Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966): Killing Martha

[@timothy790110]

I love how no matter where he goes, her voice stays the same volume. He just cannot get away from her.

[@vikingsong2068]

Good observation.

[@kathrynlewis9108]

Wow! I totally agree!

[@berta7019]

What a cast of actor's: Taylor, Burton, Seagal, Dennis. The absolute without a doubt the best cinematic performance of actress Elizabeth Taylor. Ms. Taylor, you are sorely missed 😢

[@thegreatestman851]

Never realized that ! That’s so powerful man it’s like she’s a constant thorn in his side

[@nottellinnoone2074]

Well yeah she's drunk lol laughing 😂 😊

[@WobblesandBean]

There has never been a film that is as equally uncomfortable as it is wonderful to watch as this.

[@born2grooveu]

It was this movie that Taylor crossed over from being a movie star to an artist. A movie star will never be seen in a bad light. An artist will shine in a bad light.

[@oscarfun100]

I still think that her performance here was a milestone for actresses, female roles and performances in Hollywood.

[@3prettyvacant]

I agree....the first time I saw this scene it scared the hell out of me..especially when the camera zooms into Sandy Dennis's face with her terrified look and then Elizabeth looking dead into the camera....great scene

[@howardkoor2796]

Sensational scene. Sensational artist

[@Enkarashaddam]

Reminds me of Bette Davis. Epic on another level.

[@andreagrinstead9281]

I agree! Both her and Richard were amazing.

[@acgogoacgogo8854]

I read Taylor was only 32 when she made this Plays a woman in late 40s. I am continually in awe of her acting. They had to replace her thick wax makeup several times per day due to the hot lights and the physicality necessary in her performance. I'm told she was nothing like this in real life although the tabloids would have you believe otherwise. She was quiet and thoughtful although she was a heavy drinker for years. I love the ending when everything gets real quiet and you have to almost strain to hear them say their lines.

[@jamescollinson2179]

Elizabeth Taylor was born February 27,1932. The movie was released June 21, 1966. So she was 34 when it was released, probably 33 when filmed. Taylor was only 2 years older than co-star George Segal, but was made to look many years older.

[@renegaderunner332]

She was 34.

[@bluehydrangea5506]

She drank to overcome her shyness...then realized much later it just dulled her actual personality. Her husband wasnt much help in the drinking department. His diary at the time was basically the equivalent of a food diary...only alcohol instead of food.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Actually, she was 34 years old by the time of making this movie, in the autumn of 1965. Their marriage was hectic from the beginning and Burton introduced Taylor in a complete new world with Burton and Peter O´Toole and the legacy of Shakespeare in England, with Burton playing several roles on the Old Vic in London, that was exciting for her and they lived a life with fame and fortune, even though it was destruktive as well, for both of them. Taylor found it very exciting and Burton was in the highest top of his career.

[@garyonbroadway1919]

Martha is 52yo. George is 46yo. "Him, It, That, There." Albee wanted James Mason and Bette Davis for the film. The Burtons did not attend the Oscars that year. He did not attempt to conceal his disappointment (Paul Scofield? Puh-leez. Snore-fest.), and her disgust with the Academy was vociferous, to put it politely. She said, "I've gone to that goddamned 'dinner' four times. I won once because I was dying and didn't deserve it; the whole point is the humiliation of the four losers, despite their lofty claims to the contrary, and we blew the entire field out of the water, all four of us. And they KNOW it." You're welcome. 🤩

[@LuvlyDramaGurl]

Please remember that this was a film adaptation that was based on a play written by the great playwright Edward Albee that just passed away today. RIP Edward Albee.

[@hamfethi3385]

Тhis moooviе is now аvаilаblее tо waаatсh hеrе => twitter.com/9a8735e940e7fa424/status/795843648935972865 Who s Аfrаid оf Virginiа Wооlf 1966 Кilling Marthа

[@tombstone4986]

We are doing this play in April at the PCA ( Prescott Center for the Arts, in Arizona)!

[@jaymesguy239]

"Paunchy, here, isn't too happy when the conversation moves to muscle!" Brilliant film and the best Liz Taylor performance of them all!

[@pizee]

This wasn't acting. Damn, this was beyond acting! I'm not surprised if she damaged a tiny part of her own soul when did this. Phenomenal!!

[@ijeleo92]

At 00:58. That subtle flip of the middle finger at George.

[@markbraunstein58]

Thanks for pointing that out. Her performance is so brilliant you can watch her 50 times and always find fresh nuance

[@vanessaa7602]

Brilliant.

[@jimanderson5883]

I love how Sandy Dennis giggles during this scene. She was excellent.

