The Taming of the Shrew (TV 1980)

The swaggering Petruchio, eager to wive it wealthily in Padua, agrees to marry the spitting hellcat, Katherine.

Director:

Jonathan Miller

Writer:

William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Simon Chandler, Anthony Pedley, John Franklyn-Robbins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Chandler	...	Lucentio
Anthony Pedley	...	Tranio
John Franklyn-Robbins	...	Baptista
Frank Thornton	...	Gremio
Sarah Badel	...	Katherine
Jonathan Cecil	...	Hortensio
Susan Penhaligon	...	Bianca
Harry Waters	...	Biondello
John Cleese	...	Petruchio
David Kincaid	...	Grumio
Bev Willis	...	Baptista's Servant
Angus Lennie	...	Curtis
Harry Webster	...	Nathaniel
Gil Morris	...	Philip
Leslie Sarony	...	Gregory

Storyline

Baptista has two daughters: Kate and Bianca. Everyone wants to wed the fair Bianca, but nobody's much interested in problem child, Kate. Baptista declares that he won't give Bianca away in a marriage until he's found a husband for Kate, so all the suitors begin busily hunting out a madman who's willing to do it, and they find Petruchio: a man who's come to wive it wealthily in Padua. And Petruchio marries Kate with a plan to tame her, while everybody else begins scheming to win Bianca's hand.

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Plot Keywords:

shakespeare's the taming of the shrew | resentment toward sister | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1980 (UK)

Also Known As:

To imeroma tis striglas

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Time-Life Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Cleese had never performed Shakespeare prior to this film. Coupled with this, he had seen several of the BBC Television Shakespeare productions and been unimpressed with them. As such, it took a great deal of persuasion from director/producer Jonathan Miller to convince Cleese to appear.

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Connections

Version of The Taming of the Shrew (1911)

User Reviews

Best version ever

John Cleese in The Taming of the Shrew?!!!

That was my reaction, too. But I couldn't resist tuning in, and boy was I glad I did. I enjoyed Richard Burton's version and considered it the definitive take on Petruchio -- until I saw Cleese's. Simply magnificent. That acid wit of his was the perfect tool for taming Kate. Highly recommended.