The Greatests Love in Classic Cinema. Romeo and Juliet (1968) ♥ Juliet's Death scene Romeo and Juliet is a 1968 British-Italian romantic tragedy film based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. The film was directed and co-written by Franco Zeffirelli, and stars Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. It won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Pasqualino De Santis) and Best Costume Design (Danilo Donati); it was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture, making it the last