Comparing Baz Luhrmann's Romeo And Juliet

The “Romeo and Juliet” 1996 film co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, is the adaptation from the William Shakespeare’s Play “Romeo and Juliet” of late 1590’s. The screenplay is written by Craig Pearce in early 1990’s. The success of adaptation depends on how the director visualize through his ideas. Baz Luhrmann has cut the dialogue by almost one-third but its essence has been kept intact (Gyde, July 1997). The costume has been designed well to illuminate an important element of the character. The guns have replaced the word “daggers” or “swords”, and expensive cars have been used in the screenplay. Musically, audiences are provided with modern hip-hop, electric guitars sound effects and chorus chanting a direct translation of play’s prologue. Few plot details have been shifted, most notable towards the end. The location of the film is set at Verona Beach, Florida in the United States of America instead of original setting at Verona in Italy. The movie portrays Leonardo Dicaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as …show more content…
In the tragedy death scene (Act 5 Scene 3), Juliet is placed amongst the dark and cold tomb of deceased of Capulet families whereas in Baz Luhrmann’s version, Juliet is kept in the beautiful Saint Peter’s Church surrounded with colourful flowers and hundreds of candle lights. It is obvious from the movie that the romantic death scene is being created. In the play, Juliet awakens to find both Romeo and Paris dead whereas in the movie, Romeo dies in her arms and Paris is not seen around. In the movie, as Romeo in agony announcing his intent to kill himself and put her wedding rings on Juliet’s finger, she begins to rouse and shake her fingers. Suspense builds as Romeo opens the potion; Juliet opens her eyes and sees him. The modern audiences then scream in frustration as Romeo swallows the potion and Juliet touches his cheek. Later Juliet kills herself with his gun instead of