This is a lavish presentation of William Shakespeare's classic comedy, highlighted by the ideally cast coupling of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the pivotal roles. Hers was the questionable characterization, but Ms. Taylor keeps "Katharina" well within her range, and sparks the original role with an appealing update. Burton balances with a fine interpretation of "Petruchio". The bombastic Burtons are only hindered by the relatively slight material; some of this humor doesn't transcend the centuries, although much is appreciated. Director Franco Zeffirelli and several in this company soon went to work on "Romeo and Juliet" (1968),which was a greater use of their skills.

******* The Taming of the Shrew (2/27/67) Franco Zeffirelli ~ Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Michael York, Natasha Pyne

In this production of The Taming of the Shrew it was Richard Burton's way of letting his wife Elizabeth Taylor in on his world, the world of the classics. He's wonderful as Petruchio and she acquits herself well as the shrewish Katharine.

Michael Hordern is the harried father of the lovely Bianca and her older sister, the beautiful, but independent Katherine. The sisters, Natasha Pyne and Elizabeth Taylor are as different as they come. Young Michael York is most interested in Pyne, but Hordern wants to see the older daughter married off at first. But Taylor scares off would be suitors.

Enter Richard Burton who's a roguish fortune hunter, but Hordern is quite willing to overlook that if he'll just take Taylor off his hands. The rest of the film concerns both Burton and York's parallel quests for their mates.

The Taming of the Shrew is probably best known to today's audience as the basis for Cole Porter's biggest Broadway success, Kiss Me Kate. Yet it's still stands well on its own as William Shakespeare's most rollicking comedy and a medieval treatise on feminism. Yet even when it's over, you're not quite sure just how submissive of a medieval wife Elizabeth Taylor will be.

Director Franco Zefirelli recreated medieval Padua with a great eye for detail. In that wedding, I'm sure he must have gotten Richard Burton good and plastered for the scene. Burton was one of the most legendary imbibers in screen history, but that scene was way too real to be just acting.

Laurence Olivier supposedly once told Richard Burton that he had a choice of being the greatest classical actor of his generation or a movie star. Too which Burton is supposed to have replied that he wanted both. I think he succeeded with The Taming of the Shrew.

The Taming of the Shrew is admittedly not my absolute favourite of Shakespeare's plays, but it is a fun if not so politically correct tale of Petruchio's subduing of his shrewish wife Katherina. This film version from Franco Zeffirelli, who also directed the wonderful 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, certainly looks very lush. The cinematography is very ravishing and the sets and costumes are nothing short of colourful and impressive, and Nina Rota's score is wonderful. Zeffirelli's direction is also secure, while opting for colourful action, the script is excellent and fairly faithful and the acting is very good. Both Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor give one of their better performances, Burton being perfect as the brutish lout known as Petruchio and Taylor alluring and convincing particularly in her final scenes as Katherina, and their chemistry is believable. As Baptista and Grumio Michael Hordern and Cyril Cusack give great support, while Michael York and Natasha Pyne are sweet as the young lovers Lucentio and Bianca. The film does drag in places, but overall, it is a beautiful film and a well done adaptation as well. I am impressed! 8/10 Bethany Cox