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 .
Review of Romeo and Juliet
