IV. Adaptation for the movie 2 : starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes in 1996

  Since the "Romeo and Juliet" released in 1968, there has been no work almost close to the original. However, an exception started in Australia.

 

    

  This exception is a playwriter Baz Luhrmann who wrote play in his spare time working as assistant director. He did the play 'Strictly Ballroom (Dancing hero) in 1980' into a movie in 1992 and he standed out for movie director. He also made the popular pop songs and the classic of Shakespeare into music video style in the movie.

 

  And the old words in the original were used instead of modern english. Although this was very dangerous decision, it was very critical factor in "Romeo and Juliet". He wrote a film script by himself using this old words and shoot the film. The men who dressed up with guns spoke "put the sword down".

  In 1968 "Romeo and Juliet", sportlighted actor was Olivia Hussey. By contrast, in 1996 "Romeo and Juliet", sportlighted actor changed Juliet to Romeo, Leonardo Dicaprio.

  This movie, made as music video form, has many kinds of music like funky, techno, and alternative. Among them, a representative of the movie theme song sung by the British Des'ree is 'Kissing You'. This song was sung at the party where Romeo and Juliet first met. Des'ree was appeared at this movie and she sang this song in person.

 

  Baz Luhrmann made this movie with unusual ideas. Then he became a famous director. Among unusual ideas, however, he was reflected original play's basis that Love and Death.