Taming of the Shrew

Starring:Douglas Fairbanks
Studio: Jef Films Inc.
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

The Taming of the Shrew
great!!!!!
A Classic ,I Love To Hate You...
Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton
The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio

The Taming of the Shrew
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor , Richard Burton , Cyril Cusack , Michael Hordern , and Alfred Lynch
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JL7T
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Amazon.com essential video

Liz and Dick (a.k.a. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) almost seemed to be importing the psychodramas of their marriage into this 1967 film (of course, the same was true of every film they made together). Adapted from Shakespeare's play and directed by Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet) with his usual eye for sumptuousness, this version of Taming features a particularly boisterous, bawdy, fun performance by its stars. Composer Nino Rota--best known for scoring several of Fellini's best-known works--received a National Board of Reviews award for his vivid soundtrack. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

The Taming of the Shrew.......2007-07-02

One year before his outstanding adaptation of the Bard's "Romeo and Juliet", Zeffirelli displays all his buoyant energy and stylistic flair in making this venerable old comedy fresh and exciting. With the exception of Albee's "Virginia Woolf" made the prior year, on- and off-again spouses Taylor and Burton were never better teamed. A young Michael York and crafty Cyril Cusack stand out with veteran Hordern in a stellar supporting cast. Here's another Kate worth kissing.

great!!!!!.......2007-05-16

this is a great movie, and elizabeth tayor shows, that she can be funny and not always serious in her movies:-)

A Classic ,I Love To Hate You..........2007-03-30

Elizabeth was never better,of course so is Richard. They love to hate one another and it shows through the works of Shakespeare. A classic that I fell in love with in English class. Thank you Miss Grant for insisting on this one.

Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton.......2007-01-25

Never having been a fan of Shakespeare while in school this wonderful film version of the Bard's rollicking comic story was responsible for me seeing his works in a different light. Considered quite a risk to film in late 1966 due to Shakespeare's reputation for serious literary works which possibly lacked alot of mass appeal, this sumptuous film version of one of his best comedies became a surprise hit at the Box Office proving that Shakspeare could be big box office. The film proved an ideal vehicle for screen legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton who in the mid 1960's were without a doubt the most famous or "infamous", movie couple in the world. Fresh from their triumph in the critically acclaimed "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", for which Elizabeth was destined to win her second Academy Award as Best Actress, "The Taming of the Shrew", proved to be an ideal follow up to that more serious earlier effort for the Burtons. Both films were unique in that they gave audiences the impression that what they were actually seeing on screen was very similiar to the much chronicled and very volatile real life marriage of the two colourful super stars. That in itself despite "Shrews", many admirable qualities ensured big box office earnings. Whether it did accurately reflect the Burton's real life marriage or not "The Taming of the Shrew", is a hugely entertaining romp that stands on its own merits and is a rare film based on a highly intellectual work that can be enjoyed by all viewers with its incredibly rich sets, breath taking costumes and music. Richard Burton and especially Elizabeth Taylor have rarely been better than here and it is sad to think that this film marked the last time where their names together on a film guaranteed its automatic success at the Box Office.

The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio.......2007-01-21

It is said that when the director was deciding who to play the parts of this Shakespeare comedy, he was visiting Elizabeth and Richard during one of their marital fights. He knew then who had to star in his production. His choice was perfect with Richard Burton as the light-hearted but firm Petrucio and Liz as the firey untamed sultress. This one will have you in stitches in short order while enjoying some of the most colorful lines of the english language. The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio.

The Taming of the Shrew (Broadway Theatre Archive)

Average customer rating:

Hilarious and absolutely brilliant
Clear, Concise and REALLY FUN TO WATCH!
If only all Shakespeare productions were this Great!
Energy and Joy
One of the classics!

