Romeo + Juliet is a romantic film adaptation of the classic tale by playwright William Shakespeare, featuring the iconic performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. The captivating narrative and stunning visuals make this 1996 film a standout. Below, we present 10 intriguing facts about Romeo + Juliet that you may not know:
1. During the scene where Juliet dies, DiCaprio’s performance made Danes cry for real due to the intense dialogue. After the director called cut, Danes reportedly grabbed DiCaprio’s hand and said, “Don’t make me cry. I have to stay calm!”
2. The first fight scene featuring DiCaprio and Danes was actually filmed after the two actors had spent the night together.
3. Throughout the film, Danes wore a wig, and she used a particularly intricate one for the underwater scene.
4. In Australia, the film’s soundtrack achieved 5x platinum status and was the second best-selling album of the year.
5. Various references, quotes, and many other elements from Shakespeare’s works are woven throughout the film.
6. Every time a character dies in Romeo + Juliet, their name is mentioned in the credits.
7. The death scene of Mercutio was filmed in a small, cramped space.
8. DiCaprio performed a short film version of Romeo + Juliet with other actors to audition for the role, according to information from Vanity Fair.
9. Father Laurence is the only character who speaks in iambic pentameter throughout the film.
10. The iron railing in Tybalt’s car was a prop and the scene was made more dramatic with the use of special effects.
Source: Hollywood