[@susano323]

My favorite film of all time. Pure genius dialogue and acting.

[@karllieck9064]

Damn! Sandy Dennis's scream is what nightmares are made of. Lo! Great, great movie.

[@sonyaedwards6524]

i have to say i think this is the best performance by Elizabeth Taylor that i have ever seen.

[@bobeichelberg7715]

This and "Suddenly Last Summer"

[@larsnilsson8949]

At least one of them. She doesn´t play Martha, she is Martha.

[@eddytheengineer]

❤Reminds me of my grandmother ❤ Elegant, Fabulous, Passionate, Fierce! She's at peace now but when you royally pissed her off back the-- _WATCH OUT!_ Bless her Beautiful Soul 😂

[@elipotter369]

@@bobeichelberg7715 yes, that was chilling too.

[@jmnny85]

Elizabeth Taylor's command of this role is STUNNING!! 👍👏👏

[@JasonAlredge]

This movie was so good. I watched it for the first time last night on TCM.

[@cerellmorrison7223]

+Jason Alredge Yes, but its also exhausting. You feel like you need to take a rest after watching it. lol

[@Bigalrev]

+Cerell Morrison and a shower...

[@sbrecke1507]

Classic!

[@08davey]

It's even better the 2nd or 3rd time. I notice something new and interesting every time I watch it.

[@racheledwards5926]

She really deserved the Oscar for this role

[@headoverheels88]

Watch this for the first time an hour ago (in 2018) and it shook me to my core. What an amazing movie.

[@charlottebuchanan3193]

It really is

[@pearlsswine]

It's always adorable when millennials watch old time movies because "retro is so cool". Now tell us about the coffee shops you frequent and all the music you like that we've "probably never heard of".

[@TheStranger513]

@@pearlsswine Equally adorable as the cranky "get off my lawn" boomer who criticizes the young for having the respect to partake in older things while also constantly talking about how they hate this new generations films, music, clothing etc. Yes sir the Boomer is quite the prize 😂.

[@itsallgoodman4108]

So do you want to get married now?

[@JustAThought155]

This has to be my all-time favorite scene in the entire movie. Mike Nichols nailed it on this one! Beautiful shots and editing!!! There is nothing like a classic movie!

[@Ramonerdna]

Ok so THIS is where the parodies come from, -American Dad (Francine and Roger as Amanda and Jordan) -SNL Cocktail Hour

[@karmayangzom5497]

+Ramonerdna Simpsons did it before AD w/Marge, Homer and the Flanders at a married couples retreat.

[@yvonnejackson5970]

Ramonerdna nut

[@NetSunJin]

Ramonerdna Plus the SNL hamster skit

[@RXdash78]

QUEEN OF THE HARPIES!

[@quincee3376]

Also The Simpsons " Queen of the harpies" scene if you are a fan of The Simpsons.

[@garrison968]

When you can dominate a scene without hardly saying one word, that is real acting. Real concentration.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

The two leads delivered by two freakishly talented actors! The depth of their greatness was etched even deeper by this film.

[@missdee4927]

Elizabeth Taylor was so funny as Martha. Makes me think she should have done more comedy. She cracks me up so often in this movie.

[@yvonnejackson5970]

MissMulatto I think even Ms. Taylor was pleasantly pleased that she also had the gift for the comedic... This was a totally solid performance Totally worthy of an Academy Award... Mr. Burtons performance also worthy of an Oscar nod...But did not win... If they both had won that would have made the record books in Academy history for best performances by a married couple... But alas not to be... glad you liked the performance as did ... and do I...The fact that Ms. Taylor was only age 32 playing a much more mature woman in her 50 or 60s was a stretch... Her unique beauty still managed to shine through... Beauty is still beauty.. talent is still talent... You are gifted no matter what... anyway take care...✝🎭🎬💖

[@gordonhall752]

It was her tour de force.

[@colorpurple4623]

ikr, I just love her, she is absolutely phenomenal in this movie, I love it!,.

[@stanleymyrick4068]

He did too. Daddy told us to be nice to them. "I'm sure he didnt mean to spend the entire night with them, we could ask them over some Sunday" It is Sunday and Daddy said.. "Well where are these people?" They will be here soon. "What did they do, go home and get some sleep or something?"

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@yvonnejackson5970 was hardly a comedy....

[@crybabyland]

The most devastong line in this scene, “I think it’s colored our whole lives” while manically laughing. Heavy stuff! Brilliant source material from the play and equally astonishing delivery from Dame Taylor!

