The document summarizes a scene in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet where the Capulet and Montague families clash at a petrol station after their families are introduced. Mise-en-scene, sound, and cinematography are used to portray the families as wealthy yet immature and disrespectful of religion, and to build tension through music, lighting, and symbols that foreshadow violence and the destruction of their reputations.

1. • I have chosen to talk about the scene in Romeo
and Juliet (1996, Baz Lurhmann) that takes
place just after the opening news report
monologue, in which, after the families are
introduced and the narrative is essentially
summarised, the Capulets and Montagues clash
at a petrol station. I will discuss how mise-en-
scene, sound and cinematography is used in
this sequence to construct meaning and
provoke response.

2. Through an establishing shot, we can see the positioning of the Capulet and Montague
towers (they reside next to each other and are similar heights) show that the two families
are openly opposing each other in close competition. The strong choir element of the non-
diegetic music gives the scene an overwhelming celestial type atmosphere/tone whilst the
sudden crash of the drums connotes power and strength.
Verona is a religious place- we know this the height, positioning and close up shot of the
religious statue which not only emphasises on the importance and power of religion here
but also suggests that it is the heart of the city. However, the establishing shot allows us
to see that the Montague and Capulet towers are taller and wider than the statue which
could suggest that these two families are more powerful than the presence of religion. The
skyscrapers, scaffoldings and occupied main road alerts the audience Verona is
industrialised/busy and that the film is set in a modern time period, unlike the original story
of Romeo and Juliet.

3. • Religious connotations of Verona contrast with the shots of
violence, rioting and police we see
• Violin strings creates determined and tension filled
atmosphere as it gradually builds up to the powerful choir
chorus again.
• The fire that appears on screen during the newspaper
clippings montage not only connotes destruction and
anarchy that cannot be controlled but, once we see it close
to the quarrelling families‟ surnames, could foreshadow the
tarnishing of their reputations.
• Close up shots of newspaper articles show the clash is
well known and publicised- the names of two („prophet‟
and „bullet‟) could be used to foreshadow the themes of
religion, violence and death; the word „bullet‟ could also
foreshadow the speed in which the feud between the two
families escalates.
• Families are wealthy and respectable (Caroline Montague
has pearl earrings and an extravagant necklace, Fulgencio
Capulet wears a suit and his wife wears a fur coat)

4. • The fact that the song
and on screen text refers
to them as boys highlights
their immaturity and lack
of discipline; the song is
also a rap song which
carries connotations of
bad behaviour. One line
sings “check it out” which
links in with their showy
off behaviour.
• Their shirts and hair
colours are loud/bright-
links in with their wild
behaviour
• Proud of their heritage
and eager to flaunt their
name; we know this from
the personalised licence
plate and tattoo

5. • The Capulets are more intimidating than the Montagues- the natural lighting
causes shadows, Abra Capulet wears a grill that reads “sin”; this suggests
he does not respect or abide by the law/bible. Sound is also used to suggest
they are more aggressive- the guitar riff heard when Abra presses the car
horn and then the smoke from the car when he stalks towards the
Montagues also has this affect and shows how aggressive his need is to
defend his name.
• The lewd actions towards the nuns from both sides suggest that they don‟t
have respect for religion however this contrasts with the fact that Abra is
wearing a large cross around his neck. If we link to this to the amount of
religion present in Verona we have previously seen, it could be that the
people are expected to respect and practice religion here because it‟s
tradition to do so, hence Abra‟s holy jewellery, but in reality the younger
generation do not.
• Benvolio reveals that the “quarrel is between (their) masters”, to which
another Montague replies with “and us their men!”, which suggests that the
younger generation feel a need to defend their name

6. • The Capulet’s coat of arms portray them as
more barbaric as the middle part is a bright
red, which connotes blood and danger, and
the chosen weapon of the sword picture is
more deadly and old-fashioned than the gun
pictured on the Montague coat of arms.
However, the Montague coat of arms has a
skull on it which connotes death and evil.

7. • The scared and panicked
voices we hear at
Benvolio’s entrance
suggest that he has some
authority over them or
more knowledge or years
than them as he refers to
them as “fools” and
warms them they do not
know what they’re doing.
The message we see on
the gas sign and the foley
sound of it swaying in the
mind gives an ominous
atmosphere and suggests
the situation is about to
escalate hugely.