Romeo and Juliet

1954

2h 20m

Romance

List

80%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this classic Shakespearean story, long-time adversarial families the Capulets and the Montagues engage in a street brawl, which results in a decree declaring that the next conflict will be punishable by death. But during an opulent masked ball, young Romeo Montague (Laurence Harvey) falls in love with Juliet Capulet (Susan Shentall). With the family feud reignited, Juliet's cousin kills Romeo's friend, Mercutio (Ubaldo Zollo), placing the young lovers in grave danger.

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Herman G. Weinberg

Film Culture

As Shakespeare it seems flat, but as a reconstruction of Mantua and Verona of the 15th century it is extraordinarily handsome.

Jun 7, 2022

Full Review

Algirdas Landsbergis

Film Culture

The dramatically progressive sound track of the film drowns the sweetness of the gaillard motive with the ugly grating of the tombstone and eerie echoes inside the vault. It is one of a number of good things in this visually splendid film.

Mar 28, 2022

Full Review

Angie Errigo

Radio Times

Renato Castellani's classically elegant production was beautifully shot on location in Italy with jewel-bright design inspired by Renaissance paintings.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...an opulent-looking production, edited to accent the two main characters.

Rated: 6/10

May 4, 2011

Full Review

TV Guide

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Audience Member

Forgotten gem, overshadowed by the 1936, 1968 and 1996 film versions. This movie may jettison much of Shakespeare's text especially the characters of Mercutio, Tybalt and the Nurse but director Castellini was bringing the story more in line with the original 1530 Italian version of the story by Luigi Da Porto in which these characters don’t feature as much. The movie is sumptuously shot on location in Venice, Verona and Siena; and the visuals, costumes and set design are beautifully based on Renaissance paintings. The Capulet Ball is elegant and stunning. The movie is a treat for the eyes. Laurence Harvey is a poetic Romeo and Susan Shentall is an ethereal dreamy Juliet. Sebastian Cabot is an excellent Lord Capulet , Mervyn John is a radiant silly old Friar Laurence, the even wonderful Flora Robson is a delightful Nurse and Bill Travers is a dishy Benvolio. It may not be considered the best or most popular film of Romeo and Juliet by the popular masses but it’s certainly not the worst .

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Queen Mab scene is missing! I missed any real feeling of happiness between the young lovers before the real tragedy begins. Some stage-like acting here means story is viewed from a distance. But the costuming is stunning and the settings real. I wished Juliet hadn't been played so demurely. The actress always seems to have her gaze averted - is it true Joan Collins was originally to play the part? This actress is very Grace Kelly-like in looks. I enjoyed Mervyn Johns' Friar Lawrence. Zefferelli's magnificent version was another 15 or so years later.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Frances H

Perhaps this rendition would not seem so bad if one had not seen the Franco Zeffirelli and even the George Cukor version of the same play first. But having seen both of those prior to viewing this movie , this one seems rather pedestrian. Laurence Harvey gives a good performance, as do Flora Robson and Sebastian Cabot, but nothing can make up for the horrendous acting of Susan Shentall, who luckily was never heard from again. She reminded me of Carrie underwood in Sound of Music. Well, maybe not that bad, but a close second. She was pretty, and that's about all. Obviously, Catellani was infatuated with her. The use of actual scenes of Italy and color are good and make it a nice film to see once, but you won't be going back to it again and again, as one has to do with the Zeffirelli classic.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/15

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Audience Member

Beautiful costumes and fine scenes set, it's just I have been told the tragedy far too many times to make me care about what is going on.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

I guess this is one of the greatest love story ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love has no bounderies

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Renato Castellani

Director

Laurence Harvey

Romeo

Susan Shentall

Juliet

Flora Robson

Nurse

Mervyn Johns

Friar Laurence

Bill Travers

Benvolio

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73%

60%

The Passionate Friends

39%

44%

Maze

69%

57%

Forget Me Not

TRAILER

for Forget Me Not

17%

84%

Old Fashioned

0%

27%

Confession of a Child of the Century

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Synopsis

In this classic Shakespearean story, long-time adversarial families the Capulets and the Montagues engage in a street brawl, which results in a decree declaring that the next conflict will be punishable by death. But during an opulent masked ball, young Romeo Montague (Laurence Harvey) falls in love with Juliet Capulet (Susan Shentall). With the family feud reignited, Juliet's cousin kills Romeo's friend, Mercutio (Ubaldo Zollo), placing the young lovers in grave danger.

Director: Renato Castellani
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Runtime: 2h 20m

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