KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

serts34 As in the title, I've only seen one 10-minute segment, the part where Petruchio and Katharina meet each other and enter into a furious round of wordplay, but by Jove was that segment fantastic! The acting was great, pulled off so well that every moment in this commedia dell'arte production was hilarious. The wordplay was made obvious, and I am still in awe of how Petruchio can be tossing Katharine in his arms or whirling her over his head and still recite his iambic pentameter. Petruchio, played by Mark Singer, is a cocky man, but you see that he also has a more caring side to him underneath the wild antics that Mark Singer gives. Katharina is definitely easily angered, but she has a feistiness, will, and has plenty of wit. The actress chose to make Katharina's shrieking, shrewish side IMO more toned down, and it makes the character more likable. Indeed, I find myself liking her railing, her shouting and most of all her wit. The wordplay is to die for: quick, lively, and sharp as a razor. Petruchio and Katharina are the highlights, but the other people in the cast (from what I saw) also do a great job in making their characters fit into the commedia dell'arte style and making the audience laugh. Yes, this is slapstick, but slapstick done well and I'll find it difficult for someone to not like this production. Unless you have an aversion to all types of slapstick, well pulled-off or not, you'll love it. This is the most highly rated out of all the Taming of the Shrew productions from what I've seen on IMDb and Amazon, and I agree that this relatively unknown production really merits praise, even if I've only seen a small part of it.

Thilwen I happened to order online a DVD version of The Taming of the Shrew. When I received the packet the day before yesterday, I found out that it was not the film directed by Franco Zeffirelli that I originally wanted, but some stage production by whoever... I was disappointed that I had made such a silly mistake with ordering something else than I wanted. However, only after a minute or two of watching the performance, I was not entirely sure if it was really a mistake, and when Petruchio stepped on the scene, I suddenly realised that this was actually the luckiest choice of DVD I have ever made. Petruchio and Kate are both so lively and wilful. (I do not want to say that the other actors did not do their best - they are ALL wonderful, but Petruchio and Kate are my favourite characters.) When Kate is weary and sad, Fredi Olster has tears in her eyes... The whole cast are playing for the audience, not for the stage, and they do not miss a chance to communicate with the people. It must have been an exceptional and unforgettable experience to see this performance live. For me, it was exceptional even on the screen, and I am sure I will not forget it - I have already seen it twice...

MrPunch It was this performance that sparked my interest in Shakespeare. I don't quite know any higher compliment I can give it. I was 11 or 12 at the time, and Shakespeare was foreign to me despite being the same basic language, yet here it was, so live and real.I haven't given it 10 of 10 merely because of its slight shortcomings within the medium. This show was for a live audience, and was filmed for television, not made for television. It's simplicity is charming, though.It works. Watch this show and see what Shakespeare should be. I only wish I could have been there live to see it!ADDITIONAL NOTE: Now that I've read the other reviews, I find it fascinating that everyone has the same comment that they remember it from 20+ years ago!

jdsage I saw this San Francisco Repertory Theater production in black-and-white when it first aired in 1976; I haven't seen it since, but I still remember it. I've searched for it over the years, and contacted PBS and WNET to see if it can be run again, or if the videotape can be purchased. >