Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? [1967]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A word of advice: if George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) ever ask you over for late-night cocktails--pass. On the other hand, if you have the opportunity to see Mike Nichols's scorching film version of Edward Albee's sensational play, don't miss it! Elegantly photographed in crisp black and white by the great Haskell Wexler, the play has been "opened up" for the screen by director Nichols (The Graduate, Primary Colors) and producer/writer Ernest Lehman (North by Northwest) without diluting its concentrated, claustrophobic power. Taylor has never been better or brasher as Martha, letting loose with all the fury of a drunken, frustrated academic's wife on one crazy Walpurgisnacht bender. Burton plays her husband, George, the ineffectual history prof married to the college president's daughter. And George Segal and Sandy Dennis are young, callow Nick and Honey, who have no idea what sort of mind-warping psychological games they're being drawn into. Among the most successful theatrical adaptations (artistically and popularly) ever brought to the screen, the entire principal cast of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was nominated for Oscars--and Taylor, Dennis and cinematographer Wexler won. --Jim Emerson

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Synopsis
Searing drama about a college professor and his wife, whose evening guests become embroiled in their vicious emotional games. Based on a novel by Edward Albee.

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Customer reviews

review by: kmcva date: 2008-05-30 rating:
A film that pushed boundaries in 1966 - brilliant work of art - a superb acting Elizabeth Taylor
The movie is a 1966 film adaptation of the play of the same name by Edward Albee. It was the first film directed by Mike Nichols, and starred Elizabeth Taylor as Martha and Richard Burton as George, with George Segal as Nick and Sandy Dennis as Honey.The film version differs slightly from the play. The play features only four characters, while in the film there are two other minor characters

George, a disillusioned academic, and Martha, his caustic wife, have just come home from a faculty party. When a handsome young professor and his mousy wife stop by for a nightcap, an innocent night of fun and games quickly turns dark and dangerous. Long-buried resentment and rage are unleashed as George and Martha turn their rapier-sharp wits against each other, using their guests as pawns in their verbal sparring. By night's end, the secrets of both couples are uncovered and the lies they cling to are exposed.

14 Oscar nominations and 5 Oscar wins, including Elizabeth Taylor as Best Actress in a Leading Role give alraedy a clear indictaion that this is an outstanding movie.The choice of Taylor -- at the time regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world, to play the frumpy, fifty-ish Martha surprised many, but the actress gained thirty pounds for the role and her performance.The film was considered groundbreaking for having a level of profanity and sexual implication unheard of at that time. Of course, that is not any longer the case. But the acting remains superb. Taylor & Burton were a couple in life and their ups and downs, two divorces and marriages cannot forgotten and deliver the background for thsi movie. One can imagine scenes likes this in their own lives. Elizabeth Taylor's stunning beaty will never be forgotten, but one should always remember she was and is a first rated actress.

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review by: Blondie date: 2006-03-13 rating:
Film to Play
I have to admit i had never heard of this play 6 months ago but then had to study it for my A Level Moderation. Watching the film was such an inspiration as we were to live up to the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton!

Our adaption of the play lasts for 30 minutes but still carries on the themes of the play. Watching the film inspired us to use this piece for our moderation.

Fantastic actors combined with a fantastic play creates much joy for all.

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review by: brettgolds date: 2004-06-24 rating:
Classic!
Great film. First time director Mike Nichols, who went on to make The Graduate soon after. A classic play, a classic cast, beautiful photography, and the feeling that you're watching an uncomfortably accurate rendition of Burton and Taylor's actual relationship, through the hideous love affair of George and Martha. What's not to like?

One of the wittiest, darkest and most brilliant plays ever written, brought perfectly to the screen.

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review by: Toypom date: 2002-08-28 rating:
Demon Drink
This is not a movie I want to see again. The acting is superb and very, very real. It is basically an investigation of what alcohol does to the mind and to relationships, and as such it demonstrates all too well the depths people can plumb when in the grip of Demon Drink. All the revolting emotions are here: envy, bitterness, shallowness, gratuitous nastiness, the sick delight in hurting others' feelings. Yes, it's a brilliant movie. And like an aggressive drunk at full speed, it goes on and on and on. It made me feel very pleased with myself that I don't like alcohol. Morticia Addams of the Addams Family would have adored these people.


review by: date: 2002-07-18 rating:
AFIs Great Love Stories: #89 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is one of the most important plays in the history of American Drama, representing a sort of merging of the psychological drama represented by Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller with the existential plays of Samuel Becket and Eugene Ionesco. After a faculty party George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) have invited a young professor, Nick (George Segal) and his wife Honey (Sandy Dennis), back for a few drinks. What happens is ironically described as fun and games, which end up airing everyone's dirty laundry in a compelling death spiral of brutal confrontations.

All four players were nominated for Oscars, with both of the ladies winning in the finest ensemble performance since "Long Day's Journey Into Night." Burton lost to Paul Schofield in "A Man for All Seasons" and Segal to Walter Matthau in "The Fortune Cookie." Haskell Wexler also earned a richly deserved Oscar for Best Black-and-White Cinematography. I think this is clearly Elizabeth Taylor's best film performance (Burton's too). I remember someone asking Katharine Hepburn if she thought any other actress had ever shown a range comparable to herself and she mentioned Taylor. It makes sense. They have both done plays by William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Albee. Not even Meryl Streep can say that.

The film does have one major problem, which Albee himself has repeatedly pointed out, namely, it was a mistake director Mike Nichols to let the two couples leave the house and go to a roadhouse in the middle of Act II. The play is a one set play, of course, and Albee consider the claustrophobia it produced part of its main effect. By getting them away from the house, or even having George and Nick have their big talk from Act III out in the backyard, the idea that Nick and Honey are trapped with no way out. But I think this is something that bothers people who have studied the play intimately more than fans of the cinema.

Most Romantic Lines: Yeah, right. I think the nicest thing Martha says to George is "You make me puke," and the most famous line from the play, "What a dump," is taken from a Bette Davis movie (Yes, I know which one, but, no, I am not telling).

If you like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" then check out these other films on AFI's list: #84 "Double Indemnity" and #48 "Last Tango in Paris." Why? They are also tales of twisted love.

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Similar categories

Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Drama . 1960s
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Actors . Burton, Richard
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Actresses . Taylor, Elizabeth
Video . Video . Categories . Drama . General
Video . Video . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Classics . Drama
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 15
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1960 - 1969
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS

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