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The Taming of the Shrew [DVD] [2001]

Elizabeth Taylor , Richard Burton , Franco Zeffirelli    Universal, suitable for all   DVD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
Price: £4.97 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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The Taming of the Shrew [DVD] [2001] + Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? [DVD] [1966]
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Product details

  • Actors: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Alfred Lynch
  • Directors: Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers: Franco Zeffirelli, Paul Dehn, Suso Cecchi D'Amico, William Shakespeare
  • Producers: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Franco Zeffirelli
  • Format: Anamorphic, PAL
  • Language: English, French
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Hindi, Portuguese, Turkish, Danish, Icelandic, Bulgarian, Swedish, Hungarian, Polish, Dutch
  • Dubbed: German, Italian, Spanish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: U
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent.
  • DVD Release Date: 19 Mar 2001
  • Run Time: 117 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000053W4Y
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,801 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

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

Product Description

Franco Zeffirelli directs Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in this 1967 adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Two very different daughters provide a problem for their father. Everybody falls in love with beautiful, calm, sweet Bianca, but her father won't let her wed until someone has married her fiery, vicious sister Kate (Taylor). Luckily, Petruchio (Burton) wants a rich wife so badly he takes her on (having fallen in love with her anyway), and his genuine love soon 'tames' her into being a devoted wife.


Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a wonderfull theatrical feast this Burton - Zeffirelli production is. Elizabeth Taylor gives the definitive performance of Katharina the shrew, with beautifull menacing eyes and almost insane aggression, which turns to classic charm and elegance, as she learns to love and respect.
Richard Burton at his peak delivers a commanding and humourous and equally powerful performance as Petruchio visiting Padua to find a wife. To eveyones relief, especially her father, Petruchio takes on Kate, a 'lusty wench' and it is obvious there is an immediate attraction, as they unravel Shakespeare's eloquent battle of the sexes magnificently. A coffer of 20,000.00 crowns, is no small incentive to the Bridegroom.
They are backed by an excellent cast, including Michael York as Lucentio, greatly enamoured of Kate's fair sister Bianca, (Natasha Pyne) who being the youngest is not allowed to marry before Kate. He and his Valet Hortensio (Victor Spinetti) swap roles in true Shakespearian manor, to gain access to the household, and woo Bianca. Giancarlo Cobelli plays the nervous priest at the wedding ceremony.
The success of this lavish spectacle owes a lot to the authentic and imaginative 16th Century costume designs. Costumes which Elizabeth Taylor displays radiantly were designed by Irene Sharaff, overall costume design by Danilo Donati, and production design by Renzo Mongiardino.
Music composed by Nino Rota, conducted by Carlo Savina, keeps the Paduan Festival atmosphere rolling
with lutes, flutes and sackbuts, and one or two very nice minstrell songs.
Running time is 117 minutes, but seems shorter because of the complete entertainment value; and this Columbia Tristar DVD of 2001 gives excellent wide screen colour and sound quality.
Special features include a short conversation with Elizabeth taylor, and Richard Burton, and their presentation at the Royal Command performance in London to Princess Margaret in 1967. That featurette alone is now memorable.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor at their best 24 April 2011
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw this film many years ago and remembered it with a hazy impression of enjoyment. On the news of her death I determined to obtain it and could not believe the price being quoted by Amazon.
My hazy memory was not at fault and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the film again. Elizabeth was so beautiful and talented and together with Richard Burton this is an amusing and lovable tale about a temperamental woman who finally becomes a joy to her husband.
If it is still available, buy it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars a complete success 26 Mar 2012
By rob crawford TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I watched this film with absolute delight - at the raucous humor, the very real chemistry between Taylor and Burton, the spectacle of scenes and costumes, and a great musical score. It is an entirely different animal from Zeferelli's Rome and Juliet, more of a comedy than tragedy, but extraordinarily vivid. Its underlying psychology, involving the "disciplining" of a very difficult adolescent in crisis, is also deeper than Zeferelli's other Shakespeare, with layers that can be discussed. My father, for example, was a psychiatrist, and he saw it as Petrucio handling a "borderline" personality with masterful insight. My wife and daughter disagreed, highlighting the "sexist" aspects of it. I think it is just fun.

Though I had seen it when it came out, I got it for my daughter (16), who is interested in Shakespeare. (My son, who thought it "weird" at 12 is the same age that I was when I saw it.) We like to get multiple versions of these classics, so even though she wasn't sure she liked it, it is food for thought, re-watching at another time. It is a wonderful, indeed indispensable, addition of our film library.

Recommended with enthusiasm.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars The Taming of the Shrew DVD 2001
Good value. The film is well acted and the colour of the film was about right. It is a good alternative to a theatre visit.
Published 9 days ago by P. C. Yerburgh
5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare at his best
Wonderful acting throughout the whole cast. This is Shakespeare brought to life.
Watch the film and then go to a live performance.
Published 19 days ago by MR MICHAEL BLACKLEY
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful. Taylor and Burton at their very very best...
Absolutely wonderful. Taylor and Burton at their very very best speaking the words of the master. Nothing could be better.
Published 24 days ago by Tat
4.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth Taylor magnificent
one of the great cinema pairings of all time - the chemistry is palpable. Burton reading the telephone directory would gain an Oscar. Read more
Published 1 month ago by passaro
5.0 out of 5 stars Great film.
I loved this film I first watched it on tv juat this year and was so desperate to watch it again I had to buy it, it's so funny and made me laugh all the way through plus the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maxine
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
Famous interpretation of a wonderful Shakespeare play.
Brilliant performances by Taylor and Burton at the height of their outstanding acting careers. Read more
Published 2 months ago by arnold.h
5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC TAYLOR/BURTON
love this film. I did have it on VHS video tape yonks ago. I forgot all about it until i saw on TV, then remembered what a brilliant film it is. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Melissa
4.0 out of 5 stars Not PC
I first saw this film many years ago and remembered it as being very funny. Times have changed, and political correctness has arriv ed, but this film is still funny and well... Read more
Published 4 months ago by christine dickinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Present for husband ...
arrived swiftly. Husband watched straight away and just loved it. Nothing like a Burton/Taylor casting for a great film ...
Published 5 months ago by Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Shakespeare that I know of.
This film is beautifully presented. Old fashioned values but a fun story. I remembered seeing this in B&W on TV a very long time ago and I thought that it was good. Read more
Published 6 months ago by C. R. Markley
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