Let's be honest – when someone mentions "Romeo and Juliet," what pops into your head? For many of us, it's that iconic 1968 film with the young lovers on the balcony, the golden Italian sunlight, and those unforgettable costumes. I remember watching it for the first time in my high school English class (Mrs. Henderson’s room, third period). Half the class was dozing until the sword fight scene jolted everyone awake. That’s the magic of this version – it grabs you when you least expect it.
What makes the Romeo and Juliet 1968 film stand out after 50+ years? It’s the rare combination of Franco Zeffirelli's authentic vision, teenage leads who actually look like teenagers, and settings that make you feel the heat of Verona. You don't just watch this movie; you step into Renaissance Italy.
Behind the Camera: Zeffirelli’s Radical Vision
Director Franco Zeffirelli did something crazy for 1968: he cast actual teenagers as the leads. Revolutionary, right? Previous versions used actors in their 30s (looking at you, 1936 Norma Shearer version). Zeffirelli wanted raw teenage passion, not polished Hollywood acting. He reportedly told 15-year-old Olivia Hussey (Juliet): "I don't want acting. I want you to be her."
The filming locations? Absolutely mind-blowing. They used actual 14th-century spots in Italy:
- Juliet’s House: Palazzo Borghese in Tuscany (not Verona’s tourist trap balcony)
- Market scenes: Piazza del Campo in Siena
- Friar Laurence’s cell: Romanesque Abbey of San Galgano
Costume designer Danilo Donati deserved every award he got. Those velvet doublets and brocade gowns weren’t rented – they were hand-stitched using Renaissance techniques. Total cost: about $600,000 (over $5 million today). Worth every penny when you see Juliet’s gold-embroidered wedding dress.
"Zeffirelli made Shakespeare feel dangerous again. The knife fights in dusty piazzas, teenagers sneaking kisses – this wasn't your grandmother's period piece." – Michael, film studies professor from NYU (met him at a cinema conference last year)
Controversy That Shocked 1968 Audiences
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the bedroom scene. For 1968 standards, it was scandalous. Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting performed partially nude under opaque sheets, but conservative groups lost their minds. Some US theaters even cut the scene. Honestly? Watching it today, it’s incredibly tasteful – just two young actors conveying intimacy without exploitation. The real controversy was the age factor: Hussey was 16 during filming, Whiting 17. In today’s context, that casting would spark Twitter wars.
Meet the Cast: Then vs. Now
| Character | Actor (1968) | Age During Filming | Where Are They Now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juliet | Olivia Hussey | 16 | Retired from acting, lives quietly in California (last seen in 2018's "Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad" voice role) |
| Romeo | Leonard Whiting | 17 | Left acting in 1980s, became antique furniture restorer in France |
| Tybalt | Michael York | 26 | Active career ("Austin Powers" films, voice work) |
| Nurse | Pat Heywood | 37 | Still acts in UK theatre at 93 years young |
Fun fact: Zeffirelli found Hussey and Whiting through open auditions. Hussey beat 500+ girls – not because of experience (she’d only done one film), but because of those huge, expressive eyes. Whiting? Pure luck. He accompanied a friend to auditions and got spotted in the waiting room. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!
Personal confession: Mercutio steals every scene he’s in. John McEnery’s performance during the Queen Mab speech? Chef’s kiss. He makes Shakespeare’s complex language feel like playground banter. Wish we’d seen more of him in later films.
Where to Watch the 1968 Romeo and Juliet Today
Searching for this classic? Availability changes monthly, but here’s the current landscape:
| Platform | Format | Price | Special Features | Video Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime | Rental/Purchase | $3.99 rental $14.99 purchase |
None (barebones version) | HD (1080p) |
| Criterion Channel | Streaming | $10.99/month | Zeffirelli commentary, 2006 interviews | Restored 4K |
| Apple TV | Purchase only | $14.99 | Theatrical trailer only | HD (1080p) |
| Physical Media | Blu-ray (2020) | $25-$35 | Behind-the-scenes docs, deleted scenes | 4K UHD |
Pro tip: The Criterion Collection release is worth the splurge. The 4K restoration makes the gold fabrics and Italian sunlight look jaw-dropping. Found my copy at a used bookstore for $15 – best money I ever spent.
Warning: Avoid the "Special Edition" DVDs from early 2000s. The cropping butchers Zeffirelli’s compositions. How do I know? Bought one by mistake on eBay. Total disappointment.
Classroom Experience vs. Home Viewing
Watching Romeo and Juliet 1968 in class? Teachers love it because it’s (mostly) faithful to the text. But home viewing reveals details you’ll miss in a noisy classroom:
- Sound design: Listen for church bells echoing during quiet moments – foreshadowing the tragic end
- Facial expressions: The close-up on Juliet’s face when she says "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" breaks my heart every time
- Score secrets: Nino Rota reused his famous love theme from this in "The Godfather" (listen to "A Time for Us" then "Godfather Waltz")
Digging Into the Famous Scenes
Let’s break down why three moments still give viewers chills:
The Balcony Scene (Act 2, Scene 2)
Filmed at golden hour in Tuscany. No artificial lighting. Hussey later admitted she was terrified – that balcony was 15 feet up with no safety rail! Whiting had to climb a real ivy vine. Took 4 nights to shoot because clouds kept ruining the light. Result? Pure magic. The chemistry feels real because... well, they were awkward teens. You can see Whiting’s hands shake when he touches hers.
