One of my fave shorts is the 1908 Italian version done by Mario Caserini while the first attempt at adapting the entire play for film in 1911 by director Barry O’Neill is a valiant effort that falls flat, leading one to prefer the filming of play productions such as the 1924 balcony scene at the Regent Theatre which marked the “film debut” of John Gielgud. Having seen well over 100 incarnations of the story, including shorts that showcase only specific scenes, this ROMEO & JULIET is by far my personal favorite presentation, surpassing the acclaimed 1968 Zeffirelli version as well as George Cukor’s 1936 take starring Norma Shearer as Juliet. Bringing the grandeur and majesty of Shakespeare and the legendary story of star-crossed love to life in this luminous version is nothing short of golden – – as in Oscar gold. With well over 150 adaptations and imaginations of what is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous, and definitely most adapted, work on screen, director Carlo Carlei’s new ROMEO & JULIET is, in a word, masterful.
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