Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

SimonJack Of the dozen movies that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made together, they are at their best in this Shakespeare comedy. Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 "The Taming of the Shrew" will likely remain the most lavish production of the play. The De Laurentiis Studios in Rome served up a huge gorgeous set for the telling of this play that has variously been done as outright farce, satire, social commentary and plain comedy. This Columbia Pictures production has a superb cast in addition to Burton and Taylor. Rome was the proper place for filming this production that is made up mostly of British and Italian performers. All of the cast are superb. Especially good turns were given by Cyril Cusack as Grumio, Michael Hordern as Baptista and Michael York as Lucentio. But all eyes, of course, were on Taylor and Burton – especially Taylor who in 1967 was the queen of Hollywood. Both stars, who were married to each other at the time, gave excellent performances. Taylor's take on the final scene was a different interpretation of the play, but works. Yet, I would have liked to see her instead make the final speech to the crowd in a satirical manner. Taylor's Katharina gives more presence and substance to the character than most interpretations. I agree with the critics who think that gives more oomph to the story. Yet, in this case I think Burton's performance is the best role in this film. His interpretation of Petruchio as the bombastic, roguish ruffian is very good, and very funny. He is not a bully but is intimidating to Katharina. I think his character more clearly defines the play/film as a farce, and therefore a satire on the social ways of old, about which Shakespeare penned so well. As of this time, I have not yet seen the 1980 BBC Television production, which stars John Cleese. I look forward to watching it one day for how differently he interprets Petruchio. But, in the meantime, this lavish 1967 film of the great Shakespeare comedy is a treat. It mercifully eliminates the induction (which I agree works only on the stage), and gives a nice prologue to open the story. One doesn't have to be a Shakespeare fan to enjoy this fine movie.

MissSimonetta While not as memorable or iconic as his Romeo and Juliet (1968), Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew (1967) is a delightful and vivid imagining of one of Shakespeare's most infamous plays.Like the 1968 R&J, Taming is set in Italy, but in terms of atmosphere, the two could not be more different. This production feels more earthy with its muddy streets and overdressed characters, unlike the later film, which feels romantic and almost ethereal. This approach works best for such a bawdy, vulgar comedy, filled with witty repartee, innuendo, and slapstick.Richard Burton is oafish, rambunctious, and a little sexy as Pertruchio, but it's Elizabeth Taylor who steals the whole film as the titular shrew. Despite never having been involved in a Shakespeare production on stage or in front of a camera, she delivers the verse well and gives Katherina an inner fire which never dies, even after she is supposedly "tamed" by Pertruchio. Her delivery of the controversial speech in the final scene is filled with irony. Though she seems to be extolling a wife's total subservience to her spouse, it's obvious she is only playacting for the public and her marriage will be more equal than Petruchio realizes.A good adaptation, especially for those who prefer traditionally staged Shakespeare to more modern re-imaginings.

laurahiggins111 Franco Zefferelli's adaption of William Shakespeare's classic play, The Taming of the Shrew, released in 1967 is one of the most effective Shakespeare adaptations of its time. Filled with celebrated actors, decadent costumes, and set against an opulent Italian backdrop, The Taming of the Shrew is a fast-paced and enchanting watch, infused with the classical comedic screenplay which made the original comedy-drama such a success. Zefferelli's adaptation stays true to the original play, whilst also receiving a more contemporary lift, making it an entertaining and enjoyable experience for all modern audiences. This attraction can certainly be partly credited to the casting of two renowned film stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the leading roles of Katherine and Petruchio. The casting of this particular couple who were actually married at the time allows them to bring their natural chemistry to the screen, adding a fiery disposition to their characters and making the principal relationship more authentic. In fact, the couple were described in the original trailer as playing, 'The motion picture they were made for...need we say more!' Indeed Taylor and Burton seem to intensely connect with their on-screen counterparts, the eccentric and passionate husband and wife. Taylor and Burton excel as the plays principal chaotic duo and for me, they were the major attraction of this adaptation. Taylor perfectly portrays Katherine's tempestuous nature, capturing the wildness of the Shrew so effectively that anyone who had formerly doubted Taylors potential to portray a leading Shakespearean lady were proved extraordinarily mistaken. Likewise Burton flawlessly depicts Petruchio as a self-absorbed and arrogant man, with the flair we have come to expect from the talented actor. Burtons Petruchio excellently emulates his wife's unruliness with his obscene expressions and constant state of inebriation. However, personally it was Taylor's performance in particular which captivated me. The adaptation for the most part stays true to the original plot, one crucial exception is that the traditional Induction is eliminated, commonplace for the majority of Shakespearean adaptations of the epoch. Some of the original subplot is omitted, such as the extent of attention on the relationship between Lucentio and Bianca, making room for more focus on the leading couple. The overall tempo of the film is fast paced, creating a dramatic and entertaining experience. The themes of male chauvinism, domestic violence and the repression of women are dealt with in such a comedic fashion it's easy to forget how harmful and prominent these issues actually are in contemporary society. Fortunately, Taylors Katharina appears to turn the tables on her Petruchio in the end, emphasizing the underlying control held by woman and giving a new edge to the apparently submissive character. The new domesticated Katharina who emerges in the end is ultimately proved to be deceptive by her exit, by cunningly pushing Petruchio to follow her and subjecting to him to scrutiny from his contemporaries. This pursuit is reminiscent of the chase which also occurs in their introduction. This portrays a power reversal which is contrasting to Shakespeare's conclusion and also slightly rebuffs the misogynistic overtone of the film making it evident who is really in charge. This slight alteration which shifts the balance of power is an appealing finale for the female audience. Overall the film retains its comedic aspect which makes it a humorous and enjoyable watch. Zefferelli shoots his exuberant motion picture against a picturesque Italian backdrop, certainly deserving of its two Academy Award nominations, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. The opulent costume design is reflective of the era, epitomizing the decadence of dress the 60's has come to be renowned for. The scenery is certainly inspirational, perhaps the sunny Italian atmosphere is intensified by the fact that Zefferelli himself is Italian which makes the environment more authentic, by having a native director who certainly knows what he is doing. These aspects are a key attraction to this version of The Taming of the Shrew, adding to and emphasizing the energy and fervour of the picture. On aspect of the film which was not so favourable and would have greatly added to its appeal had it been more successful was its score. Following the musical success of 'Kiss Me, Kate', which opened in London's West End in 1951, Nino Rota's musical composition feels slightly lacking in drama and excitement, a feature which did not escape the critics. Otherwise, The Taming of the Shrew was received to generally positive reviews from critics at the time of its release and it retains its timeless appeal even now.

