Each month we showcase a movie selected by one of our VIFF+ Premium members. This month, Sandy Dowling shares a personal favourite.
The Italian director Franco Zeffirelli had directed an acclaimed stage production at London’s Old Vic in 1960, and for the film stuck to his intuition by casting teenagers as his star-crossed lovers: Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. Both are effective in their parts, though John McEnery’s dynamic Mercutio steals the show. It’s visually opulent and Zeffirelli keeps it moving at a good lick. Legend has it that Bruce Robinson, who plays Benvolio, based “Uncle Monty” in Withnail and I on his experience with Zeffirelli on this film.
Sandy comments: “The recent passing of Olivia Hussey brought tears to my eyes. I was just a couple of years younger than she was when I first saw the film in the late 60’s. It would be amazing to see this beautiful iconic love story once again on the big screen.”
The costumes and everything else in the film—the photography, the music, above all Shakespeare’s language—is so voluptuous, so sensuous.
Roger Ebert
Franco Zeffirelli
Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, Michael York, John McEnery
Italy/UK
1968
In English and French with English subtitles
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Monday June 30
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