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Rating:  - Beautiful but stupid
The color cinematography in this Zefferelli opus is gorgeous, but the depiction of Katherine, the "shrew" of the title, is utterly ludicrous. Poor Liz Taylor spends the first hour with virtually no dialogue beyond scrams of rage. Why mount a movie of one of Shakespare's comedies if you're going to gag one of his most enchantingly verbal women? Listen to a cast recording of "Kiss Me, Kate" instead; at least Cole Porter used some of the Bard's language.
Rating: - My problem is with Shakespeare, not the movie.
The movie is gorgeous to watch and listen to, and the acting is great. I would have enjoyed this movie a lot more if about a month ago I hadn't happened to have been reading some books on abusive men and their distorted perceptions of female realities. I know that Taylor & Burton are playing caricatures. The problem is, there is truth in caricatures. For some reason it is supposed to be funny when the man chases his hoped for bride, does a full body restraint on her, painfully twists her arm, makes what are essentially sexually harrassing remarks, acts like a fool on the wedding day and tricks her into being married, then keeps her from eating on her wedding night after an exhausting trip, rips up a dress she had her heart set on after he tempts her with it, and on and on.
Of course it is understood (as in the minds of abusive men and their, uh, "literature") that the woman really likes the rough and humilating treatment she is getting. It is also understood that while the woman's behavior means "she had it comin'" and warrants her being treated like property (which is exactly how Shakespeare has the new husband talk about his wife), the man's bufoonish, violent, alcoholic behaviors get no disapproval from anyone.
I just recently watched a John Wayne movie, McLintock. It seemed to me it might have been based on the Taming of the Shrew, which is why I have watched this movie. I was right. Same drunken loutish man who never improves in any way. Same shrewish woman who turns into a lamb after her husband abuses and humiliates her enough.
I give thanks to Heaven that we are told in Scriptures, "Be considerate of your wives or your prayers will not be answered" and that some men actually treat His daughters with love and respect.
The Taming of the Shrew is not a comedy to me, and I suspect to legions of women who have been "thus treated." It is more like a tragedy.
Rating:  - Good for the whole family
Our friends also own this movie and they also enjoyed it. This is a 'movie within a movie' because the actors play 'actors in a Shakespeare play' - and their private lives parallel the play they're in. The 'play' in the movie stays true to the orignal Shakespeare "Taming of the Shew".
Rating: - The Taming of the Shrew
Burton and Taylor at their comic best. A fine rendition of the Shakespeare comedy that doesn't lose the viewer because of the Elizabethan language style. Burton and Taylor make it visually enjoyable. Check out a young Michael York as Petrucio.
Rating:  - Kiss me Kate.
I enjoyed this movie immensely. Liz Taylor was great. Seven Brides for seven brother definately took "inspiration" from the "Taming of the Shrew". Shakespeares "Taming of the Shrew" story line is much better than "Cinderella". I loved the comedy, drama, and underlying love story.
1. Bianca has a number of admirers: Lucentio, Gremio, and Hortensio, but her father, Baptista Minola will not allow marriage until the older sister Katharina is married. Kate has a fiery tough and lashes Minola affection statements towards Bianca. Kate enraged destroys furniture, throws pottery, and curses a storm.
2. Biance's suitors convince Pertruchio to court Kate and win the dowry. Lucentio, a student changes roles and offers himself as Bianca's tutor. Shortly after, the real father of Lucentio arrives in town and confronts his imposter. Lucentio has to quick talk to passify his father. Gremio wants Bianca for himself, but Lucentio gets the girl. Lucentio, domestic and stable, young and strong, is the better choice.
3. Kate thinks to outsmart Pertruchio and embarrass him at the marriage alter, but before she can declare "I will not marry him", Pertruchio kisses her mid sentence after "I will". Pertruchio is late, drunk, and displays crass mannerism upon his church arrival. Petruchio thinks little of the religious ceremony and less affection towards the clergy.
4. Petruchio departs early from the marriage party with his servant Grumio. Petruchio compels Kate to leave with him, as his possession. Kate rides on a donkey and realizes hopeless that she can not return home. Now, Petruchio is not forcing her to follow, but out of necessity Kate follows.
5. Kate arrives at Petruchio's house but Petruchio denies her food.
6. Petruchio receives a letter announcing Bianca wedding to Lucentio and orders a dress designed and crafted for Kate, but finds fault with the dress and shreds the dress. Kate is forced to wear old clothes.
7. Petruchio gambles for 4,000 ducats on who has the most obedient wife. Each wife is asked to return to the room, but denies the request and only Kate obeys her husband. The room is shocked. Petruchio dominates and Kate submits to his request for a kiss.
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