- Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau, Pete Postlethwaite
- Directors: Baz Luhrmann
- Writers: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce, William Shakespeare
- Producers: Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gabriella Martinelli, Jill Bilcock
- Format: PAL, Widescreen
- Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish, Icelandic, Finnish, Czech
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Fox
- DVD Release Date: 7 Feb 2000
- Run Time: 120 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004D31K
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 16,279 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom) takes a shot at reinventing Shakespeare's story of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet as a visual pastiche inspired by MTV imagery, Hong Kong action-picture clichés, and Luhrmann's own taste for deliberate, gaudy excess. The result is explosive chaos, both in terms of bullets and visual sensibility, which some may find impossible to stick with for more than a few minutes. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes play the leads, though not with much distinction, while Pete Postlethwaite makes a huge impression as this movie's version of Friar Laurence. The film is successful in spots, but overall its fever-dream game plan is difficult to ride out. --Tom Keogh
Amazon.co.uk Review
While perhaps not the defining moment in the making of Leonardo DiCaprio’s career, his appearance in this dazzling take on William Shakepeare’s Romeo & Juliet back in 1996 did the careers of both Clare Danes and himself no harm at all. Perhaps the real star of the show here though is director Baz Luhrmann, who employs a frenetic, at times downright-brilliant style to the age-old tale of tale of star-crossed lovers. Luhrmann would go on to make Moulin Rouge a few years’ later.
From the off, his take on Romeo & Juliet explodes unpredictably onto the screen, bubbling with vision and originality, accompanied throughout by an excellent score and soundtrack that rightly spawned two spin-off CDs. There are sacrifices made along the way to support Luhrmann’s vision though, with the text being stripped down to leave the core of the story in tact, and that’s just one of a number of complaints that Shakespeare purists may have.
And yet, perhaps more than any other attempt to bring the work of the Bard to the screen of late, this is an extremely accessible entry-point to Shakepeare’s work. That it’s also by turns breathtaking, dazzling and a sheer joy to watch doesn’t harm its cause either. The two leads are charming, the support cast backs them up superbly, and the end result is one of the most interesting visual treats that Hollywood mustered up throughout the 1990s.--Simon Brew
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I hear so many people say that this film 'butchered' Shakespeare but I strongly think otherwise. Prepare yourself to see a modern twist of the classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. It is a feast for the senses with lavish sets, a hip soundtrack, colorful costumes, and cutting edge direction. Leonardo and Claire give heart-wrenching performances. I think that Shakespeare would be pleased because this film really captures the raw teen-angst that the star-crossed lovers experienced. So, expect to see something different, and you just might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Okay so when you first begin to watch this movie your so close to branding it over dramatic, Americanised drivel. I'll admit it I nearly turned it off...then when Leo Dicaprio smoldered onto the screen and began versing in the perfect words of old Shaky himself I sat up and listened. Never could I imagine a better choice of a young brooding Romeo than he. He plays the role with youthful innocnce, passion and is just utterly captivating. Clare Danes wouldnt have been my perfect Juliet..granted, but she is fresh looking and truly beautiful and by the end of the movie I had warmed to her and her infectious smile. The chemisrty between these two is almost tangible its so real. What convincing and memorable preformances!
You must see this movie...its like marmite. Some will feel the that this film isnt a true reflection of the oridginal works and dismiss it as another dull remake. But in relaity its so much more than that. Its a modern take done on a true classic that keeps the spirit of these charaters alive and the story as tragicly heartbreaking as ever.
On a side note the soundtrack is perfect. The setting sets the tone amazingly well and the direction although sometimes over the top and a little silly (opening gas station scene) is pretty dam good.
You must see this movie...its like marmite. Some will feel the that this film isnt a true reflection of the oridginal works and dismiss it as another dull remake. But in relaity its so much more than that. Its a modern take done on a true classic that keeps the spirit of these charaters alive and the story as tragicly heartbreaking as ever.
On a side note the soundtrack is perfect. The setting sets the tone amazingly well and the direction although sometimes over the top and a little silly (opening gas station scene) is pretty dam good.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Forget the Shakespeare; this is a damn good film in its own right - if a record is going to be covered or a film of a classic drama made, then it ought to be done as differently as possible; there are plenty of faithful adaptations of The Bard's most famous play if that's what you want - hats off to Baz Luhrmann for being bold enough to reinvent the classic story of star-crossed lovers. Great performances (especially Harold Perrineau as the mercurial (geddit?) Mercutio, and Claire Danes as a stunning Juliet. Deserves five stars and gets 'em.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Blue - Ray DVD Review
Arrived in perfect condition brand new.
Very happy with the quality and very glad I bought this all time classic re-done in HD. It definitly makes a huge difference.
Very happy with the quality and very glad I bought this all time classic re-done in HD. It definitly makes a huge difference.
Published 24 days ago by Natasha
Old story, new interpretation
The pace of this production is FAST!! I feel you would have to be very familier with the intricities of the plot to follow it as the speech is like rappers on caffine. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jackie Lennon
Excellent value for money!
The DVD arrived in good time, just three days after ordering it, with no delivery charge. It was well packaged and in perfect condition. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Claire Bear
Love it!!
I saw this movies a few years ago when i was in School and only afew weeks ago watched it again when it was on t.v. and forgot how much i loved it.
Published 3 months ago by Sam
No slipcover now
The customer images provided by 'Dave from Glasgow' show an earlier version, which did have a slipcover.
None of the items in stock now have one.
None of the items in stock now have one.
Published 3 months ago by C. X. Linton-Willoughby
A good evenings viewing
I got this for my Grandaughter, we spent a lovely evening watching it, I felt it helped a young child begin to experience Shakespear in a way that she could relate to it.
Published 4 months ago by Charmain
A Classic through Time
This is one of the coolest and most novel renditions of a timeless classic. Baz Luhrman really did a great job with his team breathing new life into something ancient. Read more
Published 5 months ago by CJ Sandton
Very good
This production of Romeo + Juliet was highly rated by my (well educated, articulate and informed) granddaughter - aged 12 yrs 10 mths - gave much pleasure and informed her own... Read more
Published 5 months ago by St Ives
Romeo and Juliet
Baz Luhrmann's stunning version hits you between the eyes and ears; a staggering accomplishment even today, this 1996 movie faithful to Shakespeare spoken by all the American cast... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Neville Wortman
Enjoyable romp - light on emotion ..........
Positives:
Great up dating- with the emphasis on the camp and plenty of camera trickery / the gang scenes work particularly well(the petrol station shoot out is very... Read more
Great up dating- with the emphasis on the camp and plenty of camera trickery / the gang scenes work particularly well(the petrol station shoot out is very... Read more
Published 6 months ago by os
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