Screen Adaptations: Romeo and Juliet : A Close Study of the Relationship Between Text and Film

The Screen Adaptations series provides an in-depth look at how classic pieces of literature have been adapted for screen. It assesses the ways in which alternative screen interpretations offer up different readings of the original text as well as the methodologies and approaches of filmmakers. Each title in the series collects together a vast array of study material, critical insight and thought-provoking comparisons - from literary context to the afterlife of the screen versions. Shakespeare on Film is a huge area of study and Romeo and Juliet is one of his most popular plays with many teachers using film versions as a way of approaching the text. Focussing in the main on West Side Story and Baz Lurhmann's Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, this is a unique and comprehensive insight into the adaptation process providing a vital study aid for students.

This close study of the relationship between text and film versions of Romeo & Juliet will offer plenty of material to literature and film studies students to support their courses and essay writing on how the film versions provide different readings of the original text.

Focusing on West Side Story and Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the book discusses the literary text in its historical context, key themes and dominant readings of the text, how the text is adapted for the screen, and how adaptations have changed our reading of the original text. There are numerous excerpts from the literary text, screenplays, and shooting scripts, with suggestions for comparison. The book also features quotations from authors, screenwriters, directors, critics, and others linked with the chosen film and text.

Cover Contents Acknowledgments A note on the texts Timeline: cinematic adaptations of Romeo and Juliet Part One: Literary contexts A tale of adaptation The ‘bad’, the ‘good’, and the ugly: the complex text(s) of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ‘What more in the name of love?’ Issues for adaptation Part Two: From text to screen A brief history of Romeo and Juliet on screen Now showing: West Side Story Shakespeare with a view: Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet: A cinematic detour through the play’s textual origins Part Three: Critical responses and the afterlife of the play's adaptations West Side success Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet: then and now Romeo + Juliet takes the 'A' train Afterlives: the never-ending story Select bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z "Shakespeare on Film is a huge area of study and Romeo and Juliet is one of his most popular plays with many teachers using film versions as a way of approaching the text. Focusing in the main on West Side Story and Baz Lurhmann's Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, this is a unique and comprehensive insight into the adaptation process providing a vital study aid for students."--Publisher website. A close study of the relationship between text and film versions of Romeo and Juliet. Literature and film studies students will find plenty of material to support their courses and essay writing on how the film versions provide different readings of the original text. A close study of the relationship between text and film versions of 'Romeo and Juliet', this text outlines how the film versions provide different readings of the original text