BBC Shakespeare Collection: The Taming of the Shrew

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought acclaimed performances from leading contemporary actors.

Baptista, a Paduan gentleman, as two daughters, Katherine and Bianca. Bianca is beautiful, sweet-tempered and obedient and several suitors seek her hand in marriage. Baptista, however, insists that Katherine, just as beautiful but sharp-tongued and rebellious, must be married first. The only man willing to court her is the equally feisty Petruchio, a stranger from Verona in search of a rich wife ...

Shakespeare's comic confrontation between the sexes is rich with sparkling wit and great characterisation. This production was admired for Jonathan Miller's fidelity to Elizabethan social mores and for an outstanding cast including John Cleese, whose portrayal of Petruchio won unanimous critical acclaim.