The Success of Baz Luhrmanns Romeo And Juliet - 1393 Words

The Success of Baz Luhrmanns Romeo And Juliet Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet was highly successful. The film sold millions at the box office and was well received by critics such as Paul Matthews who said that Romeo and Juliet was a, radical invention of a classic text. Although the film was released to late in the year to receive any awards, William Shakespeares Romeo + Juliet was and always will be considered a classic. The reason for the films success was because the film was made accessible to young people in a way that Shakespeare usually isnt by giving it modern location and using special effects. The film makers wanted to knock Shakespeare down and put him where he belongs which is†¦show more content†¦He cut the lines which cannot be transferred to 20th century context are cut such as the convocation between Romeo and the Apothecary, this convocation still takes place but in a much reduced way. Baz Luhrmann also cuts a lot of the complex imagery as it would not have been as appealing to a younger audience. Lu hrmanns version of the script is far more concise than the original and does not overwhelm the audience with too difficult language making the film far more successful with the younger viewers. Shakespeares script was written for a very basic set but the films setting was very elaborate so no complex imagery or soliloquies are needed as the setting speaks for its self. Baz Luhrmann made the Shakespearian play far more concise, slick and easier to understand which helped make the film be so successful. As I already mentioned in my introduction bringing the play up to date made the film highly successful. This is shown in almost every scene in the play. Its shown in the opening scenes to the movie when the Montague Boys arrive in a bright yellow car with modern music blaring out of the stereo. They almost look like college beach boys, with their Hawaiian shirts and baggy trousers. This was a very good way to start the film as it gave it a modern cool look which would be appealing to theShow MoreRelatedRomeo And Juliet Film Analysis1458 Words   |  6 Pagessimultaneously, and especially when adapting Shakespeare. William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet is an adaptation that has stirred much controversy since its release, and it’s easy to understand why. Critics deemed the film kitsch, tasteless, and even went as far as to dismiss it as â€Å"MTV Shakespeare† because of its fast-paced style and blatant advertisement in some of Shakespeare’s most important scenes. I thoroughly believe that Baz Luhrmann is attempting to get teenagers interested in Shakespeare by reducingRead MoreRomeo and Juliet - from Stage to Screen (on Baz Luhrmanns Cinematic Production))947 Words   |  4 PagesROMEO AND JULIET From stage to screen. (On Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic production) As far as the cinematography came into being, attempts have been made to screen some of the Shakespeare’s plays. Within these screenings ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has always been a graceful and rewarding theme. Rewarding figuratively and literary, as the producers could in fact acquire a great income due to the popularity of the film. Such was the case with the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ directed by Baz Luhrmann and screened inRead MorePost Modernism Of Baz Luhrmann s Film Adaptation Of William Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet3440 Words   |  14 PagesPost-modernism in Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet: a comparison of two creative works from two different periods. In 1996, Baz Luhrmann directed â€Å"Romeo + Juliet†, a modern twist on the famous tragedy play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare in 1597, in which the main characters Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet where portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. While some praise the strange interpretation of the old tale, there are also thoseRead MoreHow Baz Luhrmann Uses Props, Iconography, Costumes, and Settings to Create His Own Version of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet895 Words   |  4 PagesHow Baz Luhrmann Uses Props, Iconography, Costumes, and Settings to Create His Own Version of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare’s best loved tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, has been portrayed in theatres and on film in many different ways. But none have been quite like Baz Luhrmann’s imaginative and unconventional adaptation. He has brought aspects of the plays Elizabethan origins and transfused them with a modern day background and created, what can Read MoreCritical Analysis of the Opening Extract of Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet1107 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Analysis of the Opening Extract of Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet Baz Luhrmann has used the three presentational devices in a specific way in his film Romeo and Juliet. The point of this essay is to analyse them in the opening extract. The presentational devices are: sound; mise en scene; and cinematography. The elements of mise en scene are: why things are placed where they are; what the characters are wearing; body language and facial expression. Sound is quite Read MoreComparing Two Film Versions of Romeo and Juliet Essay2423 Words   |  10 PagesComparing Two Film Versions of Romeo and Juliet For this assignment I shall be comparing two film versions of Romeo and Juliet. The first one was directed by Franco Zefferelli in1968 and the most recent version in 1997 by baz Luhrmann. I will be comparing the opening scene (including the prologue) up to the end of the first fight between the two families. Before the directors even started filming they had toRead MoreHow to Account for the Success of Romeo and Juliet by Baz Luhrmann2153 Words   |  9 PagesHow to Account for the Success of Romeo and Juliet by Baz Luhrmann â€Å"The play re-worked for MTV.† This is just one of the many ways Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet has been described after the director dramatically changed the way the world sees Shakespeare. The controversial film shows us just how important Shakespeare still is no matter how you try to change it. The classic, original play will always be present in some way. The film’s success came with great publicityRead MoreAnalysis of Baz Luhrmanns Use of Cinematic Devices in the Opening Scenes of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet2183 Words   |  9 PagesAnalysis of Baz Luhrmanns Use of Cinematic Devices in the Opening Scenes of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Baz Luhrmanns 1997 film version of Romeo and Juliet is updated to the modern age while still retaining the original dialogue. The opening shots are unusual but highly affective. Luhrmann starts off with a static long shot focusing on a TV inRead MoreChrist Figures in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay3254 Words   |  14 PagesRomeo and Juliet as Christ Figures Introduction and Modern Interpretations Modern audiences have been reintroduced to William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet largely through modern film reinterpretations of the play. Many of these films, most notably Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet and John Madden’s 1998 Shakespeare in Love, have focused on the tragic destiny of these two star-crossed lovers. Seemingly, it is the destiny of Romeo and Juliet to commit suicide because theyRead MoreDà ©jà   Vu: Motifs of Hitler in Richard III(1995) and How They Help Modern Audience to Understand Shakespeare’s Richard1626 Words   |  7 PagesIt is not terribly odd to see directors adapt Shakespearian plays to a different era. In fact, contemporary elements in films like Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet and the most recent Much Ado About Nothing by Joss Whedon have definitely bring valuable new readings to the text. Embracing this trend, Richard III (1995) by Richard Loncraine shifts its background to 1930s Britain. Starring I an McKellen as Richard, the movie makes an undeniable connection to Nazi Germany; very details include costume