[@mikewamby2016]

I've seen it couple dozen times. It gets better over time

[@Cinemaniac87]

In my opinion this is among the greatest criss cross conversations between 4 characters that ive seen in the movies great story absolute classic all 4 have past on but left this as a great legacy.

[@naomiotten1605]

" shut up " hahahaha i love the way she Said that ! 😂😂😂👏🏼👏🏼❤️❤️

[@cerellmorrison7223]

+Naomi otten Taylor was brilliant in this. She was better than Burton, although he was excellent too.

[@ExoticalT369]

This film is a vicious game of wits and double entendre. 👏

[@rickp.8925]

My favorite movie of all time. Saw it first as a teenager and didn't really understand it at first. But I knew I loved it.. Then after seeing it a few times more I realized what was going on. I've probably seen it 100 times by now.......Richard should have won the oscar.

[@arbitraryvegetarian9881]

Burton was robbed. There are scenes where he doesn't speak, but where we just see his weary, regretful gaze. Brilliant.

[@alexf9381]

From what I read and from Burtons own comments later on apparently, a common belief for him being continuously snubbed in the US was a result of Burtons open communist views. He was openly socialist from a young age but then when he and Elizabeth flew to meet Tito in Yugoslavia, he then switched the wording of his political views from socialist to communist.

[@johnwhite1209]

This movie was MADE for these two!

[@colorpurple4623]

I think so too

[@betoruiz6156]

"You kill me? that's a laugh" "..well, I might some day" LOL

[@PraveenKumar-sr6ne]

Grate' small talk. Pun intended.

[@tetrulz]

if I were one of the guest i would say "I have horrible diarrhea" and leave that house ASAP.

[@richardketterer7965]

Brilliant direction to do what was not possible on stage, and have the camera follow George while he gets the gun, instead of staying with Martha and her story. Makes this moment ten times as terrifying as it is on stage where we don't see the gun until George's reentrance. So often stage plays come off very stodgy and artificial on film...between this and the dance hall scene, they did a lot to expand it beyond it's stage limits.

[@paintitred8355]

Hear me out, but this is one of the best horror movies ever made. I still cannot watch the whole thing in one sitting after seeing it only once.

[@colorpurple4623]

This is one of my favorite movies of all times if not my favorite I simply love it!

[@renegaderunner332]

I love it too!

[@tashkenty]

One of the best scenes ever captured on film. Mike should’ve won oscar for best director here

[@foxibot]

I cannot imagine anyone but Liz & Richard playing them & Sandy Dennis was great.

[@RandomDudeOne]

The author of the play the movie is based on wanted Bette Davis and James Mason to be Martha and George.

[@foxibot]

Random Dude they probably would have done a great job. Both brilliant actors. My acting teacher knew Edward Albee. I still am happy Taylor and Burton and Dennis & Segal did the roles. I would have watched davis and mason too though.

[@RandomDudeOne]

@@foxibot Taylor and Burton were brilliant.

[@breezingby2611]

Don’t forget George Segal

[@foxibot]

@@breezingby2611 yeah he was great too.

[@asdliful]

I'm not sure if this scene is excruciating or enthralling. Maybe both?

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

If anyone wanted a film that is the definition of an "Acting clinic," this is it. Also, RIP George Segal. :(

[@ruthbooth7914]

it's amazing she won an oscar

[@benjamindavid5681]

Great Movie: Top ten of all great films. Elizabeth Taylor gave an amazing performance. She never reproduced this. However it was a super great performance. Too bad that she was not able to show her incredible acting talent again. It does not matter. She produced a great performance here - a great performance!

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

Great Direction!!!!! Mike Nichols......RIP

[@yoliec9426]

I love how he gets the gun with great ceremony as if he wishes it were actually real.

[@TheStranger513]

When he goes into that closet and looks up to where the gun is, he literally looks like he just discovered the idea "maybe I'll kill her." Coincidentally he has a lightbulb over his head. Or maybe purposefully.

[@garrison6863]

Mike Nichols did such a good job on this considering it was his first film. The use of sound and camera when Burton goes to get the rifle is really adroit and acute. And the blank stare on Burton's face contrasts with everyone else laughing and having fun. Not easy to turn a good play into good film, but he did.

[@geraldmurrel9854]

Haskell Wexler's cinematography framed the story in a very arresting way. Nichols had never directed a film before. Haskell deserved his Oscar for best Black and White Cinematography. Editors were delighted to work on Haskell's films, as they knew they would have the best coverage possible.

[@brendastephens5265]

Superb acting!

