"Romeo and Juliet" (1968): actors, roles, interesting facts

The story of Romeo and Juliet is as old as the world. She was repeatedly praised in poems, songs and, of course, in the movies. Cinema remembers several variants of this heart-breaking story presented in the film format. But the very first, moving and close to ideal is the film "Romeo and Juliet", shot in 1968.

About the film

The story of two loving hearts begins with a meeting at a ball in the house of Capulet. But unfortunately, their love is not destined to be happy. It turns out that they are children of a warring birth. In theory, Montecchi cannot be with Capulet, but the power of love resists this enmity. In the film, all the action takes place according to the play of William Shakespeare. Love, passion, drama, disappointment - the picture conveys so many different feelings that it is simply impossible not to get carried away. After watching the soul remains a certain sediment and a sense of injustice. In “Romeo and Juliet” (1968), the actors played their roles as young people, but despite their small age, they managed to perfectly convey all the sensuality and tragedy of the moment.

Cast

The film featured not too many main actors, so the viewer was fully able to immerse himself in the history of the main characters. Actors "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) are presented further:

1. Romeo - performer Leonard Whiting.
2. Juliet - actress Olivia Hassi.
3. Mercutio - performed by John McInery.
4. Monk Lorenzo - played by Milo O'Shea for sure.
5. Duke of Verona - Robert Stevens starred.
6. Juliet's Nurse - played by the sweetest Pat Haywood.
7. Tybalt - performed by the magnificent Michael York.

Also in the film, Bruce Robinson took part in the role of Benvolio, Paul Hardwick played the role of Signora Capulet, and Signora Capulet was played by Natasha Perry. Signor and Signora Montecchi in the film are played by Antonio Pierredeferichi and Esmeralda Ruspoli. Roberto Bissaco was lucky enough to play the Count of Paris, and Lawrence Olivier acted as the narrator. The talented actors of “Romeo and Juliet” (1968) perfectly performed the declared characters and gave the viewer the fullness of feelings and emotions.

Olivia Hussey

Before filming the movie Romeo and Juliet, Olivia Hussey was a completely unremarkable actress. In her arsenal was only participation in a pair of episodic roles. After filming the movie Romeo and Juliet (1968), her career went uphill. Throughout her film career, she managed to star in more than thirty films. One of the last works of the actress was the film "Social Suicide", which was released in 2015. Here she also played the mother of modern Juliet. By the way, the last in this picture was performed by the daughter of Olivia India.

The film "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) for the actress was not only a passing ticket to the world of cinema, but also the reason for receiving the Golden Globe. As for his personal life, Olivia had a stormy one. First, she married the famous actor Dean Martin, from whom she soon gave birth to the son of Alexander. Then followed a marriage with Japanese-born singer Akira Fuse. This marriage gave the actress another son, Maximillian. And finally, Olivia Hussey completed her marriage marathon, linking herself with family ties to the American actor and singer David Glen Aisley. The daughter of India became the fruit of love from this marriage.

Leonard whiting

The filmography of Leonard Whiting is not so great. He received his portion of fame thanks to his participation in the film Romeo and Juliet (1968). To get the main role was a great success for him. The actor for the excellent performance of the role of Romeo was awarded the Golden Globe Award. In “Romeo and Juliet,” Leonard Whiting played so convincingly that still the image of Romeo is associated with him. Having starred in a dozen films, Leonard ended his career as an actor. But he did not leave creativity and set about producing various children's projects. He also writes and writes music. Leonard Whiting is also a professor, and therefore he actively lectures and gives master classes in Shakespearean drama. As for his personal life, the actor married twice. He lived with his first wife for 6 years, which led to the birth of her daughter Sarah. A second marriage with manager Lynn Pesser exists to this day. The daughter of her second marriage passed away due to illness, she had cancer. Three grandchildren remained in comfort to his father.

Interesting Facts

1. At first, the director did not want to take on the role of Juliet Olivia Hussey, since he considered her overly complete.
2. In the film Romeo and Juliet (1968), the actors were very close in age to their characters.
3. Lawrence Olivier did not take his fee, since his participation in the project was based only on his great love for Shakespeare.
4. Some costumes were so heavy that they reached a weight of 25 kilograms.
5. In one of the episodes in the film, the shadow of Mercutio is seen. In fact, this is the shadow of the director of the film Franco Zeffirelli. That day, he replaced the actor on the set.
6. In the Soviet box office in the category "Foreign Films" "Romeo and Juliet" takes 79th place.
7. Olivia Hussey was banned from attending the premiere of the film in London. The reason was erotic scenes in which she herself starred.