The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
Country: IT/US
Technical: Technicolor/2.20:1 122m
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Michael Hordern, Cyril Cusack, Alfred Lynch, Michael York, Victor Spinetti
Synopsis:
A wealthy gentleman of Padua is beset by suitors for the hand of his daughter, but declines to give her away until her intractable elder sister is married. Fortunately, into town swaggers Petruchio, resolving to wed and caring little how, providing she is well dowried.
Review:
Zeffirelli's handsome production (give or take a couple of 'exterior shots') emphasizes physical comedy over the verbal jousting of the play, resulting at times in a very broad, Italian style. Petruchio's pursuit of Katherine through the storerooms of her father's property, and his barnstorming return home to dust-strewn lodgings, are two standout set pieces, but the denouement seems perfunctory and poorly prepared. Still, Burton and Taylor were ideal casting at the time and both look and sound fine, the former's performance a rare reminder he could speak verse naturally like no other in his day, and giving full vent to his wonderful throaty snigger.
Country: IT/US
Technical: Technicolor/2.20:1 122m
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Michael Hordern, Cyril Cusack, Alfred Lynch, Michael York, Victor Spinetti
Synopsis:
A wealthy gentleman of Padua is beset by suitors for the hand of his daughter, but declines to give her away until her intractable elder sister is married. Fortunately, into town swaggers Petruchio, resolving to wed and caring little how, providing she is well dowried.
Review:
Zeffirelli's handsome production (give or take a couple of 'exterior shots') emphasizes physical comedy over the verbal jousting of the play, resulting at times in a very broad, Italian style. Petruchio's pursuit of Katherine through the storerooms of her father's property, and his barnstorming return home to dust-strewn lodgings, are two standout set pieces, but the denouement seems perfunctory and poorly prepared. Still, Burton and Taylor were ideal casting at the time and both look and sound fine, the former's performance a rare reminder he could speak verse naturally like no other in his day, and giving full vent to his wonderful throaty snigger.
Country: IT/US
Technical: Technicolor/2.20:1 122m
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Michael Hordern, Cyril Cusack, Alfred Lynch, Michael York, Victor Spinetti
Synopsis:
A wealthy gentleman of Padua is beset by suitors for the hand of his daughter, but declines to give her away until her intractable elder sister is married. Fortunately, into town swaggers Petruchio, resolving to wed and caring little how, providing she is well dowried.
Review:
Zeffirelli's handsome production (give or take a couple of 'exterior shots') emphasizes physical comedy over the verbal jousting of the play, resulting at times in a very broad, Italian style. Petruchio's pursuit of Katherine through the storerooms of her father's property, and his barnstorming return home to dust-strewn lodgings, are two standout set pieces, but the denouement seems perfunctory and poorly prepared. Still, Burton and Taylor were ideal casting at the time and both look and sound fine, the former's performance a rare reminder he could speak verse naturally like no other in his day, and giving full vent to his wonderful throaty snigger.