Roman & Juliet: Comparing Films

There are many obvious differences between these two films, the first one obviously being that the 1996 version is set in 1996 and is more modern, whilst the 1968 version stays true to the time period that the play was originally set in. But there are many differences then just the mere fact they are set in different times, and more similarities than the play itself.

But of course, the most obvious difference, like mentioned above is the fact that they are set in different time periods. The 1996 version was set in a modern beach town along the Californian coast, called Verona beach. Instead of using swords and horses, these props are replaced by guns and fancy cars with personalized license plates .While the 1968 version is set in Verona, Italy as is the original play. In addition it keeps true to the props used in the original version.

The 1996 version dramatizes the action, in order to keep the audience’s attention. For example, as Mercutio dies, things turns stormy and rain begins to fall. Although there is a subtle and classy way to have the weather depict the moods of the story, this was just too much. The battles are always bloody and stagy, with although is sometimes correct it’s not always necessary and sometimes take away from the scene. In the 1968 version is much less exaggerated. For example, the duel between Tybalt and Mercutio is more of an accident as opposed to a targeted attack and there are no dramatic turns in weather that are supposed to reflect characters moods.

This dramatization is not the only difference between the two versions. Both movies depict the characters quite differently. For example, Mercutio in the 1996 version is quite loud, boisterous and gaudy; in fact his attitude reminded me of the Nurse’s in the original play. He is definitely seen as comical relief throughout the play, although I’d hardly call his actions comical. Once again, the 1998 version indeed depicts Mercutio much like he is seen in the book – hotheaded yet not showy. In addition Juliet’s parents are portrayed quite differently. In the 1996 remake, Lady Capulet is a crazy, over the top, inattentive mother who doesn’t seem to care about Juliet’s feelings, and Capulet is just a mean old man. However the 1968 movie shows parents who (for the most part) care about their daughter’s wellbeing and feelings. Once again, I’d say these differences in characterizations are as a result of the 1996 directors being desperate to add comic relief to the film, even where it’s not necessary.

Despite these drastic differences, these films do share a few traits. They both of course, use the original Shakespearian language and they both sacrifice a few scenes in order to cut the film down to less than 2 hours long. Neither shows the killing of Paris in Act 5, and both have two young stars for Romeo and Juliet (which is the way it should be.) And of course, if it wasn’t already evident both films are based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Other than these minor similarities, I’d say the films are completely different.

It is obvious from the beginning the two movies were set out to achieve different results. The 1996 version is supposed to cause uproar and laughter from its audience (whether or not it does this is debatable though.) And the 1968 representation uses original settings and authentic costumes to create a film much more similar to the original play. I’d say the 1968 version is much better. Not only the fact that it sticks to authentic costumes and time periods, which I believe add to the play rather than take away from it. It’s because the 1996 version tries so hard to add comedy and action to scenes, things just come off as mediocre. Whereas the 1968 version simply uses the comedy and action that Shakespeare had already included to make their film interesting. There’s definitely enough comedy and witty banter between characters in the original without adding all the extra nonsense. They completely change some of the characters in order to achieve this supposed comedy. If they wanted to change the play so much, I’d say they’d be better off just creating a whole new movie. It’s an alright movie, but I do not like it as a recreation of Romeo and Juliet. Less is definitely more when it comes to these two films.