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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ()

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A bitter, aging couple, with the help of alcohol, use their young houseguests to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other over the course of a distressing night.
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Awards:
  • Won 5 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 26 nominations.
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198 photos | 1 video

Cast verified as complete

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Martha
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George
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Nick
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Honey
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Agnes Flanagan ...
Roadhouse Waitress (uncredited)
Frank Flanagan ...
Roadhouse Manager (uncredited)

Directed by

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Mike Nichols

Written by

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Ernest Lehman ... (screenplay)
 
Edward Albee ... (play) (uncredited)

Produced by

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Ernest Lehman ... producer (uncredited)

Music by

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Alex North ... (music composed by)

Cinematography by

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Haskell Wexler ... director of photography

Editing by

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Sam O'Steen ... film editor

Editorial Department

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John F. Burnett ... assistant editor (uncredited)

Production Design by

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Richard Sylbert

Set Decoration by

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George James Hopkins

Costume Design by

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Irene Sharaff ... (costumes designed by)

Makeup Department

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Gordon Bau ... makeup artist: Miss Taylor
Ron Berkeley ... makeup artist: Mr. Burton (as Ronnie Berkeley)
Sydney Guilaroff ... hair styles creator: Miss Taylor
Jean Burt Reilly ... supervising hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

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Bud Grace ... assistant director
Michael Daves ... second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department

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Craig Binkley ... On-Set Dresser
Robert Cooper ... property master
Craig Binkley ... set dresser (uncredited)
Bill Gold ... poster designer (uncredited)
Harold Michelson ... storyboard artist (uncredited)
Joseph Musso ... production illustrator (uncredited)

Sound Department

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M.A. Merrick ... sound
George Groves ... sound recordist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Frank Flanagan ... gaffer (uncredited)
Ralph Gerling ... camera operator (uncredited)
Robert Jason ... electrician (uncredited)
Michael A. Jones ... rigging gaffer (uncredited)
Robert Willoughby ... special still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

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Joan Joseff ... costume jeweller (uncredited)

Music Department

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Alex North ... conductor
Robert Bain ... musician: guitar (uncredited)
Henry Brant ... orchestrator (uncredited)
Dan Wallin ... music scoring mixer (uncredited)

Script and Continuity Department

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Meta Rebner ... script supervisor

Transportation Department

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Frank Khoury ... driver: cast (uncredited)

Additional Crew

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Richard Barr ... produced on the stage by
Doane Harrison ... production advisor
Hal W. Polaire ... assistant to the producer (as Hal Polaire)
Clinton Wilder ... produced on the stage by
Wayne Fitzgerald ... title designer (uncredited)
T.J. Healy II ... production assistant (uncredited)
Herbert Ross ... choreographer (uncredited)
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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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. Written by Huggo

Plot Keywords
Taglines It can now be said: 1. Apart from its widespread critical acclaim, it has provoked more discussion, interest and excitement than any other picture in memory. 2. People want to see it - in unprecedented numbers. In its first engagements it has shattered every record in the history of all theatres involved. 3. It has become a significant and extraordinary entertainment event. It is truly a unique motion picture. See more »
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Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (United States)
  • Qui a peur de Virginia Woolf? (France)
  • Wer hat Angst vor Virginia Woolf? (Germany)
  • ¿Quién teme a Virginia Woolf? (Spain)
  • Qui té por de Virginia Woolf? (Spain, Catalan title)
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Runtime
  • 131 min
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Filming Locations

Box Office

Budget $7,500,000 (estimated)

Did You Know?

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Trivia This became the first movie in Academy Awards and cinema history to be nominated for every Academy Award category in which it was eligible, including Best Adapted Screenplay (Ernest Lehman), Director (Mike Nichols), all of the acting categories (Richard Burton, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, George Segal and Sandy Dennis) and Picture of the Year (Ernest Lehman), since Cimarron (1931). See more »
Goofs The four characters stop at a bar after the first soiree at George's house. It is clearly after 2:00 a.m., since the time was stated during the first segment. No bars, however, would have been open after 1 or 2 a.m. in the New England states, where the film is set. See more »
Movie Connections Edited from The Letter (1940). See more »
Soundtracks Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (to the tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush) See more »
Quotes Martha: I hope that was an empty bottle, George! You can't afford to waste good liquor, not on YOUR salary!
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