The Taming of the Shrew (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Starring: Raye Birk , Earl Boen , Ron Boussom , Barbara Dirickson , and Bobby F. Ellerbee
Director: Kirk Browning
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006G8HO
Release Date: 2002-07-30

Description

San Francisco's prize-winning American Conservatory Theater's rowdy commedia dell'arte production incorporates slapstick, pratfall and earthy humor into William Shakespeare's comedy about the two unmarried daughters of a wealthy Italian merchant. While daughter Bianca is genteel and popular, daughter Kate is foul-tempered and strong-willed. No one dares to marry Kate, until Petruchio arrives in Padua and tries his hand at courtship. "...delivered with such clarity." --The New York Times. With Fredi Olster, Marc Singer, Stephen St. Paul, Sandra Shotwell, and William Paterson.

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious and absolutely brilliant.......2007-07-04

I doubt that I'll ever see a better "Shrew" than this American Conservatory Theatre production, and I've seen several Shrews in my life. William Ball's decision to stage it in the commedia dell'arte style was a stroke of genius that contextualizes the plot and energizes the comedy. It allowed him to drop the awkward and incomplete frame Shakespeare provides in his prologue. In its place he gives us a much more satisfying literal frame in which the bare acting area is surrounded by an "offstage" where the musicians and the clowns sit in view alongside the actors who are not involved in the current action.

From the moment when the first clowns suss out the space and then tip-toe elaborately onto the stage, we know we're in for something extraordinary and even magical. A lesser director and a less talented cast might not be able to sustain this elaborate conceit -- actors acting actors in a play within a play. But the energy, the audacity, the comedy, and the fun never flag. The performance is transporting. And when, after the bows and the applause, the players retire and the last clown stealthily closes the gate like the last fairy at daybreak removing the last evidence of their frolic, we return to ordinary space and understand that theatre like this is as close to magic as we're likely to get.

That brings me to a practical point. I taught high school English for many years and covered a lot of Shakespeare in that time. Without any doubt, I can say that this production is how you seduce teenagers into enjoying Shakespeare. With any class in any year, it works. Ten minutes in, and even a Grade 10 technical class is lapping it up and begging for more. The action so illuminates the lines, and the actors speak so well, that you don't even need texts; they just get in the way. The tomfoolery and the generous eye candy ensure that nobody gets bored, so nobody gets left behind. Commedia dell'arte can be very broad, and this play is as well, so if your school administration or your community is prudish, you should perhaps be cautious. But in any other school, bring it on!

Clear, Concise and REALLY FUN TO WATCH!.......2007-04-05

This is a fantastic version of TAMING OF THE SHREW. For anyone who is interested in really studying the text (and hearing it spoken correctly), this is the version for you! The actors speak clearly and loudly and the main point is that they completely understand what they are saying - (yipee!) They also have an uncanny way of "speaking the speech" which gets it across to the audience as clear as day. You dont need to understand 'Shakespearean verse' to see this performance. The actors breeze through this with ease and simplicity and look like they are having a blast - which I belive they are!

If only all Shakespeare productions were this Great!.......2007-03-11

I saw this live at ACT in San Francisco like another reviewer. I had seen Shakespearean movies before but this was my first attendence at a live staging of one of his plays. Wow! It was fantastic. I was just telling our dinner guests tonight that every production I see of Shakespeare's plays I compare to this one -- because it was The Best.

The stage sets are minimal, but the costumes are vibrant, and the actors are energetic and speak their lines in a way that adds new insight to those who have only read the play. The scenes between Kate and Petruchio are delightful. I wish everyone who loves Shakespeare could have been there to see this version live.

Because of my attendence at this ACT stage peformance, I tend to be critical of many of the Hollywood versions of Shakespeare. They may have superior film quality and cinematography but they just cannot compare to stage versions in the quality of the acting and the clever interpretation of Shakespeare's lines. These stage versions bring Shakespeare to life. The actors make the lines in play come to life, adding humor to lines that did not seem funny when reading the play. The repartee in this stage version is wonderful.

