Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Romeo and Juliet Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 24, 2023

Franco Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include two archival programs with actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting; excerpt from a documentary about Franco Zeffirelli; and vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Some stories deserve to be told again and again because they are so good they cannot be spoiled. It is why book publishers keep reprinting them and filmmakers keep reintroducing them to different audiences around the world.

A long, long time ago, when I was a little boy, I spent countless hours rereading Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves because it kept freeing my mind in a way that even my favorite films could not. I imagined what I would do if I discovered a giant treasure and the feeling that I could afford anything I wanted was nothing short of euphoric. During my childhood years, I usually spent each summer near the ocean, but there was one year when I worked very hard to convince my parents to let me stay with a relative who ran a family hotel high up in the mountains so that I could look around for my giant treasure. I genuinely believed that if I looked long and hard enough, I would discover it.

In our family, all discussions of great books telling timeless stories could not end without a proper recognition of Emilio Salgari. Karl May, Jules Verne, James Fenimore Cooper, Alexandre Dumas, and Leo Tolstoy had big admirers in our family and there was always someone willing to argue ad nauseum that one of them was better than the rest, but I and my late grandfather would team up and make sure that at the end our man Salgari emerged victorious. We were both huge fans of Salgari’s stories. My grandfather loved Salgari’s book The Black Corsair and had memorized entire sections of it. I loved it too, but I was obsessed with Salgari’s Sandokan books. I would revisit them even when I had started reading another book. When some years later I saw Kabir Bedi playing the Tiger of Mompracem in Sergio Sollima’s famous TV series -- which was also edited and reintroduced as a couple of feature films -- I discovered the ultimate proof that I and my late grandfather were right. Our man Salgari was the greatest storyteller that ever lived.

A lot of people would be happy to confess that William Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet has had a similarly profound impact on their lives. I know a few. I also know a few that genuinely believe that Franco Zeffirelli’s film brings it to the big screen in a masterful fashion. This film could very well be their ultimate proof that they were always right to regard Shakespeare as the greatest storyteller, too. But just as Salgari was not especially popular with some members of my family, I dare say that Shakespeare may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you think that what you just read amounts to blasphemy, well, you are entitled to your opinion, too.

I like Shakespeare’s classic play, the story it tells, and Zeffirelli’s film. However, the latter is rather remarkably faithful to the former, and I tend to side with those who over the years have voiced an opinion that Shakespeare’s language and Zeffirelli’s film do not always sync particularly well. Why? I will give you a couple of reasons. First, despite its theatrical appearance, Zeffirelli’s film does not lose its cinematic identity. It has grand visuals and a dramatic buildup that could not have materialized in a theatrical production. In other words, it retells the famous story differently, as it can be told only by a film director. This means that Zeffirelli’s camera has the best viewing angle, and when it instantly captures the feelings and emotions of the leads, they do not always sync with Shakespeare’s language. Second, Shakespeare’s language has a special rhythm, some would argue a special resonance too, and because plenty is happening in a film, the two cannot be replicated right. And yet, Zeffirelli's film does a lot to accomplish precisely that -- replicate perfectly the special rhythm and resonance of Shakespeare’s language. Is it successful? In the play, Shakespeare’s language suggests a lot of the passion that brings the young lovers together, but in Zeffirelli's film the poetic mystique that surrounds it is often spoiled by the camera.

Much and probably all of this criticism, however, is easily invalidated by the strength of the story. It is simple, enormously moving, and truly unforgettable. A young boy and a young girl fall madly in love but then lose each other because their families are unable to reconcile their differences. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, both looking very young, bring purity to the story that feels unmistakably Shakespearean.

Romeo and Juliet Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Romeo and Juliet arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this release:

"This new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution from the 35mm original Eastmancolor negative. The 35mm original separation masters were used to replace damaged sections. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered from the 35mm original soundtrack negative and a 35mm magnetic track.

Transfer supervisor: Michelle Freidman, Laura Thornburg/Paramount Pictures.
Sound restoration: Chace Audio by Deluxe."

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master that was prepared after Romeo and Juliet was fully restored in 4K at Roundabout Entertainment in Burbank, California. I do not have exact technical credits to share at the moment, but I will later after I receive a market copy of this release.

I think that the new 4K makeover that was prepared for this classic film is magnificent. The visuals are frequently indescribably beautiful, so drawing directed comparisons with previous home video releases of the film seems utterly pointless. Depth, in particular, was so striking, I must speculate that in native 4K large sections of the film could easily be used as 'reference material'. Also, the darker footage boasts tremendous ranges of subtle nuances, so you should expect to see very diverse visuals throughout the entire film. I thought that the new 4K makeover is beautifully graded as well. This film has a very particular period appearance that emphasizes light yellows, browns, and blues and they have to be reproduced perfectly so that there are no distracting anomalies. I did not encounter such anomalies. I thought that the party that graded the new 4K makeover was very careful to retain the proper values of the primaries and supporting nuances and ultimately the proper color temperature and stylistic appearance of the film. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks immaculate as well. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Romeo and Juliet Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The dialog is clear, sharp, and clean. However, as you know, Shakespeare's language is not always easy to follow, and in some areas of the film where there is a lot happening some words could be difficult to catch. Nino Rota's excellent soundtrack produces plenty of memorable contrasts. I did not encounter any audio dropouts, pops, hiss, distortions, or other similar age-related imperfections to report in our review.

Romeo and Juliet Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for Romeo and Juliet from Paramount Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting (2016) - presented here is a Q&A session with Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting that was filmed after a screening of Romeo and Juliet at Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, California. The actors recall their initial encounter and discuss their friendship and professional relationship, the shooting of Romeo and Juliet, and the film's -- and the story it tells -- timeless appeal. In English, not subtitled. (33 min).

• Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting (1967) - this archival interview with Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting was recorded for the British Film Institute in 1967. The young actors quickly discuss their backgrounds and their work with Franco Zeffirelli and the "older" cast of Romeo and Juliet. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Franco Zeffirelli - presented here is an excerpt from the documentary Franco Zeffirelli: Directing From Life (2018), produced and directed by Christ Hunt. The excerpt focuses on the production of Romeo and Juliet and features clips from interviews with the Italian director. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Ramona Wray as well as technical credits.

Romeo and Juliet Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A lot of people regard Franco Zeffirelli's cinematic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet as the greatest ever directed. I would describe it as the purest one. Criterion's upcoming Blu-ray release is sourced from a gorgeous new 4K master that was prepared after Romeo and Juliet was fully restored in 4K at Roundabout Entertainment in Burbank, California. I think that fans of the film will be thrilled with it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.