Romeo and Juliette - Comparing the Baz Luhrman (Modern) Version to the Franco Zefferelli (Original) Version

"Romeo and Juliette" by Baz Luhrman is a very different film to that of Franco Zefferelli's version. Although both are fused very closely to the original play by Shakespeare, Zefferelli and Luhrman have added their own changes to the original, Luhrman much more so than Zefferelli.
Set in a modern time, Luhrman has a much more powerful substance to his film. While Zefferelli may have seemed radical in his time, Luhrman recreates the famous Shakespearean play in modern day Verona, though with traditional language.
Luhrman's version of Romeo and Juliette builds much more on the roles of each of the characters, more so than Zefferelli. Tybolt is seen as much more of a menacing figure and a protector of the family's honour in the Luhrman Romeo and Juliette. …