Compare how the opening scene of Romeo + Juliet
is portrayed in Baz Luhrmann's 1997 film
Which version do you think is more successful?
The opening scene in most of Shakespeare's plays have a high level of action and a plot that is absorbing, apprehensible and present in the first couple of minutes of the play.
This technique was not only used to create a commendable opening to the production, but for practical purposes as well.
The Globe, home to Shakespeare's plays during the 16th century, was was a very large crowded theatre, if the opening of a play performed there wasn't interesting, it could cause disruption and impatience within the audience, and people walking out.
So you can see how it was vital that plays performed at The Globe theatre grabbed the audiences attention quickly, intrigue them and make them want to watch on.
The opening to Romeo and Juliet starts with a prologue. This was Shakespeare's way of summarising the plot for the audience, yet with some mystery to it. Thus making the audience want to see the full account of the story for themselves.
Screening Shakespeare for a modern audience hasn't been attempted much, as its not an easy to adapt such a traditional piece into modern settings or even for the people of today, some of whom who have not even heard of Shakespeare, as well as the fact that the language is so hard to comprehend.
Luhrmann took a risk by keeping the original Shakespearian language and script, but luckily, because of his modern settings and visual codes to back up the dialogue, it was easy for anyone to understand.
Luhrmann also tricked the audience into thinking it was an action film because of his fast paced and violent opening, which was a very successful way of captivating the modern audience, as opposed to Zefferelli's tiresome opening.
This is why I prefer Luhrmann's film.
Both Directors use similar techniques within the settings of their films. They both use natur...