emma-marnell Zeffirelli triumphs once again with his version of The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare. The 1967 film version of this play directed by Franco Zeffirelli is one that captures many similarities and differences between this film and Shakespeare's original play text. This film is set in Italy and is based around the marriage of two sisters who come from a wealthy family. Their father declares that until his eldest daughter Katharina is wed he shall not allow any man to pursue his younger daughter Bianca. Katharina's character in this film is very similar to Shakespeare's original portrayal of her, she is fiery, sharp tongued and ill-tempered just as she is in Shakespeare's original play text. In contrast to Katharina is her sister Bianca, Bianca is portrayed as a perfect and obedient character in this film as well as in Shakespeare's original text, however over the course of the film the characters of Katharina and Bianca develop and they change into completely different people to who they were at the beginning of the film and this is another similarity these characters have with the original text of the play. The character of Petruchio is represented in the same manner in which Shakespeare had originally portrayed him. Petruchio is driven by money in this film as he was in the original play text and he loves the idea of taming his shrewish wife Katharina. Zeffirelli makes multiple references to this element of his character for example he dangles things in front of her that she wants and establishes that he will decide if she gets them or not. There are many similarities between this film and the original play text however there are also some significant differences, for example Zeffirelli excludes the opening scene of the play from the film. This doesn't impact the film too greatly though even if we don't know it's a play within a play, as elements of this first scene in the play are seen in the first scene of the film as there is the drunkard tied up in the cage which may represent Cristopher Sly.Another difference between Zeffirelli's film version of this text and the actual play text itself is the comedy that is present throughout the entirety of this film. There are plenty of examples in the film of where comedic references are present one example is at both wedding scenes and both are by instigated by Petruchio, another example is when Petruchio is chasing Katharina around her house, another example is in the scene with Lucentios father just before the wedding. Petruchio seems to be at the heart of most of the comedic scenes in this film which makes him differ from Shakespeare's original portrayal of him in the play text. Zeffirelli's choice in casting for this film was spot on again as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are outstanding playing the characters of Katharina and Petruchio. There is undeniable chemistry between the two of them and as the film draws to a close this becomes more and more noticeable. Zeffirelli also does an exceptional job of capturing the colour and comedy present at the time in Italy. The costumes for one were outstanding and kept very much with the time capsule in which this play is set, the differences in the costumes of ordinary daily life to the ones at the wedding is captured with phenomenal detail in this film and Zeffirelli does an exceptional job in showing the differences between the two. The differences in costume between a poor woman and a wealthier woman are also present throughout this film as we see Katharina and Bianca in much more luxurious dresses than the less well-off women in this film. The comedic references that are made throughout this film are extremely precise within which time this play was set, for example in the very opening scene when there are people making fun of the drunkard. All in all I believe Zeffirelli's adaptation of "The Taming of The Shrew" by William Shakespeare is outstanding as he focuses on the little details such as the traits in which the characters present throughout the film, the development of Katharina's character, the comedic references throughout the film, the casting choices and the costume design.