Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Plot Summary

George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Dame Elizabeth Taylor) are a middle-aged married couple, whose charged relationship is defined by vitriolic verbal battles, which underlies what seems like an emotional dependence upon each other. This verbal abuse is fueled by an excessive consumption of alcohol. George being an associate history professor in a New Carthage university where Martha's father is the President adds an extra dimension to their relationship. Late one Saturday evening after a faculty mixer, Martha invites Nick (George Segal) and Honey (Sandy Dennis), an ambitious young biology professor new to the university and his mousy wife, over for a nightcap. As the evening progresses, Nick and Honey, plied with more alcohol, get caught up in George and Martha's games of needing to hurt each other and everyone around them. The ultimate abuse comes in the form of talk of George and Martha's unseen sixteen-year-old son, whose birthday is the following day.

Notice: This text may contain spoilers.

Release Date

Also Known As (A.K.A.)

Certification

Sensitive content guide

Awards

Golden Globes, USA (1967)

Golden Globe 1967

Nominated

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Golden Globe 1967

Nominated

Best Screenplay

Ernest Lehman

Academy Awards, USA (1967)

Oscar 1967

Winner

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

Richard Sylbert George James Hopkins

Oscar 1967

Nominated

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

Ernest Lehman

Oscar 1967

Winner

Best Costume Design, Black-and-White

Irene Sharaff

Oscar 1967

Nominated

Best Sound

George Groves

Oscar 1967

Nominated

Best Film Editing

Sam O'Steen

Oscar 1967

Nominated

Best Picture

Ernest Lehman

Oscar 1967

Winner

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

Haskell Wexler

Oscar 1967

Nominated

Best Music, Original Music Score

Alex North

BAFTA Awards (1967)

BAFTA Film Award 1967

Winner

Best Film from any Source

Mike Nichols