Romeo and Juliet (1936) This black and white version had Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer playing some of the oldest-looking teenagers seen on screen, with both actors being more than twice the age that Romeo and Juliet were supposed to be.
Film and Book Adaptations of Romeo and Juliet
Film and Book Adaptations of Romeo & Juliet
By Leslie Simon
The story of Romeo & Juliet is perhaps the most well-known love story of all, with many people knowing it from film adaptations. Depending on your generation, “your” Juliet might be Olivia Hussey (1968 version), or “your” Romeo may be Leonardo DiCaprio (1996). There are films that have been set in Shakespeare’s time, many contemporary versions, and - like the Arvada Center’s production - worlds that blend the two and create a timeless space and time that mixes contemporary and classic. What adaptation of this story of fated and fateful love is your favorite? For tickets to our Romeo & Juliet production, follow the link: https://arvadacenter.org/events/romeo-and-juliet
West Side Story (1961) Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer play the two star-crossed lovers in this film where Verona is Manhattan, and the feud is a dancing gang war between the Sharks and the Jets.
Romeo & Juliet (1968) Played in classrooms for generations, this stunningly gorgeous version is traditionally done and was the first major Shakespeare adaptation to cast actual teenagers.
Romeo + Juliet (1996) This Baz Luhrmann adaptation had Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes at the moment their careers were exploding, with a soundtrack that brought techno dance beats to fair Verona.
Romeo Must Die (2000) Jet Li and Aaliyah star in this martial arts-packed version that shows the Montague-Capulet family feud as a gang war.
Romeo & Juliet (2013) This version is aesthetically gorgeous, being shot in Italy and starring Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, but the dialogue was dumbed down to a Shakespeare-like language.
Warm Bodies (2013) In this quirky version, Juliet falls in love with R - who is a zombie. While the movie is more a bunch of nods to the Shakespeare classic rather than any kind of faithful adaptation, there’s a balcony scene and it’s surprisingly sincere.
The story is also a popular one for Young Adult literature. The following list is a great way to get younger readers more interested in Shakespeare:
Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