Recommendation (I hope this is released on DVD too):
I do not know if this other ACT Shakespeare play production was filmed but I will mention it too: When the Geary theatre reopened in San Francisco after repairs of the damage from the 1989 earthquake, the ACT christened the opening of the refurbished theatre with a production of The Tempest. This is apparently a stage tradition ensuring good luck for the theatre just as putting on Macbeth is considered bad luck. I convinced my husband that we HAD to go see the Tempest. I told him how wonderful the ACT Taming of the Shrew had been.

While not quite as exciting (for me) as the ACT Taming of the Shrew from the 70s, The Tempest was still very good. I had read the play at least twice before hand and seeing it staged at ACT was eye-opening. Again, lines that did not seem funny when reading the play became hilarious with the interpretion of them by the ACT actors. Again, the stage set was minimal, the costumes superb and the acting excellent. This ACT version also incorporated some very creative puppetry. This was my husband's first exposure to Shakespeare on stage. He was blown away.

Energy and Joy.......2007-01-03

The Taming of the Shrew is not my favorite Shakespeare play - too politically incorrect! - but this is one of my favorite versions of any Shakespeare. The stage is set in a plain manner, making no attempt to gloss over the fact that it is, in fact, a play - as opposed to dazzling and distracting the audience with background. The spareness of the set, even the choice of the colors used for the costumes, keep the attention focused on the actors and Shakespeare's amazing language.

The ascetic nature of the set is more than made up for by the exuberance of the actors and the exaggerated, but breathtaking choreography. Lines come to life in a way that make you laugh aloud: "Methinks you walk like a stranger," and "My eyes were dazzled by the -- sun?" are two memorable examples. Grumio's halitosis, Bianca's sighs, Hortensio and the broken lute - to say nothing of the cheers that erupt whenever Padua is mentioned - these all are instances of the marvelous directing and the cast's ability to manage the split-second pace.

A special tribute must be made to Marc Singer, who, as Petruchio, carries much of the play - as well as many of the other actors! He's extremely easy on the eye, and is explicitly appreciated by Fredi Olster in her role as the cursed Katerina. She brings depth to her role, too, by the expression in her eyes, and you realize that during the course of the play she has tamed Mad Petruchio.

As a DVD, there's not much offered in the way of special features. But don't let that stop you from buying it! It brings Shakespeare to life with both energy and joy, and you will adore having it perform in your living room.

One of the classics!.......2006-09-18

This is another memory in my favorite plays - I saw this on A&E in the '80's and fell in love with Marc Singer - his acting, his looks - this version from the ACT in San Francisco is sensuous, and gives a mighty kick to the play - makes a delightful play even more so.
I have been looking for this version since I saw it and never found it - Now here it is on Amazon!
This series - Broadway Theatre Achives - is a great way to open the world of Shakespeare to those who think Shakespeare doesn't relate to present day - or just want a delightful version of this classics.

Average customer rating:

Who Cares That Its Shakespeare?
A Shakespeare Comedy still funny in our day

The Taming of the Shrew
Starring: Joseph Cawthorn , Clyde Cook , Douglas Fairbanks , Dorothy Jordan , and Edwin Maxwell
Director: Sam Taylor
Manufacturer: Telavista
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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World War II Collection, Vol. 2 - Heroes Fight for Freedom (36 Hours / Air Force / Command Decision / Hell to Eternity / The Hill / Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo)

ASIN: B0007TKOGY
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Description

This "talkie" is the only film co-starring Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. This print is from the 1966 re-release, the only film Miss Pickford allowed since her retirement. It is faithful to the original except that new music and new sound effects were added by Mr. Marty Kemp of the Mary Pickford Company during his painstaking restoration of the film. Seven minutes of the footage that were in the original were removed in bits and pieces to tighten the editing and the sound of the voices was improved by new re-recording techniques since only the original sound discs, scratched and deteriorated over the years remained as the source material.

