NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (July 2025): Indicator has transferred Franco Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew to Blu-ray. The cinematography, helmed by Oswald Morris (Equus, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, The Man Who Would Be King, The Odessa File, Sleuth,) is a cornerstone of the film’s visual appeal, capturing the vibrant energy of Renaissance Italy with a rich, Technicolor palette. Shot in the anamorphic widescreen Todd-AO format with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the film maximizes its scope to depict bustling marketplaces, sun-drenched courtyards, and opulent interiors. There may be a touch of saturation in 1080P, but overall, there is heavy texture and sequences showing film-like richness. I doubt it will look any better in this format.

NOTE: We have added 44 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Indicator uses a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is a faithful representation of the film’s original sound design, effectively capturing the boisterous energy and dramatic nuances of Zeffirelli’s adaptation. Nino Rota’s (Romeo and Juliet, Nights of Cabiria, Juliet of the Spirits, Death on the Nile, Rocco and His Brothers, Il Bidone, 8 1/2, I Clowns, Purple Noon, The Leopard) evocative score (conducted by Carlo Savina) is a highlight, blending Renaissance-inspired melodies with lutes, flutes, and sackbuts alongside lush orchestral arrangements that underscore the film’s comedic and emotional beats. The mono mix delivers the score with clarity, allowing the playful minstrel songs and dramatic flourishes to enhance the Paduan festival atmosphere without overwhelming the dialogue. Ambient sound effects (such as the chatter of market crowds, the clatter of carts, and the crash of pottery during slapstick sequences) are well-balanced, creating an immersive sonic environment that complements the visual chaos of Renaissance Italy. Dialogue (delivered in Shakespeare’s verse by Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the ensemble cast) is crisp and intelligible with Burton’s booming delivery and Taylor’s fiery retorts given prominence, even in crowded scenes. The sound design amplifies the physical comedy  (slamming doors, breaking furniture, and footsteps on cobblestone) and is distinct and impactful, enhancing the film’s raucous tone. Indicator offers optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers substantial supplementary material. The centerpiece is a new audio commentary by film historians Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (1000 Women In Horror, 1895-2018) and Josh Nelson. It offers a scholarly yet accessible analysis of Zeffirelli’s directorial choices, the performances of Taylor and Burton, and the film’s engagement with Shakespeare’s gender dynamics, contextualizing its 1960s production amidst feminist debates. Roy Holder's "My Name is Biondello" is a new 6-minute feature with the actor, who played the servant Biondello, sharing brief but engaging anecdotes about his experience on set, adding a personal perspective to the production. Matthew Sweet on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ is new, lasts 20 minutes, and sees the broadcaster and writer delving into the film’s production history. It explores Zeffirelli’s vision, the casting of Hollywood’s most famous couple, and the challenges of adapting Shakespeare for a mainstream audience. It is enriched with historical context about the 1967 Royal Film Performance whose screening  is brief and provides newsreel footage of the film’s premiere at London’s Odeon Leicester Square on February 27, 1967, which was attended by Princess Margaret and British cinema luminaries, offering a glimpse into the event’s cultural significance. The 1967 Paris French premiere has no audio and is also brief. It captures Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at the premiere. It provides a visually striking record of their star power. The original theatrical trailer and additional teaser trailer are included while the image gallery includes rare promotional stills, posters, and publicity materials that highlight the film’s vibrant aesthetic. The limited-edition booklet (exclusive to this release) features a new essay by Bethan Roberts. It analyzes the film’s themes and legacy, a contemporary on-set report by John Francis Taylor offering firsthand insights into the production, an overview of critical responses from 1967 to today, and detailed film credits, providing a scholarly and collectible companion.

Franco Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew is a bold and visually sumptuous interpretation of the controversial comedy, set in 16th-century Padua and starring Elizabeth Taylor as the tempestuous Katherina and Richard Burton as the cunning Petruchio. Produced during the height of the Taylor-Burton celebrity phenomenon, the film brings Shakespeare’s text to life with vibrant energy, opulent production values, and a keen focus on the play’s central battle of wits and gender dynamics. The Taming of the Shrew follows Shakespeare’s comedic framework, blending a central plot of romantic conquest with a lighter subplot of courtship intrigue. The late 16th-century setting is faithfully recreated with Zeffirelli drawing on his operatic background to craft a visually rich depiction of Renaissance Padua. The film’s release coincided with a wave of Shakespeare adaptations, including Romeo and Juliet (1968, also by Zeffirelli), as filmmakers sought to make the Bard’s works appealing to modern audiences. The casting of Taylor and Burton (then Hollywood’s most famous couple) capitalized on their tabloid-fueled notoriety, drawing audiences with the promise of seeing their fiery real-life dynamic mirrored onscreen. The Indicator Blu-ray presentation of Franco Zeffirelli’s vibrant Shakespearean adaptation is celebrating its visual splendor, performances, and cultural significance. As the UK Blu-ray premiere, this release from Indicator is an essential acquisition for fans of Shakespearean cinema, historical comedies, and classic Hollywood, offering a richly restored presentation and a wealth of supplementary content that honors the film’s theatricality, star power, and complex exploration of gender and love. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze