In the 16th Century, Petruchio (Richard Burton), a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, arrives in Padua intent on marrying Katharina (Elizabeth Taylor), the shrewish daughter of wealthy Baptists. Before Petruchio can catch her (and her dowry), Kate leads him on a merry chase. Yet, in announcing their imminent marriage, he uses a lusty kiss to smother her attempt to refuse him. Though her anger changes to a grim determination as Kate sets out to teach her presumptuous suitor a lesson, the would-be groom always seems to gain the upper hand. Following their wedding, Petruchio abruptly rides off with his servant, Grumio, leaving a tired and hungry Kate to follow on a mule. And in the battle of wit and wits that is their honeymoon, Kate is just as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to tame her. Back in Padua for the wedding of Kate's lovely younger sister, Bianca (Natasha Pyne), to Lucentio (Michael York), Petruchio bets he can prove that he's made his new bride into the most obedient of wives. But in helping him win the wager, Kate finds a less tempestuous, more effective - and mutually enjoyable -- way of dominating their relationship.