"William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" Special Edition DVD

Guide Rating -

If only every director could put the time and energy into DVDs that Baz Luhrmann so obviously puts forth. Luhrmann's DVD release of "Moulin Rouge" raised the standard for DVDs, and now with the release of his Special Edition DVD of "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet," Luhrmann proves that he is indeed dedicated to enhancing the audiences understanding and enjoyment of his films. What's particularly evident is that Luhrmann takes into consideration what fans really want to see, what they are most interested in discovering more about from their favorite films, and he adds as much of that extra special content as possible.

This Special Edition DVD takes viewers beyond the normal behind-the-scenes features, and literally walks the audience through every step of the creative process behind the film.

Director's Gallery - Six Different Mini-Featurettes:
-"Impact" gives us Luhrmann's take on Shakespeare's energy and style.
-"Why Shakespeare" further explores Luhrmann's fascination with Shakespeare and offers an explanation as to why he made this version of "Romeo + Juliet."
-"Pitching Shakespeare" is a humorous, insightful look at how Luhrmann pitched the concept to studio executives. Viewers will also get to watch a video featuring Leonardo DiCaprio showcasing the proposed look and feel of the film.
-"The Gas Station," "Pool Scene," and "Tybalt's Execution" give viewers a glimpse at the rehearsals, shooting process, and staging of each of these individual scenes.

Cinematographer's Gallery - Narrated by Cinematographer Don McAlpine:
-"A Hole in the Wall" shows the difficulties of filming in a restrictive area and how cinematographers work around those restrictions.
-"One Light" looks at the specific lighting of one scene.
-"Operator" explains the role of the Director of Photography versus the role of a camera operator.
-"The Fish Tank" offers an inside look at how to work around filming in strange lighting conditions.
-"The Elevator" showcases a specially built 6'x4' set and the inventiveness of camera operators.
-"The Church" explains the difficulties of working with neon and candles.

Interview Gallery - Seven Segments:
-Craig Pearce, co-writer, talks about Shakespeare's language and moving the film's time period forward. Film editor Jil Bilcock, Choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell, and Costume Designer Kym Barrett discuss individually the care they took in creating the atmosphere of the film.
-Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, and John Leguizamo talk about their involvement in the film, the language and why "Romeo and Juliet" still fascinates audiences.

Additional special features include the Design Gallery, with commentary from Production Designer, Catherine Martin. Martin walks viewers through the storyboard process, set design and decorating, and costume design. The DVD also includes two music videos - "Kissing You" by Des'ree and "Young Hearts Run Free" by Kym Mazell.

Director Baz Luhrmann, co-writer Craig Pearce, Cinematographer Don McAlpine, and Production Designer Catherine Martin provide the DVD's commentary track. Unlike many commentary tracks - thankfully - these four do not spend their time complimenting each other. Instead, they offer viewers in-depth insight into the minutia of every scene. Aspiring filmmakers will learn a lot from listening to these four describe the film's creative process. Viewers are also treated to a rare look at the work that goes into set design, placement of actors, and the timing of dialogue.

Summary:
"William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" Special Edition DVD boasts a tremendous amount of quality bonus material and should make an outstanding addition to any fan's collection.