Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsOlivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting’s lawsuit against Paramount over a nude scene in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet was dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law and related procedural and limitations rules. The May 25, 2023 ruling did not find that the actors’ allegations were true, nor did it establish a broad rule about depictions of minors.
What the lawsuit alleged
Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount Pictures in December 2022 over a nude scene in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They alleged that they were pressured to appear nude as minors and that the scene was filmed and included despite assurances that the nudity would not be shown. Those were allegations in a contested complaint, not facts established by the court.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Romeo and Juliet (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4129iM35CwL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Romeo and Juliet (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] | $32.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Romeo + Juliet [Blu-ray] (Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618Kuok+eNL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Romeo + Juliet [Blu-ray] (Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes) | $37.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Romeo + Juliet | $16.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Romeo + Juliet [Blu-ray] [1996]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Iv1MxZ-3L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Romeo + Juliet [Blu-ray] [1996] | $19.68 | Buy on Amazon |
The complaint, filed December 30, 2022, asserted claims including sexual harassment, fraud, sexual abuse, appropriation of name and likeness, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and unfair business practices.
Why the judge dismissed the case
On May 25, 2023, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alison Mackenzie issued a tentative ruling granting Paramount’s anti-SLAPP motion in case 22SMCV02968. California’s anti-SLAPP procedure allows a defendant to challenge claims arising from protected speech or expressive activity. The court treated the production and distribution of a film as protected activity.
#1 Best Overall
- Genre: Drama
- Number of Discs: 1
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 138
- Rating: PG
Judge Mackenzie wrote: “Under California law, the creation, production, and distribution of entertainment such as television or film are activities in furtherance of the exercise of the right to free speech, and thus protected under the anti-SLAPP statute.”
The ruling also said the plaintiffs had not shown that the film was conclusively illegal as a matter of law. Mackenzie wrote: “Plaintiffs have not put forth any authority showing the film here can be deemed to be sufficiently sexually suggestive as a matter of law to be held to be conclusively illegal.” The court additionally discussed procedural requirements and the statute of limitations.
Rank #2
- This ambitious undertaking, adapting William Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers and setting the story in a glossy music-video style in 1990s Florida.
What the ruling did—and did not—decide
The ruling dismissed this particular lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP framework and related procedural and limitations rules. It did not determine that the alleged coercion occurred, and it did not announce that nude depictions of minors are generally lawful. The court’s conclusion concerned the plaintiffs’ claims and the legal showing before it in this case.
Was there a second lawsuit?
A later lawsuit focused on the 2023 Criterion Blu-ray release of the film. Paramount argued in a motion that the new action repeated claims tied to the original film and its release history. A 2024 news report said a judge dismissed that second lawsuit. The court document available for that case is Paramount’s motion, not the final order, so the reported dismissal should be attributed to news coverage rather than treated as a conclusion independently confirmed by the motion.
Rank #3
What happened to Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting?
Hussey died in December 2024 at age 73, the Associated Press reported. The 2023 ruling addressed the lawsuit’s legal claims; it did not resolve the underlying allegations as findings of fact.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- New HD master approved by director Baz Luhrmann
- "Shaking Up Shakespeare" Picture-in-Picture mode with interactive commentary by Baz Luhrmann features new interviews with him and his crew
- From the Bazmark Vault - Never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage
- Concept art and storyboards
- BD-LIVE: Live Lookup Powered by IMDb
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
