Romeo and Juliet

Synopsis: Feature film adaptation of the play. An attempt to unite Shakespeare with the Italian neo-realist school of film-making, with attractive location photography, and naturalistic crowd scenes. The text is heavily cut, sometimes to the detriment of sense and comprehension. The British leads did not match the ambitions of the film - an unknown Juliet and an ill-at-ease Laurence Harvey as Romeo.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain; Italy
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1954
Duration: 12,447; 138 feet

Director

Renato Castellani

Producer

Joseph Janni; Sandro Ghenzi

Cinematographer

Writer

Music

Costume

Cast

Notes: The Folger Shakespeare Library holds a post-production script, American version, dated 8 October 1954. Birmingham Shakespeare Library holds a typescript. The New York Public Library holds a shooting script.

Released on DVD in the UK in 2007 after a long time of being unavailable. Released on Blu-ray 2011.
General: "British cinemagoers who may have come away disappointed could at least relax at home with the film’s exclusive promotional accessories: couples could sit back on a couch covered in ‘the Romeo and Juliet fabric’ ; women could ease their tired feet into a pair of ‘Romeo and Juliet slippers’, available in black, red or emerald at 39 shillings a pair" (Daniel Rosenthal, Shakespeare On Screen.)
Awards: Grand Prix, Venice Film Festival 1954. Best Director.

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