Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

On a stormy university evening a history professor and his wife invite a younger faculty couple to their home. What begins as a seemingly ordinary social visit quickly turns into a tense psychological duel as cocktails loosen the couple's guard. Secrets about love, disappointment, and buried resentments drift into the room, and the hosts use humor and sharp cruelty to peel away the guests' defenses. The floor becomes a stage for long simmering grievances, while outward civility masks a relationship that is corrosive, jealous, and exhausted. As the night wears on, the conversations spiral into accusations, false memories, and power plays that threaten to pull everyone into a darker truth. The tension on screen translates to a claustrophobic energy that intensifies with every exchange.

Directed by Mike Nichols, this 1966 screen version brings Edward Albee's play to life as a lean chamber drama. Ernest Lehman adapted the screenplay with Harold Michelson's production input, led by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The cast's chemistry anchors the tone.

Budget was about 7.5 million and the film grossed approximately 33.7 million worldwide, signaling strong audience appeal for a stage based drama.

It earned broad recognition from the Academy, with several nominations and wins that highlighted its bold stage to screen transformation. Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis were celebrated for acting, and the film's screenplay and direction were singled out for praise. Its impact persisted in later discussions of adaptation craft.

Its sharp dialogue and electric performances helped define a bold approach to stage to screen adaptions. The movie is often cited in debates about cinematic realism, marital power dynamics, and 1960s cultural boundaries. The Liz Taylor and Richard Burton pairing drew intense attention and remains a touchstone for serious drama. The film's reputation endures in scholarly and fan discussions.