Directed by Baz Luhrmann (of Moulin Rouge and 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)' fame) the film is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Released in 1996, it features Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague, Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet, John Leguizamo as Tybalt Capulet, Harold Perrineau as Mercutio and Pete Postlethwaite as Father Lawrence.
This is the sidearm carried by Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo, later used by Juliet to commit suicide. During the gas station shootout, Sampson (Jamie Kennedy) packs a customized gold-plated version. It is also a pisol held by many characters during the film.
Most of the 9mm handguns used in the movie by various characters are Taurus PT99 pistols (a variant of the PT92 with raised, adjustable sights) with a number of modifications to make them look "artsy". In addition, the guns' brand names are particular types of knives and swords, so that the filmmakers did not have to change the original dialog by Shakespeare. Since so many of the main characters in the film use these pisols, and each is different in some way, they have been given each their own sub-section.
Benvolio's 'Sword 9mm Series S'
Named the 'Sword 9mm Series S', the gun is seen in the film with an extended, gold plated barrel, extended slide and golden detailing. It also has trinkets which hang from the lanyard hoop on the mainspring housing of the gun, which is a feature shared by many other pistols belonging to other characters.
Tybalt's 'Rapier 9mm Series R'
Tybalt's 'Rapier 9mm Series R' pistols by far in a way steal the show. They feature compensators, extended spring guides and extended, gold-plated barrels, with custom 'Holy Mary' grips. Acccuracy can also be improved with the added option of attaching a C-more scope. Seemingly like every other pistol in the movie, it also features gold detailing. (Gold-plated safeties, triggers etc.) The flamboyant and excessivly awesome pistols (in my opinion, anyway) reflect the flamboyant and...interesting way Tybalt fights. Twirling, spinning, leaping in the air firing both guns akimbo. This fighting style is later mocked by Benvolio and Mercutio later in the film. Something else that is interesting is that the actor who plays Tybalt sometimes fires each pisol using his middle finger.
Mercutio's 'Dagger 9mm'
By far in a way one of the most impressive pistols ever to grace the silver screen, Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) holds a PT99 with transparent magazines, transparent gun grips, compensator and a gold-plated barrel. It also features various frame and slide cut-outs revealing the inner workings of the gun.
Smith and Wesson Model 629
A fellow Montague pulls out his revolver when Mercutio discusses the upcoming duel with Tybalt.
Modified Beretta Model 92FS pistols were used by the characters Abra and Petruchio. It is also carried by some members of Verona Beach PD. Later on, it briefly replaces Romeo's P-13 for unknown reasons, only for Romeo to reuse his P-13 straight after.
The "Longsword" which Ted Montague reaches for is actually a South African-manufactured Techno Arms MAG-7 shotgun (it is difficult to tell from the scene in the movie whether it is the original MAG-7 or the civilian MAG-7M1 sold in the United States, which has a fixed wooden stock and a longer barrel). Later on, a MAG-7M1 is seen hung in a gun collection tent at the Capulet's house party.
Juliet (Claire Danes) holds a Walther P5-C pistol with pearl grips to her head. This gun was later used (with a silencer) by Willem Dafoe in The Boondock Saints. Charles Taylor was the armorer on both The Boondock Saints and Romeo + Juliet, and his company MAG supplied all guns for both shows. It could be the same P5; the pearl grips might have simply been removed for the later film.
Near the end of the film, one of the Verona Beach Police SWAT officers in the background holds an M16A1 rifle. A number of M16A1 rifles can be seen in the hands of the Verona Beach Police SWAT officers in the film.