The Taming of the Shrew is admittedly not my absolute favourite of Shakespeare's plays, but it is a fun if not so politically correct tale of Petruchio's subduing of his shrewish wife Katherina. This film version from Franco Zeffirelli, who also directed the wonderful 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, certainly looks very lush. The cinematography is very ravishing and the sets and costumes are nothing short of colourful and impressive, and Nina Rota's score is wonderful. Zeffirelli's direction is also secure, while opting for colourful action, the script is excellent and fairly faithful and the acting is very good. Both Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor give one of their better performances, Burton being perfect as the brutish lout known as Petruchio and Taylor alluring and convincing particularly in her final scenes as Katherina, and their chemistry is believable. As Baptista and Grumio Michael Hordern and Cyril Cusack give great support, while Michael York and Natasha Pyne are sweet as the young lovers Lucentio and Bianca. The film does drag in places, but overall, it is a beautiful film and a well done adaptation as well. I am impressed! 8/10 Bethany Cox