The Taming of the Shrew

 

 

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For those of you who read my review on the play "The Taming of the Shrew," you know that I gave it 4 stars. This movie in no way falls short of the book. If anything, I would say that the movie gets an extra half star because it is here that Shakespeare's Literature meets Zeffirelli's phenomenal images. I think to appreciate this movie as much as possible, we should keep some things Isaac Asimov said in mind: (1. Kate is not simply a shrew. Shakespeare infers that Kate's character is the result of years of social rejection while her sister Bianca had anything she wished. Kate is so scarred that even love appears to be mockery to her. 2. Petruchio DOES NOT delight in his seemingly harsh actions. He feels sympathy for Kate and realizes that it may be the only way to help her. 3. Bianca is NOT a sweet helpless creature. If anything, she is somewhat of a spoiled brat. She is adored by several men; she has managed to monopolize her father's love; she has learned how to manipulate her father; and she delights in her sister's misery.) The movie itself is VERY WELL done. Burton and Taylor have a deep knowledge of the characters they are portraying. Just as Shakespeare's Lucentio is a love struck man who can't see the whole picture about Bianca, this is shown in the movie. One thing I must commend Zeffirelli on is how he is able to portray actions that Shakespeare mentions but does not have acted in the play. (Kate and Petruchio's wedding and Kate's fall into the mud are only mentioned in Shakespeare's play.) In their limited roles, Pedant and Vincentio are hilarious. (Pedant impersonates Vincentio and keeps Vincentio out of his son's house.) Overall, both the major and the secondary characters did an outstanding job. Zeffirelli not only gave us the story, but he added his phenomenal images to it. I once read that "Zeffirelli is often criticized for using phenomenal scenery that detracts from the play." It is a challange for me to be civil here but I will. 1.Zeffirelli (who also did "Jesus of Nazareth" is one of the most phenomenal directors I have seen. 2. Several recent productions of Shakespeare's plays have used scenery that is not only out of place and garrish, but almost makes a joke out of the outstanding works of Shakespeare. 3. What is wrong with the meeting of 2 wonderful minds?! With his fascinating images and phenomenal directing skills, Zeffirelli brings Shakespeare's writing to a whole new level of excellence! 4. The people who condemn Zefferelli's work will probably never be satisfied, so their complaints are not worth listening to. Get this video and enjoy the combined talents of William Shakespeare, Franco Zeffirelli, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor!

Took a long time to get her. Have seen it many times. Lovely costumes, good supporting cast ( Mercutio especially), but I personally prefer other productions e.g. Leanordo di Caprio and Clare Danes. Good to watch them as a pair.

Taylor and Burton lack the spark and the wit to make the Taming of the Shrew come to life. Please, if you want to see a good version of this, buy the one starring Marc Singer. The set is spare, but it has all the intelligence and fun that is absent from the Taylor / Burton rendition. I shared the Marc Singer version with my family over Christmas, and they all voted for it!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining!
This production is just lavish in terms of sets, costumes and number of extras.

It succeeds in making this (light) Shakespearean play very accessible to a general... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Pierre Gauthier

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun rendition
Baptista has two daughters: the eldest is Kate the cursed and beautiful Bianca. Everyone wants to marry Bianca but Baptista insists that it has to be Kate first. Read more

Published on Aug 8 2007 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars More Fun Than A Barrel Full Of Burtons
A rollicking feast for the eye, ear, and funny bone, Franco Zeffirelli's "The Taming of The Shrew" is a tour de force for Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Read more

Published on Jun 18 2004 by Michael C. Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bawdy Bard !
"The Taming of the Shrew" is a delightful romp, and very entertaining, even for people who do not normally go out of their way to watch Shakespeare. Read more

Published on April 5 2004 by peterfromkanata

4.0 out of 5 stars Burton & Taylor Are Pure, Fiery, & Feisty Sex Magic
No wonder Burton and Taylor married and divorced many times. The sexual tension between them in this film can be cut with a knife. Read more

Published on Mar 31 2004 by Sheila Chilcote-Collins

4.0 out of 5 stars HE THAT KNOWS BETTER HOW TO FILM A SHREW ...
We never do find out the source of Elizabeth Taylor's 'shrew's' dicontent and the idea of a woman being dominated into submission of behavior doesn't wash today, this still is a... Read more

Published on Mar 14 2004 by Guy De Federicis

4.0 out of 5 stars Accessible Shakespeare, Wonderful Movie
Surely, part of the point of making movies of Shakespeare's plays today is to make them accessible to a public who wouldn't ordinarily come into contact with his work. Read more

Published on Dec 17 2003 by Review Lover

3.0 out of 5 stars The best version by default, but not a winner
Zeffirelli is an interesting filmmaker in the way he lovingly recreates the world of William Shakespeare. Read more

Published on Oct 23 2003 by Mathias

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun, Great Autor, Great Actors
Elizabeth Taylor with then husband Richard Burton, both in top acting form, put up the money to produce this fun & well acted adapted version of a Shakespearean comedy. Read more

Published on Sep 22 2003 by John D. Dooley

4.0 out of 5 stars Long Live the Shrew!
Having loved Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Cleopatra, and being a huge fan of anything Shakespearean, I had my heart set on high praise for this movie from the opening... Read more

Published on Sep 9 2003 by ldysafire

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