Sword Fight at Mercutio’s Death (Act 3, Scene 1)
Choreographed by Olympic fencer Bill Hobbs. York (Tybalt) trained for weeks. The dagger flip Tybalt does? Totally improvised – McEnery’s shocked reaction is genuine. They used real (blunted) steel weapons. When Tybalt stabs Mercutio, that sickening thud sound? A crew member hit a watermelon with a baseball bat off-camera.
Tomb Scene (Act 5, Scene 3)
Filmed in an actual Etruscan tomb near Viterbo. Temperature: 45°F (7°C). Hussey lay on that stone slab for hours in a thin dress. Her stillness isn’t acting – she was freezing! The flickering candlelight? Real candles. Fire marshals were on set constantly. Worth it for that haunting final shot of the dead lovers’ hands almost touching.
Fun Fact: That famous close-up of Romeo’s blue eyes as he dies? Zeffirelli used a mirror to reflect light onto Whiting’s face because the tomb was too dark. Low-tech movie magic at its best.
1968 vs. Modern Adaptations: How They Stack Up
| Feature | 1968 Version | 1996 Luhrmann (DiCaprio) | 2013 Broadway (Orlando Bloom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authenticity | Real Italian locations, period costumes | Modern Miami/Vegas aesthetic | Stage sets, contemporary costumes |
| Language | Full Shakespearean text | Edited text + modern slang | Mostly original text |
| Age Accuracy | Teen leads (16 & 17) | DiCaprio (21), Danes (17) | Bloom (36), Condo (24) |
| Cultural Impact | Defined visual style for generations | Made Shakespeare "cool" for 90s teens | Short Broadway run (93 shows) |
| Weaknesses | Slow pacing in first act | Style over substance critiques | Lacked chemistry between leads |
Hot take: The 1996 version gets credit for being innovative, but Zeffirelli’s approach feels richer emotionally. When Juliet wakes in the tomb, Claire Danes plays it hysterical. Hussey? Just a quiet gasp and trembling lips. More devastating, in my opinion.
Why Teachers Prefer the 1968 Romeo and Juliet
As a former substitute teacher, I’ve screened both versions in class. Here’s why educators lean toward the 1968 film:
- Text clarity: Actors speak slower, making Shakespeare’s language more accessible
- Historical immersion: Visually teaches Renaissance Italy better than textbooks
- Less distractions: No flashy edits or guns replacing swords (looking at you, Luhrmann)
- Rating safety: PG vs. PG-13 for the 1996 version (that drug-induced scene worries parents)
Downside? Some students find the first hour "boring." My solution? Start with the sword fight scene (Act 3, Scene 1) to hook them, then rewind.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 1968 Classic
Q: Is the Romeo and Juliet 1968 film faithful to Shakespeare's play?
A: Mostly. It cuts about 40% of the text (standard for film adaptations) but keeps key soliloquies. Biggest change? Removing Rosaline entirely. Zeffirelli felt it streamlined Romeo’s shift from infatuation to real love.
Q: Why does Juliet look older than 13?
A: Because Olivia Hussey was 16, not 13. Shakespeare’s Juliet is disturbingly young for modern audiences. Zeffirelli aged her up slightly while retaining youthfulness. Smart compromise.
Q: Was there real controversy about the nude scene?
A: Major controversy. The Catholic Church condemned it, and some countries censored it. Today it lasts 1 minute 20 seconds and shows only backs/sides. Hussey defended it: "It was done tastefully. We were protected."
Q: Where can I visit the filming locations?
A> Most sites are open to tourists:
- Juliet’s House: Palazzo Borghese in Artena, Italy (day trip from Rome)
- Church wedding: Pienza Cathedral in Tuscany
- Tomb: Etruscan tombs near Tarquinia (tour by appointment)
"People travel to Verona expecting our film locations. I tell them – go south! Our Verona was a patchwork of Tuscany and Lazio." – Gianni, Italian film location guide (met during my 2019 Italy trip)
Legacy and Impact You Can’t Ignore
Let’s get real – this movie shaped how we visualize Romeo and Juliet more than any other version:
- Fashion: Juliet’s gowns sparked 1970s maxi-dress trends. Hussey’s braided hair? Copies flooded high school proms.
- Soundtracks: That theme song "What Is a Youth" hit #1 in Japan. It’s still played at weddings today.
- Pop culture: References in "Mad Men" (Don Draper watches it), "Moonrise Kingdom" (Balcony scene homage), even "The Simpsons" (S3E13 parody).
Academy Award wins? Two big ones:
- Best Cinematography (Pasqualino De Santis)
- Best Costume Design (Danilo Donati)
Plus nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. Lost to "Oliver!" – still a sore point for Zeffirelli fans.
Final thought: Modern adaptations try so hard to be edgy. But the Romeo and Juliet 1968 endures because it trusts the text and captures universal emotions. When Juliet whispers "Parting is such sweet sorrow," you feel that ache in your bones. That’s why after 55 years, we still press play.
Personal Verdict: Should You Watch It?
If you’re new to Shakespeare? Absolutely. This film eases you into the language with visual storytelling. For purists? Still essential – it influenced every adaptation since. Even if you normally hate period pieces, give it 30 minutes. The marketplace brawl alone rivals any superhero fight.
Confession: I’ve seen it 20+ times. The ending still makes me cry. My husband thinks I’m ridiculous. But when Juliet’s hand slides off the bed as she dies? Gets me every single time. That’s the power of Zeffirelli’s vision.
Where does it rank among Shakespeare films? Top 3, easy. Maybe #1 for pure emotional impact. Fight me, Laurence Olivier fans.
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