Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet- Page 2

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:02am

I agree about Olivia! I haven't seen her in person, but her photos are gorgeous. (The above pic was taken this year at an awards ceremony. And that's her daughter.)

And yes, that's a much better pic of Leonard. I think he's aged quite well, actually.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:02am

Here's a recent pic of Olivia Hussey

She's has a new film to be released soon. Portraying the life of Mother Theresa.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:04am

Actually, it's already out on DVD.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:05am

I remember reading in Zeffirelli's autobiography that he felt sorry for Whiting, who's career never took off the way they'd hoped. He mentioned something about Whiting never following Zefferelli's advice (whatever that was).

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:06am

Is it my imagination, or is she starting to turn into Bebe Neuwirth?

She's 56 now! Not bad, lady.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:07am

"Actually, it's already out on DVD.

DVD? What's that? Is it anything like Betamax?

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:11am

Back in the day...

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:13am

"DVD? What's that? Is it anything like Betamax?"

NO, silly. It's what you wear under your clothing, of course!


I swear, when I first started working in the industry, people thought I was making underwear.

"It's D...VD, not BVD!" I would usually give up and just let them think I was working on skivvies.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:13am

Interesting, Dolly. I wonder what his advice was? I did read that he (Leonard) claimed the reason he "quit the business" in the 70's was due to his frustration in being typecast. Of course, my response to that sort of thing has always been, "Well, at least you're getting cast!"

b12b: Olivia does have a Bebe thing going on, doesn't she? And you're right, she is just STUNNING at 56. She was also in that move Tortilla Heaven that came out this year. I remember seeing the trailer for it.

[DG]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:20am

Mr. Whiting did go on to make a television adaptation of FRANKENSTEIN that was one of the very few that actually seemed to use the book as a starting point - and I still remember watching it in its original broadcast.

And as for R & J, I love watching it as a double-feature with BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON, which is how I originally saw both of them.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:21am

"NO, silly. It's what you wear under your clothing, of course!"

Ahhhhh...well if you have any samples I wear 29-30.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:41am

This is by far my favorite adaptation of the play. Sadly, my generation seems over-enthralled with the Leo/Claire one (which I could care less for). I remember watching it in my Pre-AP Freshman English class and one girl asking where the guns were....*headdesk*

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 10:52am

I remember watching it in my Pre-AP Freshman English class and one girl asking where the guns were....

Ack! Husk, that's just sad. I agree, this is my favorite version, as well. Followed by West Side Story. And although I don't particularly like the Romeo + Juliet one, either, if it gets even one kid into Shakepeare, then it's a good thing.

[DG]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:09am

A real highlight for me is John McEnery os Mercutio. His reading of the Queen Mab speech is still the best I've ever seen, in any kind of production.

And I'll be the first to cheer Franco's choice to highlight Mr. Whiting's beautiful body in the bedroom scene

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:15am

DG: You are absolutely right about John MeEnery! His Queen Mab speech is pretty freakin' amazing. Since I went to an all-girls' school, our drama teacher used to allow us to do any monologues we liked for class, regardless of gender, and I chose to do Queen Mab after seeing it done so magnificently in the film.

[ComaBaby01]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:36am

I'll be the first to say that while I adore this version, I also love the Leo/Claire version. I tend to really like modern adaptations of things, while still staying true to the original material. 10 Things I Hate About You is a good example.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:36am

Somehow I connect Leonard Whiting with THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN. Was it on Broadway or in the film version?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:40am

I just did a Google search and Whiting was in the film of ROYAL HUNT.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 1:08pm

Love this movie, the leads are absolutely how I envisioned both Romeo and Juliet to be. Michael York is incredible as well.

I do like the Claire and Leo version as well, but it just cannot compare to this version.

[Mamie]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 3:12pm

This wonderful film was released while I was in high school. I can close my eyes and listen to that beautiful music and immediately remember what it was like to be 16 and in love.

What is a youth? Impetuous fire.
What is a maid? Ice and desire.
The world wags on.

A rose will bloom
It then will fade
So does a youth.
So do-o-o-oes the fairest maid.

Comes a time when one sweet smile
Has its season for a while...Then love's in love with me.
Some they think only to marry, Others will tease and tarry,
Mine is the very best parry. Cupid he rules us all.
Caper the cape, but sing me the song,
Death will come soon to hush us along.
Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall.
Love is a task and it never will pall.
Sweeter than honey...and bitter as gall
Cupid he rules us all

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:31am

The success of ROMEO AND JULIET went straight to Whiting's head and, as noted, he started hitting the drugs and alcohol very, very hard, in effect cutting off what could have been a remarkable acting career. Yes, he's still around, but it took several years of getting his act together.

Please, people, insofar as his looks now, trust me: I'm not that shallow. I leave that to others, thank you.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:30pm

A most excellent version. Extremely beautiful.

Baz's gets a bad rap but it's pretty good too.

[Dark_Angel]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 3:29pm

I love the sexy poster. It's not blatantly lude... it gives you the hint they are naked in bed together without being gratuitous about it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 3:32pm

...because that would be child pornography. Both actors were under age!

*gasp*

[hannahshule]

Posted: 6/17/07 at 8:06pm

wow rated PG!
nowadays, with that bare butt shot and the fact that it's Shakespeare, do you think it'd still be PG, or PG-13?


PS. I'm not saying it SHOULD be PG-13, i'm just wondering in todays world...

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 08:06 PM