There are minor differences between Zefferelli"s "Romeo and Juliet" to Rogers and Hammerstein"s "West Side Story". However, very similar. The movie"s central story line between love and violence intertwine, varying only by form and detail. Both stories start off by introducing two rival groups. In Romeo and Juliet there are two households both alike in dignity but with an "ancient grudge" between them. The "houses" are ancient, prominent families in the city of Verona, Italy and their names are Montague and Capulet. These two families desire to dominate as the most wealthy and influential "house" in Verona. In West Side Story, two opposing street gangs, consisting of family who all roughly have the same age represent the opposite groups. Consisting of a home grown New York gang, the Jets, a gang of Puerto Rican immigrants and the Sharks. The two become bitter rivals, battling for superiority and domination of New York"s street territory around the middle of the twentieth century. There is very little difference in the desire that these rivals have in the two stories. The families desired control and strength of the territory in the city. Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story find happiness together only to meet with tragedy.

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             Among the two plays consist similarities of costume design, staging, setting, and vocabulary. In Romeo and Juliet, the clothing appeared like what they would have been in Shakepeares time. The Montagues wore black and blue and the Capulets wore orange and red. This provides a sharp contrast to distinguish the difference between the two families and also helps the audience to quickly ascertain the identity. Women wore decorated petticoats with beads and were worn over a farthingale and bumroll. Their clothing seemed heavy and had a tight seam to increase the bust. Hair was kept long and straight or in a simple braid. Men wore baggy long sleeve shirts and tights.