This 1967 film, based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name, was perfect for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who were three years into their marriage when they made it.
Due to the nature of the storyline (man tames independent woman and turns her into a meek and subservient wife), this is one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays, but it is also – for my money – one of his funniest. I consider myself to be a feminist, but that doesnt preclude me from enjoying this play immensely – and happily I loved every minute of this adaptation.
Liz Taylor plays the wild natured Kate, and Richard Burton is the lusty, arrogant Petruchio, who determines to marry her for the dowry, and tames her by treating her badly – his methods include refusing to allow her to eat, turning up to their wedding in ragged clothes, and taking off soon after the wedding. However he starts to genuinely fall for her, and actually ends up being tamed himself.
Burton was used to the classics, and had performed in Shakespeare adaptations prior to making this film. It shows – he fitted right into the part and carried it off with ease. Taylor had not done anything like this before, and was apparently very nervous. She certainly pulled it off – as beautiful as she undoubtedly was, I never really rated her as much of an actress, but she captured Kate’s wild spirit, and later her more peaceful demeanour, perfectly.
The supporting cast are excellent – a young Michael York is Lucentio, the man who hopes to marry Kate’s sister Bianca, who is forbidden from marrying any young man until her sister is married, and Cyril Cusack is great as Grumio (Petruchio’s friend), and Victor Spinetti as Hortensio – another potential suitor to Bianca – is extremely funny.
The film is very colourful, and extremely witty, with genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and lots of physical comedy. I enjoyed it thoroughly from beginning to end, would certainly recommend it, and will definitely watch it again in the future.
Year of release: 1967
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Producers: Franco Zeffirelli, Ricahrd Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard McWhorter
Writers: William Shakespeare (play), Franco Zeffirelli, Paul Dehn, Suso Cecchi D’Amico
Main cast: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael York, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Alfred Lynch, Alan Webb, Natasha Pyne, Victor Spinetti
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Click here for my review of the RSC’s 2012 stage adaptation.
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