The Taming of the Shrew (1967)

Liz and Dick (a.k.a. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) almost seemed to be importing the psychodramas of their marriage into this 1967 film (of course, the same was true of every film they made together). Adapted from Shakespeare's play and directed by Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet) with his usual eye for sumptuousness, this version of Taming features a particularly boisterous, bawdy, fun performance by its stars. Composer Nino Rota--best known for scoring several of Fellini's best-known works--received a National Board of Reviews award for his vivid soundtrack. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

 Good for the whole family
Our friends also own this movie and they also enjoyed it. This is a 'movie within a movie' because the actors play 'actors in a Shakespeare play' - and their private lives parallel the play they're in. The 'play' in the movie stays true to the orignal Shakespeare "Taming of the Shew".

May 8, 2008

 The Taming of the Shrew
Burton and Taylor at their comic best. A fine rendition of the Shakespeare comedy that doesn't lose the viewer because of the Elizabethan language style. Burton and Taylor make it visually enjoyable. Check out a young Michael York as Petrucio. April 8, 2008

 Kiss me Kate.
I enjoyed this movie immensely. Liz Taylor was great. Seven Brides for seven brother definately took "inspiration" from the "Taming of the Shrew". Shakespeares "Taming of the Shrew" story line is much better than "Cinderella". I loved the comedy, drama, and underlying love story.

1. Bianca has a number of admirers: Lucentio, Gremio, and Hortensio, but her father, Baptista Minola will not allow marriage until the older sister Katharina is married. Kate has a fiery tough and lashes Minola affection statements towards Bianca. Kate enraged destroys furniture, throws pottery, and curses a storm.
2. Biance's suitors convince Pertruchio to court Kate and win the dowry. Lucentio, a student changes roles and offers himself as Bianca's tutor. Shortly after, the real father of Lucentio arrives in town and confronts his imposter. Lucentio has to quick talk to passify his father. Gremio wants Bianca for himself, but Lucentio gets the girl. Lucentio, domestic and stable, young and strong, is the better choice.
3. Kate thinks to outsmart Pertruchio and embarrass him at the marriage alter, but before she can declare "I will not marry him", Pertruchio kisses her mid sentence after "I will". Pertruchio is late, drunk, and displays crass mannerism upon his church arrival. Petruchio thinks little of the religious ceremony and less affection towards the clergy.
4. Petruchio departs early from the marriage party with his servant Grumio. Petruchio compels Kate to leave with him, as his possession. Kate rides on a donkey and realizes hopeless that she can not return home. Now, Petruchio is not forcing her to follow, but out of necessity Kate follows.
5. Kate arrives at Petruchio's house but Petruchio denies her food.
6. Petruchio receives a letter announcing Bianca wedding to Lucentio and orders a dress designed and crafted for Kate, but finds fault with the dress and shreds the dress. Kate is forced to wear old clothes.
7. Petruchio gambles for 4,000 ducats on who has the most obedient wife. Each wife is asked to return to the room, but denies the request and only Kate obeys her husband. The room is shocked. Petruchio dominates and Kate submits to his request for a kiss.



March 17, 2008

 Annoying Acting
I watched this movie only through Act II. I could no longer take the constant screaming and screeching by Elizabeth Taylor. I know that Kate is a shrew, and I've read the play twice, but that doesn't mean that the part of Kate must be played with continual screeching. There are other ways to manifest shrewishness without screeching (tone of voice). Also, why is there so much running around and banging when Petruchio meets Kate? It is unnecessary to the point of being slapstick, and it's distracting from the dialogue. Finally, this movie is not completely faithful to the play, which is something else that bothers me.

I have watched three versions of this play (the Marc Singer version, this version, and the BBC version). None of them is completely adequate, and prior to seeing this version and the BBC version, I really wasn't too fond of the Marc Singer version. However, now I believe that the Singer version is the best one. At least in that version the acting is superb. January 28, 2008

 Safe and entertaining
I saw a glimse of this movie while in was traveling one day and I wanted to see the whole thing. I am a big fan of the older "safer" movies and am very glad I bought it. Highly entertaining! You will enjoy it if you like classic movies. November 17, 2007

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