Does the Baz Luhrman film of Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet obscure or illuminate the text?

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Does the Baz Luhrman film of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet obscure or illuminate the text?

Alex Langley

In my essay I will set out to consider whether Mr Luhrmans masterpiece obscures or illuminates the original text of Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet. In 1992, film director Baz Luhrman set out to construct a modern day version of Romeo and Juliet. The blockbuster was set in modern day Mexico City. Luhrman used this urban setting as the original setting, Verona. The setting is proposed to remind viewers of a characteristic American city such as LA.

His aim was to establish a new audience to the excitements of Shakespeare by using a blend of dazzling imagery, music and action. Luhrman also uses a variety of professional techniques such as Montage and Juxtaposition.

“Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona where we lay our scene.”

The design of Shakespeare’s prologue is to acquaint the audience to the characters. In Luhrmans opening, the prologue is illustrated with media imagery. I feel this works well because it ties in with modern life. Luhrman also uses rapid cutting clips to draw in an action thrilled audience. It keeps the audience thrilled because of its prompt energetic movement.

Another technique used is repeating language to help the audience acclimatise to it. I feel this is and admirable idea because the most off-putting aspect of Shakespeare is often the language and by duplicating it, it gives the audience more chance of understanding it.

Another technique used is imagery of fire and newspaper headlines to show the conflict and hatred between the two houses.

The fire signals danger, rage and devastation, whilst the newspaper headlines show the conflict in a more apparent way. This illuminates Shakespeare text by alerting the audience to the clash between the two families.

From the very launch of the play and film, religious imagery is a key issue. The statue of Christ on top of the church and the emblem on Tybalts waistcoat are all signs of holy imagery.

The text of the play is also full of suggestions to religion, showing that Verona was a society that lived sternly by the rules of the church. Religion provided a formation to follow in a world without scientific answers.

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Modern America is a very religious country and hundreds of preachers use the media to get messages across. This religious imagery ties in well with the play but also with modern day America

When pulling up to the Gas station the Montague’s step out of the car in the theme of a western shoot – out. Western music is played as Tybalt steps on a cigarette wearing cowboy boots. This clarifies the facts that there is to be a shootout style fight.

When drawing the guns for action, the camera focal point is the bran name of the ...

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