The Taming of the Shrew (1967)

Am I Missing Something?

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

first time, I saw it when I was a child. and, for me, it remains one of the most provocative films . the motifs - many. maybe, too many. because it is Shakespeare but it is , in same measure, Taylor and Burton. it is a savage show. it is one of special films using you as part of it. all is remarkable. all is exciting. and this is the key for discover it . again and again. as a trip in a world who, so far by yours,preserves the flavor of rain, the smells of wed grass, the drops of carnival. so, a rare film. because it is just an experience.

Richard Burton is amazing. He just is. There's no one else in the world who can speak Shakespeare and make me understand what he's actually saying. I took drama classes for five years, and I always coasted through the Shakespeare sections. It truly was a foreign language to me; no one could get through to me.No one besides Richard Burton. In The Taming of the Shrew, Burton plays a fortune-seeker intent on wooing and marrying an infamous rich manhater, played by his wife Elizabeth Taylor. The two bounce off each other beautifully, and both energy levels are intense, but whenever she spoke, I heard a foreign language. I'm not trying to dis her performance, but whatever she was saying, she wasn't saying it in a way that was clear to a non-Shakespeare speaker. When Burton spoke, he translated. It was incredible. I was able to follow the plot! I laughed at the jokes and listened to the dialogue.For those of you whose knowledge of Shakespeare doesn't extend past 10 Things I Hate About You (the fantastic modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), this movie is for you. If you actually like Shakespeare (more power to you) then you'll definitely want to watch this one. It's obvious Burton shares your love and understanding, and his passion is wonderful to watch on the screen.And, if you liked this movie, be sure to watch Richard Burton's version of Hamlet. It's truly incomparable.

Often overshadowed by his most famous of love stories (Romeo and Juliet), there is no denying, in this most flamboyant creation of a dramatic comedy and romance, Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is in comparison, highly unknown and unrecognized to the common world of today. However, in saying this, there is also one place where this story is indeed recognisable in many shapes and forms. Though it may not possess the same marketing value as that of Verona's famous pair of star crossed lovers, The Taming of the Shrew has always had an unusual popularity in the world of film. So much that it was this story to be the first put to the screen with sound and dialogue by Sam Taylor in 1929, which made it the first Shakespearian play adapted to film with the actual use of the language. Yet while Taylor's attempts are certainly admirable, there is simply no competing with a Franco Zefferelli production of Shakespeare. In true Zefferelli fashion, his 1967 adaptation is visually spectacular, and from the very first few minutes in, you are immediately captivated by the buoyant spirit and energy present within the streets of our fair Padua. Though Zefferelli is not completely faithful to the original script, it is barely noticeable and easily forgiven as he still remains so wonderfully loyal to the story in many other important ways. For example, through the use of exuberant music and bright costume, Zefferelli manages to intensify the vibrancy of the comical atmosphere as well as the contrasting character personalities. However, the most intensifying aspect to the film in itself is most definitely the acting. There is a clumsy and awkward unpredictability in the energy of the crowds that gather throughout the film. But this is also present in the behaviour of central characters, and there seems to be conflict almost everywhere. Even the little children who carry the train of Kate's wedding dress are fighting. Though this does give it a sort of pantomime feel at times, I believe Zefferelli's intention was to keep the arguments amusing rather than actually violent. Therefore, he chooses to tackle the destructive nature of the play in a way that is true to the story but still entertaining for the audience. A story so renowned for its daring and rambunctious nature, The Taming of the Shrew is truly unique to its time and setting. With a love/hate relationship present between our two central characters (who often seem more prone to violence than anything else) Shakespeare does extremely well in challenging the typical preconceptions of love and marriage between man and woman of the time. Therefore, in order to successfully give us the right balance of this vicious yet amusing relationship on screen, the director's most important task lies in finding the actors who are capable. This is something of which I believe Zefferelli succeeds in more than anyone. With his risky and bold decision in casting a couple almost as notoriously wild as their characters, Zefferelli like others before him, deemed only a real life marriage worthy enough to possess the experience and knowledge needed in order to truly do the relationship justice. The difference was that this couple excelled. The legendary Richard Burton with his long career of Shakespearean drama was the perfect fit as our tamer Petruchio. Although his then wife Elizabeth Taylor was not the most ideal choice as Kate, (with no previous experience of Shakespeare,) it was not her reputation as an actress that landed her the role of the shrew, but her reputation as a tenacious wife. I must admit, as a massive fan of Taylor, I found myself trying extremely hard not to be bias in judging her performance as Kate. Although it wasn't exactly an Oscar winning performance, especially in comparison to Burton as Petruchio, I found Taylor's efforts as Kate truly commendable. Especially after having to bare the close to mute version of her played by Mary Pickford in 1929, I found myself almost grateful for the over dramatic moments given by Taylor. There's no denying that overall Burton was the ultimate star, but I believe that without Taylor as his fiery Kate, the film could have never reached its full potential. This was primarily the reason why Zefferelli took the risk of casting an amateur like Taylor in the first place. He knew that without an independent woman who was just as capable of handling Burton, as Kate is in handling Petruchio, the film would fall flat. And so he bases his decision on the chemistry of the actors rather than the ability to act, as they are truly believable on screen and everything is very natural between them. For example when you see a furious Kate giving Petruchio that signature scowl from across the room, you cannot help but feel like they have exchanged this look a thousand times before. Overall, I found Zefferelli's 1967 adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew truly enjoyable. While the imaginative costume, music and architecture is signature to a Zefferelli creation, it was the rustling and energetic atmosphere of Padua so exceptionally represented that had me immediately enthusiastic from the very beginning. I also found myself extremely grateful for the length of the film, as the 1929 version disappointingly, just ran over an hour long. Though he will always be criticized by some for his decision to not stick to the original script, I believe that Zefferelli was faithful to Shakespeare in all of the important ways. His efforts in paying enough attention to the main characters were his greatest success. As he had learnt from Sam Taylor's mistakes before him in 1929, how that passion and chemistry could very well easily be the determining factor to the films ultimate rise or fall.

This 1967 film, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, was perfect for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who were three years into their marriage when they made it.Due to the nature of the storyline (man tames independent woman and turns her into a meek and subservient wife), this is one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays, but it is also – for my money – one of his funniest. I consider myself to be a feminist, but that doesn't preclude me from enjoying this play immensely – and happily I loved every minute of this adaptation.Liz Taylor plays the wild natured Kate, and Richard Burton is the lusty, arrogant Petruchio, who determines to marry her for the dowry, and tames her by treating her badly – his methods include refusing to allow her to eat, turning up to their wedding in ragged clothes, and taking off soon after the wedding. However he starts to genuinely fall for her, and actually ends up being tamed himself.Burton was used to the classics, and had performed in Shakespeare adaptations prior to making this film. It shows – he fitted right into the part and carried it off with ease. Taylor had not done anything like this before, and was apparently very nervous. She certainly pulled it off – as beautiful as she undoubtedly was, I never really rated her as much of an actress, but she captured Kate's wild spirit, and later her more peaceful demeanour, perfectly.The supporting cast are excellent – a young Michael York is Lucentio, the man who hopes to marry Kate's sister Bianca, who is forbidden from marrying any young man until her sister is married, and Cyril Cusack is great as Grumio (Petruchio's friend), and Victor Spinetti as Hortensio – another potential suitor to Bianca – is extremely funny.The film is very colourful, and extremely witty, with genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and lots of physical comedy. I enjoyed it thoroughly from beginning to end, would certainly recommend it, and will definitely watch it again in the future.