Customer Reviews:

Who Cares That Its Shakespeare?.......2005-09-09

Shakespeare is always difficult to watch for most people, especially when it is left in any of the original dialogue. It seems inaccessible and silly for the most part. This version of the Taming of the Shrew retains some of the original dialogue although much has been changed while remaining similar. However, it is acted well and with comprehension which helps the reader to understand the motives behind the words even if the words are not heard absolutely clearly or if they are not completely understood. This is thanks to their training on the stage and the silent screen.

This film is also hindered by its being an early talkie made only in 1929, two years after the first talkie was made. The technology was crude, often planting actors near stationary objects where microphones could be hidden and employing large gaps of silence between spoken word. Unexpectedly though, this film is neither static nor silent. It abounds with action and cleverly placed points for speaking so that the actors could move around when not delivering lines. It also used background music to pad scenes that had no dialogue and sound effects when necessary. What results is a film that technologically was ahead of its time.

Part of the draw to this film was the stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, Hollywood's golden couple. The two were in their downfall, and making this film together contributed to the tension between them. Still, they have tremendous chemistry and talent which enables them to give a wonderful show. However, it seems to be more of a vehicle to showcase Fairbanks than Pickford.

This film, although ridden with a few Shakespearean stereotypes such as quivering jesters and servants, has a modern comedic flair. Mary Pickford's excellent screwball-esque timing and Douglas Fairbanks' overbearingly forward personality prove that the two should not have been on the decline. Sadly, the public wanted new stars to replace the ones they had loved so dearly during the silent era. This is the only reason that this film was not the large success that it should have been. For a Shakespeare film, it is wonderful.

A Shakespeare Comedy still funny in our day.......2005-06-16

This is a rather unusual and special old film, originally made in 1929 and restored with new music and some editing for a re-release in 1966, and which has now been digitally remastered for this DVD. The main thing to strike the general viewer as unusual or special is its blend of Shakespearian dialogue, medieval European setting and slapstick-style comedy, but once accustomed to the language, this farcical story is as fresh and funny as any contemporary comedy. Needless to say, the material of Shakespeare's best-known work is timeless, and "The Taming of the Shrew" is no exception. The story is about a rich merchant who wants to marry off his eldest daughter, Katherine, but no one will have her because of her bad temper and penchant for whip-cracking and throwing objects across the room. Then along comes Petruchio who happily embraces the challenge to tame this shrew, and does so by using reverse psychology and giving her a taste of her own medicine by deliberately irritating, humiliating and contradicting her at every turn. But will she weaken, or work out what he's doing and reverse the psychology? Anyone with a good sense of humour will find plenty of laughs such as Petruchio's loud chomping on an apple during the wedding ceremony to annoy Katherine and break her wild spirit, and one wonders how much of this approach might really work for such shrewish personalities!

The main characters of Katherine and Petruchio are masterfully portrayed by Hollywood's most popular couple of the 1920s: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, and "The Taming of the Shrew" was their first - and alas, last - picture they made together. Fairbanks grew up with Shakespeare and began his acting career in a Shakespearian play, but ended up doing comedies on Broadway before his famous decade of action/adventure films in the 1920s, playing characters like Zorro, Robin Hood and D'Artagnan. When the sound era began in 1929, Fairbanks was no doubt eager to do a Shakespeare play with the new medium of sound film. Although some audiences might not have liked the sudden change in characters for both of these big stars, I personally enjoyed seeing them in very different roles, especially Mary Pickford as the bad-tempered shrew which is in total contrast to her famous "America's Sweetheart" screen persona. Both of them give a powerful and memorable performance, and this new DVD edition has very good picture and sound quality. My only quibble is that the speech is a bit difficult to understand at times; perhaps a combination of the Shakespearian dialogue and the age of the recording, but not bad enough to lose the plot or miss any witty remarks in this timeless farce about shrews, marriage and the men who attempt to tame a shrew.

