In marked contrast to the original play and the Gounod opera, the lethal duel between Tybalt and Romeo is presented before the clandestine wedding of Romeo and Juliet. Another difference is that the fight is not precipitated by the taunts of Romeo's servant, Stephano, who does not appear in the film, but initiated by Tybalt. His insults against Romeo bait Mercutio, who challenges Tybalt to a duel and then is killed by him. An enraged Romeo avenges Mercutio's death by slaying Tybalt.
