Romeo and Juliet Films

[sophie]

Are there differences between Zeffirelli's film version of Romeo and Juliet and Baz Luhrmans film version?

[LeMarchand]

Apart from the obvious cast/crew and production date differences - Franco: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/ . Baz: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/ , Franco's is a period piece, most famous nowadays for introducing the world to the music later used in Simon Bates' "Our Tune". Baz's is set in contemporary times and features quite a lot of singing.

[ok_computer]

Baz Lurman's version is, as LeMarchand said set in contemporary times and also uses a lot more cinematic techniques than Zeffirelli's, especially at the beginning from what i remember. His focuses a lot more on the visual aspect than Zeffirelli's, sometimes even verging on the spectacle side of things.
Basically if you want the more traditional take on Romeo and Juliet, go with Zeffirelli. If you want something a little different and perhaps even slightly controversial, go with Baz. Even better, see both :D

Hope that helps (and wasn't too long-winded).