Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (2 Disc Special Edition)

Nichols' first film was a searing adaptation of Edward Albee's landmark Broadway play. George (Richard Burton) is an Associate (that word is important) Professor in the History Department of a small college where Martha's (Elizabeth Taylor) father once was president. During one booze soaked night with another couple, George and Martha unleash all the demons that have beset their rocky life together. It's a night filled with disillusionment, recriminations, and regret. The movie is a singularly powerful experience. Easily Taylor's best work (she won her second Oscar) and Burton offers one of the towering performances in American film. Sandy Dennis and cinematographer Haskell Wexler also won Academy Awards (Dennis promptly gave hers to her business manager). Originally, the property was purchased by Jack Warner for Bette Davis and James Mason. Taylor's eventually being given the role ranked with Davis' loss of Scarlett O'Hara in the chronicle of professional disappointments suffered by the legendary actress.