The first scene starts with a confrontation between the two gangs (the Montague’s and Capulet’s), once again the viewer will get the message that there is a bad history between the two families (because of the prologue).
In the opening scenes we are aware that each car and gun of each character has the crest or badge of which family they belong to, like a tribe they’ll defend their family whatever happens, this also adds to the fact of a battle- like experience. The modern version highlights the certain characters who belong to the family. It takes a and they try to make their clothes different to each other, even down to the colour of their eyes, and distinctive of the general public for example, the Montague boys attend wearing Hawaiian style shirts and the Capulet boys are demonised, wearing black, even cowboys style clothes (e.g. Tybalt’s boots) but both these outfits have one thing in common, they stand out. I think that the outfits of each gang symbolise the leader. Benvolio seems to be an easygoing person who isn’t too keen on violence, and this is reflected by his Hawaiian shirt however Tybalt, leader of the Capulet boys is outfitted in dark, menacing looking garments which symbolise his personality, he is easily intimidated and violent. Some of the more interesting moments in the scene are showed in slow motion (for example when he drops the match, it is done in slow motion and then the gas is set alight). This attempts to make the scene more dramatic and significant and make the film more exciting for the observer; it does signify that this first meeting is the start of the momentous feuding to take place. Various comments in the play are emphasised greatly, there can be uncanny silences after essential comments or echoing effects so that the viewer can make a mental note, that that was an vital line of speech. During the scene, the camera focuses and does close-ups of religious objects or signs. When the Capulet moves his hand towards his “sword”, it reveals his jacket, which bears Jesus on it. One of them also have the cross shaved at the back of his head. It is strange how The Capulets seem to have such strong faith, yet they start the violence and show no remorse, even Tybalt says “ Peace? Peace? I hate the word”. This goes against everything religion is based on.
We begin with “The Montague Boys” in their bright yellow car. The first thing we are shown is a close up of the number plate. In the background, American style rock music is being played. Everything about them contrasts drastically with “The Capulets”. This tries to show how completely different the two families are. As the Capulets navy car pulls into the petrol garage, we also get a close-up of their number plate. As Tybalt steps out the car, the camera does a close-up of his shoes and works there way up slowly. This implies that this is a powerful figure and isn’t easily intimidated. Also, the music played at this moment in the scene is Spaghetti Western. This is normally played when danger is approaching or something is about to happen. This music creates tension and suspense. I noticed that the camera never put the two families together in one shot, they were always shot separately. We are yet again reminded that they are completely different when there is a close-up of their eyes to show extreme emotion. One of the Montague boys had blue eyes and a terrified look on his face, whilst Tybalt’s eyes are dark and mysterious with a menacing, threatening facial expression. It is located in a Petrol garage. I think that this setting was chosen because it can be thought of as a dangerous place and anything could be liable to happen. It creates more tension and anticipation. The scene moves fast whilst the camera does quick shots and slows down to emphasise on certain movements and actions. There is a chase until Benvolio and Tybalt are both aiming their guns at each other surrounded by press and helicopters. In the background, Italian operatic music is being played until it gets louder and reaches a climax, to which later goes silent. Before this happens, we get another close-up of the intense expressions on their faces and as they raise their guns, they are finally in the same shot together. As the music builds up to its climax and stops, in slow motion the two rivals drop their guns with an echo. This is all done to make the scene more dramatic.
The Zefferelli film displays conflict in a slightly different manor to the Modern version. The tension between the two families seems to be more verbal as sarcastic comments are said such as ‘ I do bite my thumb sir, but not at you sir’. The prologue begins with a brief introduction of slowly paced music that then breaks into firm but slow spoken narrating. In a way the Zefferelli prologue is very clever. Verona comes across as a quiet, normal city in the morning but when the Montague and Capulets are on the streets all hell brakes loose. This shows what the two families are capable of doing and that conflict is present on the streets. The narrator seems to clearly express the family names, this maybe showing the audience the importance of their heritage, status and roll in the film. There are some obvious points of conflict such as when the two families meet in the town square. However the forthcoming comments seem to be sarcastic as they verbally try to disrespect each other’s family reputation. When the eventual fight breaks out a very intriguing thing happens. Like a football match, the public and people who maybe related or obscurely related to either family join in the fight, almost like they support different families, this in my view is quite perplexing. Important quotes are presented in a different way for example, when an crucial point is made there will be a silence after it or a reaction from the surrounding crowd, who in some of the situations make things worse as they try to encourage the possible fight to break out. As act one begins it clearly shows that the Capulets roaming the streets like they are the authority and when the meet the Montague’s they begin to provoke each other. This gives the viewer an idea that both the families take their reputation with pride.
There are many different ways to how each film presents conflict, the modern version presents conflict using more effects and they seem to dramatise more situations by adding build up and even media built up, for example, after the opening fight of the film they show footage on the television. The Zefferelli seems to build up situations using the public for example when a big fight scene was brewing the public seemed to flee this gave the observer an idea that there was something big waiting to happen.
