The Taming Of The Shrew [1967] | ![The Taming Of The Shrew [1967]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511QACZ7S8L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Actors: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Alfred Lynch
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £3.89
You Save: £16.10 (81%)
New (10) Used (2) from £3.89
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 3856
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, Pal, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Hindi (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Turkish (Subtitled), Danish (Subtitled), Icelandic (Subtitled), Bulgarian (Subtitled), Swedish (Subtitled), Hungarian (Subtitled), Polish (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), Arabic (Subtitled), Finnish (Subtitled), Czech (Subtitled), Greek (Subtitled), German (Dubbed), Italian (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 117 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5035822001534
ASIN: B000053W4Y
Theatrical Release Date: March 8, 1967
Release Date: March 19, 2001
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
The 1967 Franco Zeffirelli film of The Taming of the Shrew had all the ingredients to make it a high point in Shakespearian cinema. In Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor it starred the most bankable couple in Hollywood history as the sparring leads in the Bard's quick-firing comic battle of the sexes; and in Zeffirelli, it had a director with a Shakespearian pedigree second to none. But the reality is that this is Burton's picture all the way. His Petruchio is a weighty performance of such intelligence that the whole film is thrown off-kilter whenever he is on screen and the other performers just can't keep up. Apart from Michael Hordern's wonderfully distracted Baptista, Burton is the only actor in total, effortless command of the language. Taylor's bosomy glamour and fiery spirit are ample compensations for her occasionally murderous treatment of Katharina's verse. Whether or not she is really tamed by the end is another matter: those legendary violet eyes suggest otherwise. Ultimately it's a rich, bawdy and colourful romp, with Burton at the peak of his powers. The DVD includes the theatrical trailer, a "making-of" featurette and filmographies. --Piers Ford
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Taming of the Shrew Review October 19, 2007
S. Denton (Le Jardin d'Angleterre)
I'm studying this play and bought this Franco Zafirrelli / Elizabeth Burton version as it was dirt cheap on amazon. I found it more enjoyable than the BBC version (as did my wife), even though we both preferred John Cleese's to Richard Burton's Petruchio. It gains over the BBC version by not having that awkward out of place hymn at the end (and after Shakespeare note-worthily eschewed religious arguments in Kate's final speech)! Also, the dialogue is here more clearly and comprehensibly spoken; it is just a shame it misses out the majority of it! There are a lot of visual gags to retain the interest of those who do not follow the language used. Unfortunately it also misses some of the plot points for the minor characters along the way, although it does portray the main relationship really well (doubtless feeding on the off-screen relationship of the stars). Finally, it is very noticeably studio-bound and some people may find it too interpretive and 'Hollywood'. In summary though, this is definitely worth watching, very entertaining and enjoyable whether you are a Shakespeare fan or not.
A fun rendition August 9, 2007
B. Chandler (Arlington, Texas)
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. Suitors rivaling over Bianca have to find someone desperate enough to marry Kate for economic purpose.
One of the things that make this movie is all the money that was put onto the props and costumes. Of course with the big named actors and Franco Zeffirelli money for the program is naturally available.
Elisabeth Taylor can make squinty eyes and does not use her naturally squeaky voice. The film stays true to the story however it does not come near the professional and just a fun 1980 BBC version production with John Cleese as Petruchio.
 Essential piece of movie history!!! July 30, 2006
K. I. Quintyne (Dublin , IRELAND)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!
This is a brilliant tale with Taylor and Burton drawing on their tremendous on and off screen chemistry to breathe fresh life into one of Shakespeare's finest works...
Reading the play might not get all so excited about his works, but Taylor breathes genuine life into the indominable Shrew!!! Burton plays a lovable rogue... and it all comes together rather well... Finer words could not have been written, but their delivery is what makes it more appreciable to the audience...
Plain and simple - well worth mutliple viewings, might give some an insight into more contemporary pieces like Moonlighting... and where they got there idea for magic of the main characters being at loggerheads...
A true gem - well worth its price!!!
Nice to see an old friend February 15, 2006
Mr. Jon C. Whowell (Rutland, England)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
I was in the British Merchant Navy in the early 1970's. we used to get 16 mm films sent to us and would watch them usually on a Saturday night , sometimes projected onto a screen under the stars. Taming of the Shrew got to us somewhere in the Arabian Gulf and I managed to keep it on our ship for over 4 months and must have watched it over 70 times. The same ship watched Kelly's Heroes 120 times !! The film is such a great vehicle for all the players and they all seem to have enjoyed it. The chemisty between Burton and Taylor is awsome both pay it robustly and lustily. But the detail is also superb, the last scene is not PC but then neither was the writer ! get the film, get a bottle of Chianti, get some pasta and enjoy. Its great ! I enjoyed the subtitle from the screen writers who thanked Shakespeare, thats how many times I watched it. - enjoy.
Brilliant December 19, 2004
Doi Ling
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
After studying the play in its text version in my English Literature class, we were shown this Zefferelli film. To my amazement, it surpassed my expectations and managed to keep the comedy. In truth, Petruchio was not what I expected from the first glance, but gradually, I felt that Richard Burton was very well suited to the role. For the time, it is a rather lavish production and I recommend everyone to see it.
|
|
|
