Taming of the Shrew, The (1967, Shakespearean Comedy)

Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Natasha Pyne, and Michael York. Director: Franco Zeffirelli.

This movie is adapted from one of William Shakespeare's best comedies. Richard Burton was born to play Petruchio and deserved the Oscar for Best Actor. Burton had the Shakespearean accent down. His acting partner had a little more trouble with the celebrated role of Katherina. You see, Richard Burton had performed Shakespeare while Elizabeth Taylor was not as experienced. The two had been married for four years and decided to co-produce a Shakespearean film. What better Shakespearean comedy to make than a comedy concerning a married couple. They used their real-life marriage and their previous films as tools for publicity. They were both in Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? and Cleopatra -- award-winning films that centered upon the crazy romantic relationships between odd couples. In their contract, the Burtons relinquished their salary. Instead, they were given a part of the actual proceeds, and this film produced quite a bit of money for these hard-working actors.

The opening courting sequence is snort-worthy, and the Shakespearean language does not adversely affect the movie's popularity as every day people can understand and enjoy the movie. The following is my favorite interchange between the sparring couple:

Katherina: Asses are made to bear, and so are you!

Petruchio: Women are made to bear, and so are you!

Burton and Taylor have magic together! They are absolutely hilarious. Petruchio is played perfectly as he tames the wild heroine, and says," Will you, nill you, I will marry you." One cannot help wondering whether Richard Burton had to tame his own wife? Despite their stormy romantic private life, they still seem to create brilliant performances for the entire world!

The supporting cast is noteworthy as well. Natasha Pyne plays Bianca, the gorgeous younger sister whom everybody wants to marry. Her suitor, Lucentio is played by the good -looking Michael York. Bianca and Lucentio are adorable in the flirtatious courting scenes. Ten Things I Hate About You is a modern remake of this story told from the point of view of teeny-boppers. However, it cannot even come close to Zeffirelli's wonderful interpretation of Shakespeare's classic! Great acting! Enchanting score! Beautiful costumes! This Shakespearean production would undoubtedly make William Shakespeare smile with great pride! Sensational movie! :-