Compare the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet in two contrasting forms.

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English coursework 07/05/2007 08:03

Edward Darbyshire 11G

English Media assignment.

In this assignment I am going to compare the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet in two contrasting forms. The First is the Baz Lurmann film which was completed in 1997 and was very controversial because it was a very modern interpretation of a well known and much loved classic play. I will then compare it with the standard text of the play, attempting to analyse how they differ and which I find to be the best.  

The Baz Lurmann production of Romeo and Juliet brings the play very much into the 20th century. Being set in Verona Beach, a suburb of Modern day Los Angeles. The production is characterised by speed, movement and music on a vast scale. The production is clearly at the present time as we are introduced to the prologue by an American newsreader, the television screen occupying the centre of an otherwise empty screen. After this the camera action begins to erupt into a sequence of breathtaking scenes. The camera is mounted on a helicopter and there is constant change of focus zooming in on individual buildings and zooming out to show the amazing sprawl of a modern American city. One of the most memorable images of this sequence is a view of a massive statue of Christ, which reminds us of history and of the position of religion in the play. This image is the only one we see that could have been included in both the first production and this one.

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The speed that the images change makes us feel that this is a modern context and this is emphasized by the use of music. At times the music is choral with orchestral backing and is on a huge scale. This adds to the feeling of impending doom and great events to come.

When we first see the ‘ Montague Boy’s’ they are driving along in an open top American car. They are shown as unpleasant hoodlums in a typical American style. An interesting detail is the number plate of the car, which bears the name Verona Beach. Although the background ...

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