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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Play trailer Poster for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1966 2h 9m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
History professor George (Richard Burton) and his boozy wife, Martha (Elizabeth Taylor), return late one Saturday night from a cocktail party at the home of the college president, Martha's father. Martha announces that she invited another couple, newly appointed instructor Nick (George Segal) and his timid wife, Honey (Sandy Dennis), over for a nightcap. When the younger couple arrive, the night erupts into a no-holds-barred torrent of marital angst and verbal tirades.
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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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Critics Consensus

Led by a volcanic performance from Elizabeth Taylor, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a scathing adaptation of the Edward Albee play that serves as a brilliant calling card for debuting director Mike Nichols.

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Critics Reviews

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Kate Cameron New York Daily News Mar 10, 2015
[Taylor] is nothing less than brilliant as the shrewish, slovenly. blasphemous, frustrated, slightly wacky, alcoholic wife of a meek, unambitious assistant professor of history at a university, over which her father reigns as president. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Village Voice Mar 10, 2015
Nichols has actually committed all the classic errors of the sophisticated stage director let loose on the unsophisticated movies. For starters, he has underestimated the power of the spoken word in his search for visual pyrotechnics. Go to Full Review James Powers The Hollywood Reporter Nov 20, 2014
The greatest credit for the implacable engagement that the film creates for its audience must go to the director, Mike Nichols. Nichols makes a stunning film bow with Virginia Woolf. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 12, 2025
4/4
It's one of the Academy's black marks that Richard Burton didn't win the Best Actor Oscar for his remarkable, career-capping performance. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Oct 19, 2024
2.5/4
...an erratic yet sporadically electrifying drama... Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 21, 2022
4/5
There is simply no denying the strengths of “Virginia Woolf”, but your overall enjoyment may depend on your tolerance levels. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cineinthecity May 10, 2021 World-class acting all around See more bruce F @bruce999 Aug 14, 2026 believable script, and acting. this is a fun movie, for adults. and watch out for the 'little bugger' See more Steve Y @Cubby65 Aug 3, 2026 This brutality on the senses is highly regarded in many circles, but not mine. When George Segal's character, towards the end, says " my god... I understand", I wanted him to come off so I could ask him " what? WHAT? Please explain it to me!" See more Michael J @RT23312983 Jun 20, 2026 I cannot remove the hurt that movie portrays from my mind. Damn that was intense! See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Jun 1, 2026 The stage-to-screen translation opt to magnify certain elements for atmospheric purpose within intimate distance, which awkwardly positions the viewer as invasive to the ensuing mutual verbal assault under unappealing unbalance, but the Mike Nichols’ directorial debut unveils ambiguous enigma in the harsh spites that begins to express more about the characters as felt in the performative convictions following a thrillingly polished screenplay. (B+) See more Graham B. @gbake13 Mar 22, 2026 Absolute master piece watched it in theaters it was surprisingly funny one of the best movies I have ever seen 5/5 See more Read all reviews
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Nichols

Director

Elizabeth Taylor

Martha

Richard Burton

George

George Segal

Nick

Sandy Dennis

Honey

Agnes Flanagan

Roadhouse Waitress

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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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Movie Info

Synopsis History professor George (Richard Burton) and his boozy wife, Martha (Elizabeth Taylor), return late one Saturday night from a cocktail party at the home of the college president, Martha's father. Martha announces that she invited another couple, newly appointed instructor Nick (George Segal) and his timid wife, Honey (Sandy Dennis), over for a nightcap. When the younger couple arrive, the night erupts into a no-holds-barred torrent of marital angst and verbal tirades.
Director
Mike Nichols
Producer
Ernest Lehman
Screenwriter
Edward Albee, Ernest Lehman
Distributor
Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 22, 1966, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Mono
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