There have been countless films based on Shakespeare’s plays but the ultimate adaptation has to be Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version of “Romeo & Juliet”. The two leads were actually teenagers themselves just like the star-crossed lovers in the play. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey were wonderful in this classic tale of love.
Here’s a video playlist with lots of videos from the movie and about the making of it.
It includes:
- interviews and behind the scenes look at the making of the movie
- The balcony scene
- Their first meeting and the song “What is a Youth” plays. The music by Nino Rota and the words only add to the unforgettable scene.
- The death scene
WHAT IS A YOUTH
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
Here’s the famous balcony scene in all its glory. It has never been done better than this.
