Romeo and Juliet A Project:
Movie vs. Play
1. Watch a movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. You may choose any full length
movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet as long as the script still follows Shakespearean
language. I have posted a list of good examples of acceptable movies at the end of this
document.
2. Write a paper comparing and contrasting Shakespeare’s original play and the movie.
You must cite at least 3 lines from the play and explain how those lines were done in
the movie and how meaning changed.
3. Please note and discuss the following in your paper:
a. Any missing or added characters: discuss at least 2
b. Changes in setting: discuss at least 2
c. Any additions or subtractions of the plot: discuss at least 2
4. Paper must be typed, single spaced, with Times New Roman 12pt font. Paper should be
at least 1 page long.
5. Here are some good examples of acceptable movies:

Romeo and Juliet (1966); filmed version of a stage performance from the
Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre; directed by Val Drumm and Paul Lee (UK)

Romeo and Juliet (1967); TV adaptation for Play of the Month; directed by Alan
Cooke (UK)

Romeo and Juliet (1968); hugely successful adaptation both critically and
commercially; directed by Franco Zeffirelli (UK/Italy)

Romeo y Julieta (1972); made-for-TV movie; directed by José Antonio Páramo
(Spain)

Romeo and Juliet (1976); eight-part TV serialisation; directed by Joan KempWelch (UK)

Romeo & Juliet (1978); TV adaptation for the BBC Television Shakespeare;
directed by Alvin Rakoff (UK)

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (1982); straight-to-video production played out
on an Elizabethan stage in a replica of the Globe Theatre; directed by William Woodman
(USA)

Romeo.Juliet (1990); a bag lady travels around Venice rescuing stray cats, whilst
voiceovers recite extracts from the play; directed by Armondo Acosta (Belgium/UK)

"Romeo and Juliet" (1992); TV adaptation for Shakespeare: The Animated Tales;
directed by Yefim Gamburg (Russia/UK)

Romeo & Juliet (1993); TV broadcast of a stage production from the Stratford
Shakespeare Festival; directed by Richard Monette; directed for television by Norman
Campbell (Canada)

Romeo & Juliet (1994); five-part TV serialisation; directed by Alan Horrox (UK)

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996); modernisation of the story, which
retains Shakespeare's language but sets the play in "Verona Beach" in California; directed
by Baz Luhrmann (USA)

Romeo and Juliet (2000); straight-to-video adaptation told from the point of view
of Mercutio; directed by Colin Cox (USA)

Romeo and Juliet (2013); 'traditional' adaptation of the play, with text adapted by
Julian Fellowes; directed by Carlo Carlei (Italy/USA)
(Or any other adaptation that follows the requirements)