Franco Zeffirelli’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet brings the stage tragedy into a real-life perspective. This is the best motion picture of this love story because it doesn’t shy away from the reality of the consequences of a family feud and death. Michael York is the largest name associated with this Italian produced film and gives a great performance as the antagonistic Tybalt that is both moving and convincing. When he dies at Romeo’s hand we are both happy and sad at the same time. A very rare combination of feelings.
The most powerful and unforgettable element in the film is Nino Rota’s original score. It is the most beautiful piece of music that I have ever heard for the screen. Sorry for those who think it’s John Williams’ Star Wars (1977). Nino Rota’s score gives Romeo and Juliet an antiquarian feeling and sets the right mood to give a tragic event such as two killings and two suicides a beautiful picture. It is very difficult to make a tragic event into something beautiful as the Romantic artists would agree. The melody is something unforgettable and yet simple.
I want to lastly emphasize the fight scene between Romeo and Tybalt and how it is the most realistic Shakespearean duel put to screen. There are no fancy choreographed steps or impressive sword play, only two desperate men fighting to stay alive. There is a sword fight, but in any hasty duel fueled by rage, the swords come down and up comes the fists. There is punching, cutting, wrestling, and shouting with a crowd cheering them on and being aware of their illegal activity. To say that it was a tense moment is an understatement.
Leonard Whiting (L) and Michael York (R) in Romeo & Juliet
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