Cheap The Taming of the Shrew (DVD) (Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton) (Franco Zeffirelli) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of The Taming of the Shrew

"Kiss Me, Kate!"
As in all Shakespeare stories, I feel it is important that viewers are familiar with the 'world' that he lived in. Otherwise, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is nothing short of the most sexist film of all time. The happy ending involves Katherine finally giving in and becoming a passive wife to her overbearing husband. Today, that would be "Jerry Springer" fodder. But, since we are intelligent viewers and understand the vein the story was written, this film is glorious. As a compassionate viewer, I was often distracted by the chauvenism (thus, only 4 stars). The startlingly beautiful Elizabeth Taylor portrays Katherine, the woman who needs an attitude adjustment. The late Richard Burton portrays the manipulative Petruchio, just the man to give "Kate' her make-over. 'Dick & Liz' give top notch performances, very nuanced and filled with fun. Director Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet) does a fantastic job bringing Padua to life and brings a true understanding of the language to the screen. Filled with lavish scenes (including some not written by Shakespeare but rather for this movie), the film delivers an impressive sense of worth. With the possible exception of Kenneth Branaghs MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, this is the most fun you can have watching Shakespeare on screen, even if its on the television. The widescreen DVD is nicely transferred and offers brief talent bios and a few Shakespeare trailers.

---

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. This pared down version of William Shakespeare's play is a fit morsel for anyone suffering from a fear of the Bard. It's fast pace keeps things going and with a cast of well-known British stars the whole thing is served up to delectable visual perfection.
Richard Burton blends his fabled abilities as a Shakespearian genius with his star power to give us a ribald and loveable Petruchio. This is one of his crowning moments on the screen and we are lucky to have this record of Mr. Burton at his very best.
Elizabeth Taylor is a comic revelation in this, one of her jewels in her acting crown. At the time the film came out, many scoffed at the idea of a mere movie star taking on the challenges of Shakespeare. Miss Taylor rises to the challenge and shines as a stunning, sexy and very funny Kate, in fact she more than rises to the occasion, she shows her command of the medium of film and her understanding of comic timing. The wedding scene is a pure Zeffirelli invention. If you didn't know better you would swear that it was part of the play, it is so well done in faux Shakespeare. Elizabeth shines in this scene. In the final fifteen minutes when she delivers the famous "Lord and Master" speech she is triumphant as she submits to her man. At the same time we know that she is the one who holds all the cards and in the off stage end will rule the roost from now on, all the while letting poor Petruchio think he is king.
The chemistry of Burton and Taylor is pure dynamite that explodes in riotous color across Zeffirelli's Renaissance canvas. Highly recommended viewing, especially if you are new to Shakespeare. It's more fun than a barrel full of Burtons!

---

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. I can imagine serious scholars rolling their eyes at the liberties taken here, and the "star turns" by those two icons of 60s Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

However, for most of us who basically just want to be entertained--and I suspect with this play, that was the bard's intent--this version is good fun, robustly acted, and with lovely sets and costumes, a feast for the eye. One suspects that Ms. Taylor had a ball, hurling insults and various pieces of furniture at her real-life, on-again off-again, spouse. It looks like Mr. Burton had a good time too, although one frequently has the impression that this was a "well-lubricated" performance !

The supporting cast is fine, with a pleasant film debut for Michael York. As usual, Zeffirelli gives us a film that is gorgeous to look at--and I'm not just referring to Ms. Taylor !
The DVD has a certain haziness to it, but this may be the way that Zeffirelli intended the film to look.

"The Taming of the Shrew" today, of course, is about as "politically incorrect" as a piece of literature can be. While women will find this film amusing, the idea that the female spirit should be "reined in" like that of a wild horse, will cause some discomfort to feminist viewers, I'm sure.

Nevertheless, this film is highly entertaining, and might give younger viewers an idea as to what all the Taylor/Burton fuss was about. Recommended.