[@edpoe4591]

I remember that scene frightened 😮 her eyes spoke volumes 🍿

[@christopherwalker5878]

0:27 Shut Up!!! Lolololol

[@kaaneroglu6398]

Christopher Walker adpepepppppp

[@johntirado-glover3574]

My favorite movie of all times. Everybody was brillant, and great direction.

[@kenmunro8317]

... This Flick went down so many Rabbit Holes the Rabbits were never seen again. ... Hauntingly Brilliant on all levels,....

[@midwestairway]

they made good films back then, this was incredible

[@poetcomic1]

"paunchy here doesn't cotton to body talk..." my wife uses that line on me sometimes for a laugh.

[@roxyabrooks864]

1:04 she nearly flips Richard the bird, but doesn't. This movie is masterfully acted out. Amazing. All of them! ✨

[@roxxylala26]

If I ever run into a couple like this, so help me God, I'm running faster than Flo Jo the other direction.

[@ghosttrain9022]

I used to compare this unfavorably to Uta Hagen, but Liz really brings bite to this role. The mockery and insults are done brilliantly.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Wow---everybody's gone now except for George Segal (age 82), who's still-in-there-kicking on TV's "The Goldbergs". Way to go, George!

[@JudgeJulieLit]

... until this past year.

[@nole142]

I have seen this movie 💯 times....still love to see more

[@malcolmabram2957]

Seen too many modern films. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor are screen icons, but it brought back what top quality cast acting is. They are almost unbeatable.

[@newjeffersonian6456]

Although George Segal had already been in some major films including The Longest Day and Ship of Fools, it was Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf that made him a star. Throughout a career spanning six decades Segal showed himself to be one of this country's most versatile actors and one of it's most employable. He had roles in more than 60 movies, 10 plays, and numerous appearances in television right up to within days of his death.

[@nonamepersonok6436]

All of them are gone now. Love this movie

[@jrm8899]

I just keep picturing George Segal's character saying ...."Can I go now??"

[@fuffoon]

Martha must have been the inspiration for Adrienne Barbeau's character Billy in the original Creepshow.

[@karllieck9064]

You're right, fuffon. Barbeau was like Martha. Though they both got eaten, Adrienne didn't survive her munch out.

[@christineciurlino-duncan509]

Grew up with all the great movies!

[@Bigalrev]

"Paunchy here"...freaking classic...

[@markdauber6073]

One of the finest films EVER MADE!

[@vp480]

Elizabeth Taylor is only two years older than George Segal here. Unreal.

[@kira38ify]

Wow... the acting is great!

[@newjeffersonian6456]

I'm sure quite a few people seeing this movie for the first time thought that George had reached his breaking point, that he had a real gun and that he was was actually going to kill Martha.

[@techotopo]

you are a very observant individual

[@Viridiiana]

Saw this scene with no context for my film class, to say it shocked me was an understatement. It was so wonderfully shot I actually thought his snapping point had been reached.

[@nhmooytis7058]

RIP George Segal.

[@davids736]

Really must watch this film soon! Heard so many great things about it..... :-)

[@yvonnejackson5970]

David S did you finally get around to watching the movie and what was or is your opinion... Know it's been a year since your comment, just read it... It's never too late though to ask the question....✝🎭🎬💞

[@davids736]

Yvonne Jackson hiya.... nope not yet! :)

[@yvonnejackson5970]

David S thanks for your speedy response to my question .... How are you hope you and yours are having a grt NewYears... When you do get around to watching the movie would like to hear your opinion... No pressure... Iam a huge film buff ... Especially Elizabeth Taylor films have been for more than50. Yrs or so... anywho take care...✝🎭🎬💞

[@AndeHart]

I love Sandy Dennis in this scene the most, her background acting is the best. Her face is awesome.

[@mariac.9055]

OMG this scene is so intense

[@danhamakua9757]

Why Martha you've been nibbling away at your glass.. I have not...

[@stever507]

You kill me, that's a laugh

[@Aivottaja]

Two people have come to mix hate with love and psychological war as an expression of their mutual respect and love. Whenever they show the other their vulnerable side, the other one doesn't take the chance to heal, but instead strikes the other one where it hurts. But then they finally snap and the husband ends their destructive anti-lifestyle by "killing" their imaginary son - the only non-hostile thing they had in common.

[@drex23100]

The thing is, he really did want to kill her.

[@Okkkkkkk-ol5kz]

This is SUCH A GOOD SCENE!!!

[@JudgeJulieLit]

Choice! I must see this whole film. I didn't know she had this dramatic range.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

​@Randy White Hmm, otherstuff supervened ... I still must see this film. (Liz Taylor had come a long way from her timid, idealistic teenage "Cynthia.") But thank you for the reminder!

