Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2075 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-02-09
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dolby, Limited Edition, PAL, Surround Sound
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 115 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom) takes a shot at reinventing Shakespeare's story of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet as a visual pastiche inspired by MTV imagery, Hong Kong action-picture clichés, and Luhrmann's own taste for deliberate, gaudy excess. The result is explosive chaos, both in terms of bullets and visual sensibility, which some may find impossible to stick with for more than a few minutes. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes play the leads, though not with much distinction, while Pete Postlethwaite makes a huge impression as this movie's version of Friar Laurence. The film is successful in spots, but overall its fever-dream game plan is difficult to ride out. --Tom Keogh

Synopsis
An adaptation of William Shakespeare's love story 'Romeo And Juliet' retold in a futuristic Verona.

Customer Reviews

stunning film - you MUST see it
Possibly the most original, imaginitive piece of film-making ever, this film uses Shakespeare's original text but makes it sound completely natural and understandable. The cast are wonderful and Luhrmann's direction has to be seen to be believed. If you liked Moulin Rouge you'll LOVE this - and if you haven't seen Moulin Rouge yet, buy that too!

Dizzy and exciting adaptation
The director Baz Luhrmann (bizarrely the same guy who did the 'Sunscreen' song last year!) has created a totally modern version of the Shakespeare play with this film. He sticks faithfully to the story, retains the original language and doesn't cut many of the scenes. The modern elements come in the form of a rousing dance and indie soundtrack, choreographed street fighting that outdoes 'West Side Story' and a non-stop barrage of colourful sets and costumes. Clare Danes and Leonardo manage their lines without too much mumbling, but they don't acquit themselves as well as stage-trained actors like Pete Postlethwaite as the priest. All in all, I think this is a cool and effective rendering of Romeo and Juliet. They even stick to the original unhappy ending!

I'll drag thee to a hurdle thither
Forget the Shakespeare; this is a damn good film in its own right - if a record is going to be covered or a film of a classic drama made, then it ought to be done as differently as possible; there are plenty of faithful adaptations of The Bard's most famous play if that's what you want - hats off to Baz Luhrmann for being bold enough to reinvent the classic story of star-crossed lovers. Great performances (especially Harold Perrineau as the mercurial (geddit?) Mercutio, and Claire Danes as a stunning Juliet. Deserves five stars and gets 'em.