Romeo & Juliet: Differences and similarities between the film version and Shakespeare's original play

The director of the film version of "Romeo and Juliet" and Shakespeare both used the same script for their programs, but they are very different interpretations. In this paper, I am going to explain some of the instances in the first scene of "Romeo and Juliet" that the movie highlights more than in play, and some instances that the movie draws less attention to and the play brings out. First of all, the setting is probably the most evident contrast between the play and the movie. What the modern environment does is allows it to be much more violent. As the scene opens, you see a carload of Montague boys yelling with loud music and basically just having a good time. Then, the Capulet's pull into the gas station. Immediately, it is evident that this family is much more serious than the Montague's. They are wearing much darker clothes than the Montague's with blacks and reds. The Montague's are wearing brighter yellows and blues. This is obviously a difference that is brought out simply because of visual additions. So, already there is a feeling of favoritism on the Montague's. Then, when Tybalt enters, you almost immediately hate him. He has black and deep red clothes on, cowboy boots with spurs, and black greasy hair. He is almost an icon for the devil himself. However, in the play, you do favor Benvolio, because he says things like, "I do but keep the peace…" in line sixty-five. The director of the movie interpreted this confrontation between Benvolio and Tybalt, as like an old western showdown: with the boys twirling their guns, and the camera zooming in on their boots, Tybalt's spurs and their slow pace. The actors and the music add an extreme sense of intensity and fear to the scene. In the play, it is not as evident how the servant's are really cowards and are terrified of what may happen in any of the scuffles they get involved in. The movie brings this out by turning the actor's tones into screams and yelling. The music is loud and nerving. It makes the rivalry between the families seem very real and accentuates the potential violence and genuine, mutual hate. A final difference is in the play, when Tybalt challenges Benvolio (lines 67-69) all the citizens join in and take sides yelling, "Down with the Capulet's!" or "Down with the Montague's!" In the movie, it is actually quite the opposite. For example, when the two families see each other, a bus full of nuns who are on the scene quickly get back in and hurry off hoping to avoid being a part of the violence. Also, a woman in her car repeatedly hits one of the Montague servants with her purse when he gets near her car. The violence and obviously renowned feud between the families evidently terrified her.