Comparing Zeffirelli's Romeo And Juliet

If Romeo and Juliet can be summed up in one line, that line would be, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” which perfectly portrays the tragic romance of the two lovers (Shakespeare 33??) Many films since this line has been written have been created in honor of the famous play, such as Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann's. Zeffirelli's version of the story more accurately portrays Shakespeare’s original intent with setting, dialogue, and costumes identical to those imagined when one reads it. The setting of Zeffirelli’s version more accurately portrays Shakespeare’s intent. Zeffirelli's version took place in a large courtyard of an enormous home, and looks to be representative of the time in which the story took place. Luhrmann’s version takes place in a modern courtyard with a swimming pool and an elevator. Zeffirelli's version also takes place at night and is darkly lit by the moon, stars, and windows of the home. In the latter version, Romeo steps into the courtyard and it immediately hums to life with modern electric lighting, contrary to the time in which the original story took place. Not only does the setting of Zeffirelli’s version better portray the story, but the dialogue does as well. …show more content…
Although Zeffirelli’s version of the story picks and chooses from the script of Romeo and Juliet, it completely copies what it does use. Luhrmann’s version does use more of the script, but it also interjects some added lines not in the original script such as, “By and by I come,” when Juliet replies to the Nurse. Also, Zeffirelli’s version copies the accent of speech used by the English at that time. Luhrmann’s version uses the scripts language, but a modern accent, throwing the audience off. Zeffirelli’s version better portrays the dialogue of the story, as well as the