The Taming of the Shrew (1967 film)

Infobox Movie
name = The Taming of the Shrew


image_size= 175px
caption= film poster
producer =
director = Franco Zeffirelli
writer = William Shakespeare (play)
Franco Zeffirelli (screenplay)
starring = Elizabeth Taylor
Richard Burton
music = Nino Rota
cinematography = Oswald Morris
editing = Peter Taylor
distributor = Columbia Pictures
released = 1967 | runtime = 122 min.
language = English
imdb_id = 0061407
amg_id = 1:48590

"The Taming of the Shrew" is a 1967 feature film based on a play by William Shakepeare about a courtship between two strong-willed people. The film was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as Shakespeare's Kate and Petruchio.

Plot and cast

Baptista Minola (Michael Hordern) is attempting to marry off his two daughters; however, he will only marry his youngest, Bianca (Natasha Pyne), if someone will marry his eldest, Katharina (Taylor). Katharina is a ill-tempered woman but a lusty young nobleman, Petruchio (Burton), takes on the challenge of taming and marrying her. A subplot involves the wooing of Bianca by several suitors including handsome Lucentio (Michael York), foppish Hortensio (Victor Spinetti), and elderly Grumio (Cyril Cusack).

Production details

The film cuts much of the original dialogue, but allows more characterization. For example, much of the subplot of Lucentio and Bianca is cut, but at the same time, more characterization of Katharina and Petruchio is allowed.

The final, controversial speech is played seriously] ; however, Zeffirelli lets Kate have the "last laugh", humiliating Petruchio by leaving the banquet without him. This act of defiance thus gives a happy ending which implies that Kate's spirit is not broken, and that Petruchio has not succeeded.

Taylor and Burton put over a million dollars into the production, and instead of a salary, took a percentage of profits. The film was originally a vehicle for Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.

Reception

Awards

Academy Awards nominations for Best Costume Design, and Best Art Direction. BAFTA Awards nominatons for Best British Actor (Richard Burton), and Best British Actress (Elizabeth Burton).

References