The Taming of the Shrew (1967) 7.2
Brutish, fortune-hunting scoundrel Petruchio tames his wealthy shrewish wife, Katharina. Director:Franco Zeffirelli |
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The Taming of the Shrew (1967) 7.2
Brutish, fortune-hunting scoundrel Petruchio tames his wealthy shrewish wife, Katharina. Director:Franco Zeffirelli |
|
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Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Elizabeth Taylor | ... | ||
Richard Burton | ... | ||
Cyril Cusack | ... | ||
Michael Hordern | ... | ||
Alfred Lynch | ... | ||
Alan Webb | ... | ||
Giancarlo Cobelli | ... |
The Priest
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Vernon Dobtcheff | ... | ||
Ken Parry | ... | ||
Anthony Gardner | ... | ||
Natasha Pyne | ... | ||
Michael York | ... | ||
Victor Spinetti | ... | ||
Roy Holder | ... | ||
Mark Dignam | ... |
Baptista, a rich Paduan merchant, announces that his fair young daughter, Bianca, will remain unwed until her older sister, Katharina, a hellish shrew, has wed. Lucentio, a student and the son of a wealthy Pisan merchant, has fallen in love with Bianca. He poses as a tutor of music and poetry to gain entrance to the Baptista household and to be near Bianca. Meanwhile, Petruchio, a fortune-hunting scoundrel from Verona, arrives in Padua, hoping to capture a wealthy wife. Hortensio, another suitor of Bianca, directs Petruchio's attention to Katharina. When Hortensio warns him about Katharina's scolding tongue and fiery temper, Petruchio is challenged and resolves to capture her love. Hortensio and another suitor of Bianca, Gremio, agree to cover Petruchio's costs as he pursues Katharina. Written by alfiehitchie
There is no denying Franco Zeffirelli's visual sensibility, nor his dramatic strength. He takes this Shakespearean comedy, chops and cuts and edits the text to his liking, and regurgitates a wonderful film. If one were to watch the film without sound, it would still be entertaining, that is how well Zeffirelli put it together. But it wouldn't be enough without a terrific Kate, and Elizabeth Taylor, certainly in her prime in 1967, more than fills the bill. She hams it up when hamming is appropriate to the moment, and plays it with more subtlety when that is required. She is well matched by Richard Burton as Petruchio. He is good, but there is something not quite there. I think perhaps he seems more jaded and a tad less calculating than I'd expect in the role. I think I prefer the more caustic performance of John Cleese in this role.
I can't help but wonder what Zeffirelli would've done with an operatic version of this play.