This is one of the Thames production of Shakespeare's plays which were produced in the late 70s and early 80s. They were of uneven quality; some were quite good, others average, and some were simply awful.
This reviewer includes this production of Romeo and Juliet as one of the better ones. There are several reasons for this assessment.
One, it is a complete production, or, certainly one of the most complete versions on film. Since it is complete or near-complete, it includes both the tragic elements of the play, plus the comic, which were many.
Two, there is real chemistry in the two major protagonists. The two actors, Christopher Neame and Ann Hasson, positively exude two people who are punch-drunk in love.
Three, Ann Hasson is a perfect Juliet. In Shakespeare's play Juliet is fourteen years old. Hasson has a youthful face and appearance and pepper's the role with the extreme emotionality of a preteen.
Four, the overall production works, and works well. Let's face it, familiar passages from Romeo and Juliet have been parodied for good reason, and these same lines in a weaker, less confident manner would simply sound hokey and wrong. From the lips of these two actors, there is a real urgency and legitimacy in their words, and hearing these oft-repeated lines the words sound fresh and new. It is a pleasant surprise.
