Alex Mise en Scene Essay Romeo and Julie

Mise en scene on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Julie

The film Romeo and Juliet is a drama made by Baz Luhrmann. The movie was made in the year 1996.

The story is based on the story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. 

In this report I will write about the "Mise en Scene" of one of the first scenes. 

The Setting: The scene I am writing about of Romeo and Juliet is set on a busy petrol station in a big city. It is day time and the weather is nice.The appearance of the city is Latin American. 

Three persons of the Family Montrague are turning up at the petrol station. Another three persons of the Family Capulet are arriving at the petrol station too. The sequence shows the two families which are quarreling. 

In the scene the word "Phoenix" is standing on many products and it is the name of the petrol station that might be connected to the fire which gets lighted on the gas station, because the phoenix is a bird rising out of the ash.

The costumes: 

The costumes of the Montrague Family members are chosen very casual. The Family Capulet has Latin American styled costumes.

Abra Capulet, who gets introduced at first, is wearing nice leather shoes with the emblem of the Capulet family on. He also is wearing a black jacket which he takes off. Under his Jacket he is wearing a brown tank top. Whereas he is turning off his jacket, the audience is able to see his weapon which is attached to his belt.

Tybald is the second Capulet who gets introduced. He is  the Cousin of Juliet (played by Claire Danes). He is wearing a black blazer.

Benvolio is the first Montrague family member who gets introduced. He is the cousin of Romeo (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). He is wearing a shirt which is unbuttoned. His appearance is as if he would be on vacation. 

Props:

 Everyone, who is coming out of the two families, is having a weapon with the emblem of their family on except for two women, who are sitting in the back of one of the Montragues cars.

Abra, a guy from the Capulet, has sunglasses and a cross witch is attached to a necklace. The cross might be a hint that he is religious. He also is wearing an earring on his left ear.

He has no teeth in his maxilla. Instead of the teeth he has an metal plate witch says "Sin" which is the Spanish word for without.

Benvolio the cousin of  Romeo has a "Sword 9mm Series S" pistol and a wristband around his arm. 

Tybald, who is Juliets cousin, has a matchstick and a cigarette. He has 2 guns and on one of them you can see the family emblem of the Capulet's. 

Finally I think that the movie is entertaining, because it is good to get familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet in a way, which is a lot more fun than reading Shakespeare.