[@scottrc5391]

You've had 10 years. Lol. Cancel whatever it is you have planned and sit down and watch this. Dramatic range is an understatement... most of her roles before this movie were pretty one-dimensional if you ask me - you know, pretty young thing. It probably didn't hurt in this one actually being married to the co-star - part of that drama was actually real-life drama between these two... how's that for "method acting"? Now watch, and report back with your verdict.

[@justaguy6560]

RIP George. Legendary actors here

[@wimbledon5353]

I'm not a super fan of the so called 'New Hollywood' era, but I like this movie alot. It's directed by 'New Hollywood' director Mike Nichols, equipped with a vulgar script full of weighty themes (just like the play). On the other hand, it's filmed in beautiful black and white and features Classic Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in their very best. It's the perfect middle ground between Old hollywood and New Hollywood and it happened to come out in 1966, smack dab in the middle of the sixties...

[@dullaverage1667]

Boozy 'ol Martha, smoking that cigarette like its another character in this scene. Elizabeth Taylor aced her peformance in this film..

[@bernardelias976]

RIP and Power, George Segal!

[@laurasenko952]

The way she says "George, tayll him about it..""

[@sbrecke1507]

Sandy Dennis's scream last so long😄

[@michelel.egerton6369]

Rest in peace George Segal

[@trillgates3049]

back in the day where it was normal to casually blow cigarette smoke in people's faces

[@nhmooytis7058]

Liz threw out her soft spoken classy persona to be the brassy crude Martha, Burton his heroic one for the henpecked husband George. Truly great performances by all 4 leads.

[@drinkclintons2058]

“Martha, in my mind you're buried in cement, right up to the neck No! Up to the nose, it's much Quieter”

[@thegreatestman851]

This film is just so haunting and tense, just unbelievable to watch!

[@justoutofframemoviereviews656]

Don't talk about our gun, Martha...

[@farnazboustani1405]

I love Elzabeth Taylor (1932-2011) god bless her soul

[@Brian-yw2yb]

Huckleberry bush! 😂😂😂

[@northwestprof60]

@Aivottaja. "Blue" back in the day was a euphemism, a code word for "adult" as in "adult, sexual." So Blue Laws referred to laws about sexuality; "blue" language referred to cursing, etc. "Blue Games" = "adult games"

[@headphonic8]

Never heard people say "blue humor" i take it? It's still pretty common

[@QED_]

So Burton and Taylor could have been doing THIS kind of thing for all their years together . . . instead of pissing their precious lives away.

[@njchub]

I worship you Liz Taylor, where ever you ended up!

[@MrRJMGREEN]

I love this movie, nothing before or since was as bizarre.

[@biomanization]

Is it her best! A stellar cast. Now, they are all gone. RIP

[@JenaRieder]

I know this scene is so somber now 😢

[@kevinjudy7218]

George sounds a bit like Hannibal Lector at the end there.

[@motruba]

There’s a thought for an SNL skit-Hannibal Lechter playing George-now to cast a partner worthy sparring with Lechter. Hmmmmm....

[@RobbnCO]

R.I.P. George Segal ...

[@ChristianClark]

OMG ! Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf is ONE of my FAVORITE movies on CRAZY married couples ! ha ha ha

[@LakeConstan]

Here's a fascinating inside story that I heard straight from the lips of Edward Albee: It seems Taylor and Burton were not the original choices to play George and Martha. Studio boss Jack Warner wanted to cast Bette Davis and James Mason (who would have been excellent, though quite different from Taylor and Burton). It was the money men in Head office who nixed that and forced Warner to cast Taylor and Burton, then at the height of their fame, because they promised much bigger box office earnings

[@GypsyFairy85]

I 'd read that Henry Fonda and Myrna Loy were considered also. Imagine that.

[@bennyfairfax1]

LakeConstan Bette Davis & James Mason would have been fantastic!

[@benmeyer8600]

I knew Edward. He sold the rights on two conditions-not one word of the dialogue was changed, and that Davis/Mason would be Martha/George; he loved the irony of Bette Davis trying to remember a quote from one of her own movies. However he thought Liz Taylor was "exceptional" and Burton "astounding". Apparently, Sandy Dennis encapsulated the role of Honey so well that he claimed nobody has done it better.

[@ph870]

the best cinema

[@garyaugustus1009]

Is just me, or does Burton's delivery favors Sir Anthony Hopkins? Especially when he speaks rapidly in a low monotone...

[@Anna-vz5jl]

Brilliant. Period.

[@BOMBSHELLLOLAPOP]

my favorite movie!!!

[@sbrecke1507]

Yes, by all means drink away, you'll need it as the years go on🍷