IMDb > Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Edward Albee (play)
Ernest Lehman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 June 1966 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
You are cordially invited to George and Martha's for an evening of fun and games. more
Plot:
A bitter aging couple with the help of alcohol, use a young couple to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 18 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Former MPAA Head Jack Valenti Dies at 85
 (From IMDb News. 27 April 2007)

Former MPAA Head Jack Valenti Dies at 85
 (From IMDb News. 26 April 2007)

User Comments:
Perfect Movie-making more (163 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Portugal:17 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | West Germany:16 (f) (re-rated) | West Germany:18 (f) (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #21074) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:12 (2007) | UK:12 (re-rating) (2009) | Australia:M | Czech Republic:12 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to director Mike Nichols, actress Marlene Dietrich visited the set and completely ignored Elizabeth Taylor, only speaking with Richard Burton and Nichols. Elizabeth later commented "It's a very strange thing to be ignored on your own movie set." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Nick is talking to George by the swing, his necktie changes positions between shots (when he's on his back). more
Quotes:
Martha: [derogatorily, to George] Hey, swamp! Hey swampy!
George: Yes, Martha? Can I get you something?
Martha: Ah, well, sure. You can, um, light my cigarette, if you're of a mind to.
George: No. There are limits. I mean, a man can put up with only so much without he descends a rung or two on the old evolutionary ladder, which is up your line. Now, I will hold your hand when it's dark and you're afraid of the boogeyman and I will tote your gin bottles out after midnight so no one can see but I will not light your cigarette. And that, as they say, is that.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Forever Fabulous (1999) more

FAQ

In the script, Martha references Davis and quotes her famous "What a dump!". Which film actually contains the line?
What is the the significance of the title, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
more
45 out of 57 people found the following comment useful.
Perfect Movie-making, 28 February 2005
10/10
Author: Rathko from Los Angeles

An undisputed classic that chronicles every appalling moment of a drunken night in hell as middle-aged George and Martha tear each other, and their guest, to pieces.

Elizabeth Taylor proves categorically that she was a truly great actress. Her Oscar-winning performance as the psychologically tormented Martha is one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema. Taylor's imperceptible shifting from sadism to tenderness, from bullying condescension to exhausted vulnerability, is a masterclass in character building. Martha is a truly monstrous character, and yet Taylor is able to imbue her with sympathy, allowing you brief glimpses of the warm and lovable woman she could have been.

Richard Burton is equally magnificent as George; an ageing, failing college professor whose initial meekness gives way to a raging torment all of his own. His verbal sparring with Taylor, like two pit-bulls in the ring of an endless and bloody dogfight, has become legendary. Every word drips with malice and contempt, every sentence is designed to cut the deepest wound. At times, it becomes painful to watch, but like true train-wreck television, you cannot drag yourself away from the inevitably terrible conclusion.

Quite possibly, this is as close to perfect as movies can get; beautifully written dialogue, deeply complex characters, an evolving and suspenseful storyline, beautiful photography, and a wonderfully understated score by Alex North. Nominated for 13 Academy Awards in 1967, but lost out to A Man for All Seasons and Born Free to win only 5.

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" "I am."

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