Perhaps one of the more entertaining Shakespearean adaptations to make the screen during the 60′s, Zefferelli is a master at using exquisite set design to compliment his films. The Taming of the Shrew is no exception in this regard, and it is the attention to detail that gets the production out of the many potholes it falls into. Adapted from Shakespeare's play, the story focuses on the brutish and obnoxious Petruchio (Burton) who arrives in Padua to find a wealthy wife. Signor Baptista, an elderly gentleman from Padua wearily attempts to find a husband for his eldest daughter Katherina (Taylor), a self-willed shrew. Petruchio, determined to make Katherina his wife embarks on humorous escapades to woo her and loosen her independent ways.
The film is naturally light-hearted due to Zefferelli's fusion of mild slapstick with the original Shakespeare narrative. This particular comedic tone makes the film problematic and there are moments where the lead actors appear uncertain of their next move or utterance. For example there is the dreadful song, which Burton is required to sing, 'Where is the life that late I lead', dreadful in composition and in performance. Considering Burton was renowned for his voice, the fact that the song still comes across as cringe worthy despite his panache in deliverance, is a testament to the poor musical composition. It is also surprisingthat Zefferelli decided to keep the song in the film as it is distracting and an uncomfortable moment. Burton's dialogue has also been dubbed over in ADR in some parts and to the trained eye, this is very noticeable and equally disruptive.
The film does give Richard Burton a chance that he was rarely given in his under-appreciated career. A chance to act with excellent dialogue, story and supporting actors. Particularly in the oh-so-hilariously named scene 'Kate on a Hot Tin Roof' (a nod to Taylor's 1956 portrayal of Maggie in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof). The scene sees Petruchio chase his bride to be across the roof of her fathers house and fall through into an abandoned barn. Although it is highly contrived and at times plainly clear to see that Taylor is fearlessly tip-toeing across the 'roof' with a safety net mere inches below her, the scene is saved by Burton's outstanding talent and Taylor's ability to use that shrill, irritating voice to good effect.
The Taming of the Shrew also allowed for Elizabeth Taylor to give one of the best performances of her career – when she wants to. (Many myself included, consider her role as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to be her best.)
The controversial final sequence of The Taming of The Shrew sees Taylor shine as she speaks of the stupidity of women to wage a war of independence against their husbands when they should in fact, 'kneel for peace'. Granted, Shakespeare wasn't exactly known for his liberating views on women in society, but Taylor delivers a performance that is as believable as it is entertaining, particularly as the audience knows she would sooner have danced on Shaky's grave than adhere to his strict admonitions about marriage!Regardless of the comical contrasts that are immediately obvious between Taylor and her character, she shows the amateurs how it's done in this scene.
Despite the films discrepancies with ADR timing and musicality, there are many excellent scenes. The dialogue is naturally innovative as one would expect from Monsieur Shakespeare. The Taming of the Shrew remained a film that Burton and Taylor were always proud of, so much so that they put $1,000,000 of their own money into the production (a fact that they both seemed overly keen to mention in the 'Making of' featurette). Not a film that will change anyone's life but well worth watching for entertainment value and a must for Taylor-Burton fans.
The film is naturally light-hearted due to Zefferelli's fusion of mild slapstick with the original Shakespeare narrative. This particular comedic tone makes the film problematic and there are moments where the lead actors appear uncertain of their next move or utterance. For example there is the dreadful song, which Burton is required to sing, 'Where is the life that late I lead', dreadful in composition and in performance. Considering Burton was renowned for his voice, the fact that the song still comes across as cringe worthy despite his panache in deliverance, is a testament to the poor musical composition. It is also surprisingthat Zefferelli decided to keep the song in the film as it is distracting and an uncomfortable moment. Burton's dialogue has also been dubbed over in ADR in some parts and to the trained eye, this is very noticeable and equally disruptive.
The film does give Richard Burton a chance that he was rarely given in his under-appreciated career. A chance to act with excellent dialogue, story and supporting actors. Particularly in the oh-so-hilariously named scene 'Kate on a Hot Tin Roof' (a nod to Taylor's 1956 portrayal of Maggie in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof). The scene sees Petruchio chase his bride to be across the roof of her fathers house and fall through into an abandoned barn. Although it is highly contrived and at times plainly clear to see that Taylor is fearlessly tip-toeing across the 'roof' with a safety net mere inches below her, the scene is saved by Burton's outstanding talent and Taylor's ability to use that shrill, irritating voice to good effect.
The Taming of the Shrew also allowed for Elizabeth Taylor to give one of the best performances of her career – when she wants to. (Many myself included, consider her role as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to be her best.)
The controversial final sequence of The Taming of The Shrew sees Taylor shine as she speaks of the stupidity of women to wage a war of independence against their husbands when they should in fact, 'kneel for peace'. Granted, Shakespeare wasn't exactly known for his liberating views on women in society, but Taylor delivers a performance that is as believable as it is entertaining, particularly as the audience knows she would sooner have danced on Shaky's grave than adhere to his strict admonitions about marriage!Regardless of the comical contrasts that are immediately obvious between Taylor and her character, she shows the amateurs how it's done in this scene.
Despite the films discrepancies with ADR timing and musicality, there are many excellent scenes. The dialogue is naturally innovative as one would expect from Monsieur Shakespeare. The Taming of the Shrew remained a film that Burton and Taylor were always proud of, so much so that they put $1,000,000 of their own money into the production (a fact that they both seemed overly keen to mention in the 'Making of' featurette). Not a film that will change anyone's life but well worth watching for entertainment value and a must for Taylor-Burton fans.