Customer Reviews

The Shakespeare Collection: The Taming of the Shrew [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If this was just about the Stratford production, I'd have put 5 stars, no hesitation--it's a joy to watch. But the box doesn't even tell you it's Len Cariou as Petruchio. On top of that, the tapes are reproduced at EP/SLP, and they *still* use two tapes for a roughly three hour presentation!! If you can't stand not owning this, go ahead and blow the money, but otherwise wait until a better quality tape or DVD comes out. Same goes for the other tapes in the collection.

If I had bought this for anything less than study purposes, I would be disappointed. The sound, camera work and video quality are so bad that it is hard to judge the quality of the production.

I don't know what the other reviewers are complaining about. I have no trouble at all hearing any of the dialogue. Sure, the picture quality is not up to current digital TV standards, but what do you want from a play recorded in 1983? The picture quality is good enough-- there is no problem seeing anything. And as far as the performances go, they're all excellent. This is probably the best version I've ever seen of _Taming of the Shrew_ anywhere. Everyone is right on target and the performances show you just how much of a comedy this is-- whether it is in the pacing and delivery of dialogue or the physical humor. This one has it all unlike some productions where you wouldn't even know you were watching a comedy; it's a winner all around. I'd recommend ordering the box set that contains this play, _As You Like It,_ and _Romeo and Juliet._ All of them are great productions that will really make you appreciate what a live stage show can do. I wish I had attended these performances.

I wish I could give this a higher rating, for it is the best "Shrew" I've ever seen. Len Cariou's performance couldn't be better, and the inclusion of the Induction and material from "A Shrew" is delightful. If only the recording weren't so very bad. The Stratford, Ontario Festival needs to redo this from the original tapes onto DVD. Then, it would be a five-star effort.

This has to be the closest thing to a PERFECT production of Taming of the shrew you will ever see. As far as I can tell they haven't left out a single line (unlike that AWFUL version with Taylor/Burton which only has ONE THIRD of the original script).
If you're a real shakespeare fan THIS is the version for you.

Me and a class of 25 watched this film. Not one of us enjoyed it, why? to much "oohh"ing, screaming and fighting. Also bad picture quality and old language. I reccomend 10 things I hate about you as it is a modern day film that you wont fall asleep halfway through. Taming of the Shrew was rubbish and I hope that I am never forced to watch the whole thing again.