After the prologue is read out, the camera zooms through the city showing a vast divide. The camera rests at a point where the divide can be closely observed. The movement and speed of the camera makes it feel like we, as the audience are flying through the city. It is almost like a gaming experience. I think the reason Baz Luhrmann has decided to shoot the scene like this is so we can observe the two parts to the city closely and probably to show that Verona is a very busy city.
The effect of what next is also massive. On a huge black screen in white bold letters is written “in fair Verona”. This creates a very good contrast and also helps show the divide between Montagues’ and Capulets’. The black and white colours could symbolise the two houses. The colours black and white are probably used because they stand out from each other like how Montagues and Capulets’ are.
On the other hand the colour white could also represent the city of Verona as being pure. The black colour could represent Montagues’ and Capuleets’ as the plague which is destroying the city. The colour black creates a sinister atmosphere.
There is another great example of the separation and feud between the two families in the next frame. Again the shot shows two parts to the city. Buildings, Skyscraper of Montague and Capulet on either side help to prove this point. In the centre of the two buildings stands the giant statue of Jesus, which is there probably to show that religion is separating them. This is ironic because religion is though to bring people together. However the statue itself has scaffolding around it, symbolising that religion is not as strong as it used to be. The image of the skyscrapers appeals to the modern audience because we are used to seeing them in cities and we understand the power struggles between financial giants.
The image shown in the next frame is of a police car with Verona Beach written on the side. This is effective because Baz Luhrmann obviously modified his version by adding a car, which was definitely not used in Shakespeare’s original. He also changes the name to Verona Beach instead of Verona, which is a modern name and the name of a certain place rather than the city itself. Baz Luhrmann’s inclusion of a police car has made it even more appealing to the modern audience because we are used to seeing them every time trouble starts somewhere. In this case it is the famous feud between Montagues’ and Capulets’.
Baz Luhrmann then goes on to add a Helicopter to show the seriousness of the events that have occurred. The Helicopter again is appealing to the modern audience because at the time a Helicopter would definitely not have been used and we are also used to seeing these. Helicopters are often called upon when the situation gets totally out of hand. Baz Luhrmann situation gets totally out of hand. Baz Luhrmann adds the Helicopter to show severe violence. The violence relates back to the feud between Montagues’ and Capulets’. Helicopters are used to maintain the peace and quiet within the city and also to keep it under control.
Baz Luhrmann then shows evidence that the feud of montagues’ and capulets’ is destroying the city. He uses a frame to show buildings being burnt down. The fire symbolises rage, terror, and chaos. All this helps to prove that Montague and Capulet are indeed destroying the peace and quiet of the city by feuding.
In the next frame Baz Luhrmann decides to use a modern form of media by using newspapers to show the rivalry. The newspaper headlines make it seem like they are two huge opponents. Baz Luhrmann’s idea of using modern day newspapers appeals to the modern audience because every major event nowadays appears in newspapers. Baz Luhrmann uses a number of different newspapers which he changed the names of but still is able to retain the original story. He also selected the title of the newspapers, one of them being “the Verona Beach Herald”.
He(Baz Luhrmann)also uses original text to make up his headlines. e.g “CIVIL BLOOD MAKES CIVIL HANDS UNCLEAN”. This headline is from the prologue itself and by putting it as a headline makes it a good technique of Luhrmann’s because he uses modern day newspapers to translate their grudge and rivalry.
The following frame shows a police officer running towards the Scene of crime with his held high. This shows that the troubles are so great that the police are having to resort to violence in order to keep the peace. The police are again used, to make it appeal to the modern audience and makes us understand the extend of the unrest in this city.
Again a huge black screen appears but this time written is “A pair of star cross’d lovers”. This writing is from the original text. It relates to the son and daughter of Montague and Capulet. The colours again show a divide. Next another frame similar to this appears written “Take Their Life”. This again relates to Romeo and Juliet who took their won lives to keep the peace between their houses. The T in this text Symbolises religion which plays role in their lives. This could also show that religion has driven them apart.
When introducing the characters Baz Luhrmann adds first names to the Montagues’ and Capulets to Modernise it a bit. In this frame is a picture of Dave Paris, the governor’s son who the Capulet family want Juliet to marry. The introduction of the Character is very neatly done. Baz Luhrmann uses Juxtaposition when he doesn’t include the introduction of the main characters. The exclusion of Romeo and Juliet leaves the audience guessing and wondering what they are going to look like. Obviously they’d have to be good looking to play the main characters in a modern film aimed at Teenage audience. So the audience will easily recognise them when they appear.
Baz Luhrmann uses fireworks after Romeo and Juliet’s meeting to show immediate attraction between them and the excitement and confusion. At the beginning when Tybalt points the gun at the little kid, it shows that little kids are also involved in this feud. At the title ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the cross is there to show that religion is separating them. The soundtrack at the beginning is classical music and gives the impression that a war is taking place. It clearly suits the prologue, it is dramatic and operatic, it accompanies the scenes effectively.
