Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1954) part 1 of 13

link below to playlist of all 13 parts of this "Romeo and Juliet": http://youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2E21C243AAAF54C5 This excerpt starts with the prologue, spoken with fine distinction by John Gielgud (making much of what follows a poor comparison!) and we see the first scene enacted, but with many cuts and stirring street action. Luciano Bodi ... Abraham Pietro Capanna ... Samson Bill Travers ... Benvolio Sebastian Cabot ... Capulet Lydia Sherwood ... Lady Capulet Giovanni Rota ... Prince of Verona "I will bite my thumb at them" from Singer ("The Text of Shakespeare Vindicated", 1853): The mode in which this contemptuous action was performed is thus described by Cotgrave: "Faire la nique: to mocke by nodding or lifting up the chinne; or more properly, to threaten or defie, by putting the thumbe naile into the mouth, and with a jerke (from the upper teeth) made it to knacke." ... Not the best "Romeo and Juliet" on screen, but then none of them out there really.... The leads are played by youngsters in hope of sacrificing some poetic ability for authenticity, but it doesn't really work out. The text is heavily cut and rearranged without much regard to meter or poetic flow. Best part of the film are the sets, locations, art direction and costumes; with fine photography by the great Robert Krasker....Directed by Renato Castellani Shakespeare RomeoJuliet Romeo Juliet Theatre Play performing arts