Which Romeo and Juliet movie do you like more? The 1990's version or the 1960's?

Question

i think the 1960's one is more accurate but the 1990's one is more entertaining...what do you think?

plus it's got Leonardo Dicaprio in it

Answer 1

I like them both. I think they both have great value. I used both in my classroom.

The 60's version is more accurate to the play and to the period. The acting and direction are superb. These young actors, playing it straight, put absolutely realistic emotion into scenes and circumstances that were so far removed from their own world. You can believe that they ARE Romeo and Juliet.

The 90's version makes the play more "relevant" to our modern world, and there's nothing wrong with that. That's what makes Shakespeare the classic playwright he is--his work "translates" through the ages. However, though both are very good, both DiCaprio and Danes play the roles with more craft than authenticity. The soundtrack is crucial to moving the plot and the characterization--something Shakespeare took care of pretty well himself, thank you.

Using both promoted critical thinking in my classroom, an opportunity I always appreciated.

Answer 2

The 1960's version is indeed more accurate. The version produced in the nineties was for entertainment to the under 21 crowd and lacked the subtlety of the story.

Answer 3

Sorry, I haven't seen the 1960s one, but the semi-modern one with Leo in just doesn't work for me.
It has moments of reasonable acting but changing the location and none of the dialog means you have people spouting late-16th century English on the set of Baywatch in a most surreal way! There's still room for a good one to be made.....

Answer 4

I like the 1990s one better and not just because of Leo but yeah thats HUGE plus lol. When that movie came out I bought it as soon as I could and watched it soo much I knew the lines by heart.

Answer 5

Defiantly the 60's Version.

Answer 6

I liked them both, but honestly prefer the 1968 movie. I like to see modern adaptations of Shakespeare, but the breathtaking beauty of the original still ranks number 1 with me.

Answer 7

Zefferelli's direction plus a 17 year old Olivia Hussey? th 60's

Answer 8

I like the Brady Bunch version.

Answer 9

i liked the old version too, but the newer version had much more updated drama, loved the part of claire danes pulling the gun to her head with the gun! Great actress

Answer 10

I do not believe that William Shakespeare intended drive by shootings as a literary tool when he wrote it. Sometimes the purity of a play needs to be left intact.