The Taming of the Shrew (1967 film)
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The Taming of the Shrew is a 1967 film adaptation of the William Shakespeare play of the same name directed by Franco Zeffirelli. It stars the on-screen, off-screen couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor as the feuding husband and wife Petruchio and Katharine.
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[edit] Plot
Baptista Minola is attempting to marry off his two daughters; however, he will only marry his youngest, Bianca, if someone will marry his eldest, Katharine. The only problem is that Katharine is an angry, bad-tempered, and disreputable woman, and it is seemingly impossible to marry her off.
Enter Petruchio, a rowdy nobleman who decides to take on the challenge of marrying Kate. From there, it is a romantic, mad chase for Bianca's suitors and Petruchio to win the girl...or to tame her.
[edit] Interpretation of the Text
The film cuts much of the original dialogue, but allows more characterization to enter in. For example, much of the subplot of Lucentio and Bianca is cut, but at the same time, more characterization of Katharine and Petruchio is allowed. Zefferelli implies that Kate and Petruchio do like each other, and look at one another as equals.
The final, controversial speech is played seriously by Elizabeth Taylor; however, Zefferelli lets Kate have the last laugh, humiliating Petruchio by leaving the banquet without him. This act of definace thus gives a happy ending which implies that Kate's spirit is not broken, and that Petruchio has not succeeded.
[edit] Trivia
- Taylor and Burton put over a million dollars into the production, and instead of a salary, took a percentage of profits. [1]
- The film was originally a vehicle for Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. [2]
[edit] Awards
The film was nominated for and won several awards:
- Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Art Direction [3]
Nominated for Best Costume Design [4]
- BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best British Actor, Richard Burton [5]
Nominated for Best British Actress, Elizabeth Burton [6]
