ROMEO & JULIET VIDEOS COMPARISON ESSAY
This essay has you look
at two very different productions of the same play. The two films, which are
easiest to obtain, are the Zefirelli version (1968) and the Baz Lurhmann version
starring Leonardo Di Caprio (1996) available in almost all video stores. The
essay should help you see that any production is a series of choices made by
the actors and filmmakers about what parts of the text to include and what to
exclude, what to emphasize and what to downplay. These choices are almost infinite.
Therefore no two productions are ever the same. Here are the elements of your
paper. You can choose to go into more detail on some of these, less on others,
depending upon your own reaction.
Compare and contrast the two films point-by-point, rather than dealing entirely with one film and then the other. Do use specific examples from text and individual films to support your points. Be sure to underline the play titles. Avoid summarizing the plot. Avoid making a judgment about which film you liked better until you get to the final section of the essay.
1. Identify the filmmaker: List the director and principal actors
2. Major difference between text and film script: This section should
only cover major changes in the text and storyline, not minor alterations.
Changes in the text which have an effect on how we react to the play should
be discussed.
3. How characters are portrayed: Compare/contrast
the way the major characters are portrayed based upon the actors' appearance,
costumes, movement, voice and overall impression. Look especially for non-verbal
clues as to how this character is meant to be perceived.
4. Relationships with
others: How do the major characters interact? What are some of the ways
the actors make more clear their feelings? Does this performance coincide with
the text or not?
5. Major conflicts among the characters: How are
the tensions between the characters played out? How does the production help
you see these conflicts more clearly? What do you learn about why certain people
behave as they do?
6. The setting for the
film: Where is the film set? How does this physical location affect the
way you react to the play?
7. Detailed comparison
of a major scene: Select an important scene in the play and show how the
two films treat it. Emphasize the differences between the two versions.
8. Movie making techniques
and special effects: What makes this production more than just another stage
production? What does being a film mean to your appreciation of the play? Pay
attention to the editing of the film, the camera angles, camera movement, use
of music and any other special effect.
9. Judgment: Here
you may briefly discuss which film you prefer and why.
An adequate essay will cover most of the major points in clear language, reasonably free of writing errors. A superior essay will explain why the choices were made and how they affected your perception.