In Luhrmann's film the prologue is read twice. During the second time we see a family tree, with Jesus between the two families. This makes the viewer ask if Jesus/Religion has power over the families or do the families have power over the church. As the man says the prologue the second time we see each line as newspaper headings saying how no one got away with anything and how everything was publisicised. When Fathers Montague and Capulet are on screen we see a police car, showing how closely monitored this rivalry is.
In Zeffirelli's film both families meet up on horse, in the centre of Verona. This depicts Verona of old and shows how they were higher up and richer then everyone else. In Luhrmann's film both families meet up at a petrol station and they are in cars. I think the petrol symbolises the extremely flammable relationship between these two families.
The costume is very important in the film to be able to distinguish between the Montagues and the Capulets. Zeffirelli and Luhrmann choose contradictory designs for each family in order to emphasise the rivalry between them. Zeffirelli makes the Capulets look a bit like jesters to show their more relaxed lifestyle. The Montagues wear the more sombre dress. Luhrmann does almost the opposite with the Montagues wearing beach dress and the Capulets wearing black. This has a lot of symbolism and the beach dress represents a fun, irresponsible and vulnerable lifestyle. The black dress symbolises evil which reminds us of the mafia.
In Zeffirelli's film, Zeffirelli recreates Verona as Shakespeare sees, using more traditional dress and the more realistic setting of Tuscany. Luhrmann creates a modern day Verona with skyscrapers and petrol stations and was filmed in Mexico.
When we first see Tybalt in Zeffirelli's film the camera moves from his feet to his head symbolizing his dominance. When we see Tybalt in Luhrmann's film he crushes a cigarette with his heel, symbolizing suppressed violence. In Luhrmann's film the nuns receive obscene gestures from both the Capulet and Montague boys showing that the families don’t care about religion, which shows that they thought of themselves as better then everyone else, although religion is the only thing which may have power of the families.
In Luhrmann's film before the fight breaks out we see Tybalt point the gun at a child, telling us that the families are only worried about themselves. When Benvolio is injured in the Luhrmann film he is injured with a gunshot and seems ready to fight. When he is injured in Zeffirelli’s film he tries to keep peace before fighting and is injured with a sword. For Luhrmann to show the fiery, sinister image he uses a petrol sign that says ‘Add more fuel to your fire.’ It is shown slowly and lots of times to emphasize its importance.
Zeffirelli uses a lot of overhead shots in this first scene to put the scene into perspective. Before the prince arrives on the scene the church bells ring. The ringing of the church bells is ominous and is associated with death. The spectator feels close to the action.
The fight in Zeffirelli's film begins with an overhead shot and then the camera zooms in. The sword fight is also drawn out. In Luhrmann's film the fight is quick. After the fight in Zeffirelli's film vegetables are thrown at the camera to give a 3D image.
One of the essential differences in the films is the look and producers vision of the prince. In Luhrmann's film the Prince is the chief of police and arrives in a police car. In Zeffirelli's film the prince is the actual prince and arrives on horseback. When the prince arrives in Zeffirelli's film we hear a trumpet, when the prince arrives in Luhrmann's film we hear a siren. Both films use a powerful sound to prepare you for the prince’s announcement.
In Luhrmann's film the prince’s announcement about the fight is done in a court room hearing, to enhance the modernity. In Zeffirelli's the sentence is given in front of all the people by the prince to put them down and show that they weren’t better then everyone else and treated as equals.
When we see Romeo in Luhrmann's film he is smoking a cigarette and sunlight is beaming through the arch by Verona beach and shining on him. He is smoking a cigarette and writing poetry looking calm and peaceful. When we see him in Zeffirelli's film he is holding flowers. Both producers show Romeo as a peace loving individual, to make you think he would cause no harm to anyone.
Zeffirelli's film focuses on the language and tries to remain true to the book. It is a harder film to understand. Luhrmann's film focuses on the audio and visual effects. It is not as true to the book but has effects that help the spectator gain a better understanding of the film.
I prefer the Luhrmann film as it is more exciting and has more action. It focuses on the more exciting parts of the book and exaggerates on them. It is easier on the mind. It relates to me because I am also a teenager living in today’s contemporary society.
