William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’

Alternative title
William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet
Synopsis
An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet radically interpreting the text, while preserving the verse. Set in a futuristic Verona, the film uses shock cuts, speeded-up trick motion, and a rock music score. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the title roles. Luhrmann’s version is ‘still an object lesson for film-makers attempting to do Shakespeare with style’ (The Guardian, 2019).
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Film; Video
Technical information
Black-and-white / Sound
Year of release
1996
Duration
120 mins; 10,804 feet

Credits

Director
Baz Luhrmann
Producer
Baz Luhrmann; Gabriella Martinelli
Cinematographer
Baz Luhrmann; Donald M. McAlpine
Writer
William Shakespeare
Screenplay
Craig Pearce
Music
Nellee Hooper
Art Direction
Doug Hardwick; Jesus Buenrostro
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprioRomeo
Claire DanesJuliet
Harold PerrineauMercutio
Pete PostlethwaiteFriar Laurence
Miriam MargolyesNurse
Brian DennehyTed Montague (Montague)
Christina PicklesCaroline Montague (Lady Montague)
Dash MihokBenvolio
Diane VenoraGloria Capulet (Lady Capulet)
Jesse BradfordBalthasar
John LeguizamoTybalt
M. Emmet WalshApothecary
Paul RuddDave Paris (Paris)
Paul SorvinoFulgencio Capulet (Capulet)

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Historical period
Contemporary
Plays
Romeo and Juliet
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Teen movie
Related items
Film Focus: The Making of a Blockbuster
Music and Shakespeare [28/09/1998]

Notes

Notes
Available on BoB: https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/000A4050?bcast=90784908
Estimated budget $14,500,000.
Figures
Domestic Total Gross $46,351,345 (Box Office Mojo 2005)
Awards
BAFTA Film Awards 1998 - Best Screenplay - Adapted, Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music, David Lean Award for Direction.
Reviews
Reviewed by Peter Matthews in Sight & Sound (4/97), pp. 54-5.

Michael Anderegg, Cinematic Shakespeare (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004), pp. 72-85.

Online Availability

Online URL
https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/000A4050?bcast=90784908

Production Company

Name

20th Century Fox

Distributor

Name

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Web
http://www.fox.co.uk/ External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7753 8686
Fax
020 7437 1625
Address
Twentieth Century House
31-32 Soho Square
London
W1D 3AP
Notes
Feature films from Fox and MGM for sale on DVD and Blu-ray via retail outlets.
Name

Filmbankmedia

Email
info@filmbankmedia.com
Web
https://www.filmbankmedia.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 20 3866 6525
Address
1st Floor, 67-74 Saffron Hill
London
EC1N 8QX
UK
Notes
The main source in the UK for hire of feature films for non-theatrical presentations. The extensive catalogue includes vintage classics, independent films and big blockbusters. Available on 16mm as well as VHS and DVD. Also provides advice on contractual matters.
Name

Learning on Screen Off-Air Recording Back-up Service

Email
services@bufvc.ac.uk
Web
http://bufvc.ac.uk/tvandradio/offair External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7393 1514
Fax
020 7393 1555
Address
For Learning on Screen Members only
77 Wells Street
London
W1T 3QJ

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/23740 (Accessed 15 Nov 2024)