ndash August 14, 1464) Pienza, a town and commune in the Province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany (central Italy between the towns of Montepulciano and Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Siena.
• The street scenes: Also in Pienza. Pienza, a town and commune in the Province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany (central Italy between the towns of Montepulciano and
• The fight scenes: In Gubbio, a town in Umbria province. Gubbio is a town and Comune in the far northeastern part of the Italian Province of Perugia ( Umbria) It is located on the first slope of Mt Umbria is one of the 20 Regions of Italy. The capital is Perugia.

Controversies and distinctions

The film is notable for being one of the first filmed versions of the play in which the main actors are near the ages of the characters in the play; Leonard Whiting was seventeen during filming, and Olivia Hussey was fifteen. Leonard Whiting (born June 30, 1950 in London England) is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli Olivia Hussey (born April 17 1951 is an Anglo - Argentine actress best known for her Golden Globe -winning role as Juliet in Franco ^[3]

The film was once rated G in the United States, but was later re-rated PG (which, in 1968, was the only rating below R) primarily because of a nude scene featuring Hussey. The Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system is used in the U Zeffirelli had to get special permission for Hussey to appear nude in the film as she was only 15 years old at the time. Hussey later amusingly recalled that she was not permitted to view the film because it contained her own breasts.

References and external links

• Romeo and Juliet fan site for all 3 versions of the film
• Comprehensive webpage on Romeo & Juliet, featuring magazine articles and film reviews
• Virtuoso in Verona — 1968 review of the movie in TIME magazine
• Romeo and Juliet at the Internet Movie Database
• Romeo and Juliet at Allmovie