Romeo and Juliet (1996): Complete Movie Guide

The 1996 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic play, "Romeo and Juliet," directed by Baz Luhrmann, presents a modern and stylized retelling of the tragic love story. Set in Verona Beach, a fictional contemporary city, the film retains the original Shakespearean dialogue while infusing it with vibrant visuals, modern elements, and a fast-paced narrative. The film revolves around the forbidden love affair between Romeo Montague (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet Capulet (Claire Danes), members of feuding families, who fall deeply in love at first sight. Despite the enmity between the Montagues and the Capulets, Romeo and Juliet secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence (Pete Postlethwaite). As their love blossoms, the tension and violence between the two families escalate. Tybalt Capulet (John Leguizamo), Juliet's hot-tempered cousin, seeks revenge on Romeo for crashing a Capulet party. In a duel, Romeo's best friend, Mercutio (Harold Perrineau), is tragically killed by Tybalt. Driven by anger and grief, Romeo seeks vengeance and fatally wounds Tybalt, leading to his banishment from Verona. Desperate to avoid an arranged marriage with Paris (Paul Rudd), Juliet turns to Friar Laurence for help. The friar devises a plan to reunite the lovers by faking Juliet's death through a sleeping potion, allowing her to escape to Mantua with Romeo once she wakes. However, the plan goes awry when Romeo, unaware of the friar's scheme, believes Juliet to be dead and takes his own life beside her lifeless body. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, she refuses to live without him and takes her own life with a dagger. The tragic deaths of the young lovers prompt the Montagues and Capulets to reconcile, ending their long-standing feud. The film's visual style combines a contemporary setting with lavish costumes, intense colors, and energetic camerawork. It also features a dynamic soundtrack that blends modern and classical elements, complementing the story's emotional moments. Luhrmann's adaptation captures the essence of Shakespeare's timeless tale of love, passion, and tragedy while bringing it into a modern context. "Romeo and Juliet" (1996) remains a visually stunning and emotionally powerful interpretation of the iconic play, showcasing the enduring power and relevance of Shakespeare's work.

“A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows

Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.”

Help your students get the most out of this amazing adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This 21-question movie guide comes with a complete character chart and teacher key. Ready to print and ready to use!

Thumbnail Clipart Credit: LE Designs

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Student version

Teacher version

Character reference sheet