Why Elizabeth Taylor re-shot her debut Shakespeare performance on the final day of filming
In short: When Elizabeth Taylor took on the role of Katherina in Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 adaptation, she was famously nervous about her first Shakespearean turn. Her commitment was so intense that she insisted on re-filming her entire first day of work on the final day of production to ensure her performance was perfect.
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, the 1967 version of The Taming of the Shrew was a significant departure from the original casting plans, which had initially earmarked Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni for the leads. Instead, the production became a personal project for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who invested over one million dollars of their own money into the film. Rather than taking a traditional salary, the couple opted for a share of the eventual profits. The entire production was filmed on location at the facilities owned by Dino De Laurentiis in Rome.
The film adaptation takes notable liberties with Shakespeare's source material. Zeffirelli’s screenplay removes the Christopher Sly framing device and significantly reduces the subplot involving Bianca and her suitors. To emphasize the central dynamic between the two leads, the film incorporates new scenes with minimal dialogue, while trimming existing lines from the play. These choices reflect a focus on the chemistry between Taylor and Burton, who were both recognized with BAFTA nominations for their portrayals of the strong-willed Katherina and the boisterous Petruchio.
The film's conclusion remains a subject of discussion, particularly regarding Katherina’s final speech. While Taylor delivers the monologue without the ironic winks seen in earlier adaptations, the film’s staging suggests a different interpretation. By having Katherina exit the banquet abruptly, forcing Petruchio to chase her, the film complicates the traditional reading of her submission. This aligns with the perspective of critic Harold Bloom, who argued that the character is effectively teaching women how to maintain power while appearing to comply with their husbands.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Taming of the Shrew (1967 film)
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