The Plays of William Shakespeare - The Taming of The Shrew

Average customer rating:

The Taming of the Shrew
Awful at any price

The Plays of William Shakespeare - The Taming of The Shrew
Starring: Franklin Seales , Karen Austin , Kathryn Johnson , and Larry Drake
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000059XTW
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Description

The clearest and most understandable Shakespeare productions ever made. Staged as seen in the 16th Century, featuring award-winning performers. The ever-popular play examining the comedy of courtship. Starring Franklin Seales, Karen Austin, Kathryn Johnson and Larry Drake. 115 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

The Taming of the Shrew.......2004-03-20

I saw this movie years ago and loved it. When I saw it on Amazon I knew I had to have it, especiallly since it was one of my favorite Shakesphere plays. The actors have done an excellent job capturing the fire and wit of the characters, I thourghly enjoyed it.

Awful at any price.......2001-06-29

One star is too high a rating for this production of Taming of the Shrew. It was so campy and cheap that it was a torture to watch. I wanted to throw something at the screen everytime Grumio mugged directly into the camera lens. The tinny and repetitive synthesized music is also extremely grating on the nerves. The cover literature of this cheaply packaged disc makes a point of stating that "English accents... are absent from this series" in order to achieve "clarity of both language and story." Translate this as: "Dumbed-down for North Americans." I'm insulted! This disc is awful at any price.

The Shakespeare Collection - Romeo and juliet/Taming Of The Shrew / Twelfth Night/The Tempest (Boxset)

Average customer rating:

The Shakespeare Collection - Romeo and juliet/Taming Of The Shrew / Twelfth Night/The Tempest (Boxset)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

The Taming of the Shrew
great!!!!!
A Classic ,I Love To Hate You...
Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton
The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio

The Taming of the Shrew [Region 2]
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor , Richard Burton , Cyril Cusack , Michael Hordern , and Alfred Lynch
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Hamlet
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ASIN: B000059X0J

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

The Taming of the Shrew.......2007-07-02

great!!!!!.......2007-05-16

this is a great movie, and elizabeth tayor shows, that she can be funny and not always serious in her movies:-)

A Classic ,I Love To Hate You..........2007-03-30

Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton.......2007-01-25

The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio.......2007-01-21

Average customer rating:

Taming of the Shrew
Starring: Karen Austin , Franklyn Seales , Bruce Davison , Larry Drake , and Jeremy Lawrence
Director: John Allison (III)
Manufacturer: Tapeworm Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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The Taming of the Shrew (Broadway Theatre Archive)
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The Taming of the Shrew

ASIN: 6305239436
Release Date: 1998-11-10

Average customer rating:

Shakespeare: The Taming Of The Shrew

Manufacturer: Morningstar (Tnt200)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew (Broadway Theatre Archive)
10 Things I Hate About You

ASIN: B0000CA1F2
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Average customer rating:

The Taming of the Shrew
great!!!!!
A Classic ,I Love To Hate You...
Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton
The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Romeo & Juliet
Much Ado About Nothing
Hamlet
Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

ASIN: B000053W4Y

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

The Taming of the Shrew.......2007-07-02

great!!!!!.......2007-05-16

this is a great movie, and elizabeth tayor shows, that she can be funny and not always serious in her movies:-)

A Classic ,I Love To Hate You..........2007-03-30

Joyous Shakespearian Romp Starring Film Legends Taylor And Burton.......2007-01-25

The quintessential Catherine and Petrucio.......2007-01-21

The Taming of the Shrew / Ukrocshenie stroptivoj

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The Taming of the Shrew / Ukrocshenie stroptivoj

Manufacturer: Krupnyj Plan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Polnaja restavracija izobrazhenija i zvuka. JEta zamechatel'naja jekranizacija komedii Uil'jama SHekspira ne ostavit vas ravnodushnymi. Gordaja krasavica, doch' bogatogo patricija delaet vse vozmozhnoe, chtoby unizit' svoih zhenihov, kotoryh podyskivaet ej neschastnyj otec. No odnazhdy nashelsja chelovek, kotoryj sumel podchinit' sebe ee neukrotimyj nrav.

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