The Taming of the Shrew 1908

The Taming of the Shrew

1908 · United States · Directed by D. W. Griffith · 17 min

FunnyTense Approachable · Moderate Comedy

Shakespeare’s courtship battle is reduced to a brisk contest of gesture, resistance, and coercive domestic order.

What to expect

The short reveals how early adapters made a well-known play legible through physical action and selected incidents rather than spoken wit.

How to ease in

The compression is severe, so follow the power struggle rather than every secondary character. Keep the story’s misogyny in view even when the performance invites laughter.

Heads-up

A quick, non-exhaustive note Includes misogyny, domestic abuse, coercive marriage, physical intimidation, and period gender stereotypes.
Momo's Note May contain spoilers Who is Momo? →

Shakespeare’s courtship battle is reduced to a brisk contest of gesture, resistance, and coercive domestic order.

Comedy does not neutralise the struggle over who is allowed to decide. I watch for moments when performance gives Katherina more resistance than the plot admits.

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Comedy does not neutralise the struggle over who is allowed to decide. I watch for moments when performance gives Katherina more resistance than the plot admits.

— Momo

Momo sharing a personal take on this film

Credits & versions

Version map

Wikidata 17-minute listing17 min17 minutes reproduces the single duration stated by the source. The listing does not identify a cut, score, territory, frame rate, source element, or restoration.Runtime reference · Checked 2026-08-22

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