Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
A savage, booze-soaked descent into the hell of a disintegrating marriage. Amidst the sterile gloom of an academic campus, four souls strip away illusions until only the raw, terrifying bone of truth remains.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

"You are cordially invited to George and Martha's for an evening of fun and games"

22 June 1966 United States of America 131 min ⭐ 7.7 (883)
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, Sandy Dennis, Agnes Flanagan
Drama
Illusion vs. Reality The sterility of the American Dream Marriage as a Battlefield Success and Failure
Budget: $7,500,000
Box Office: $33,736,689

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? ... I am, George. I am.

— Martha

Context:

The very last lines of the film, spoken softly after the 'son' has been declared dead.

Meaning:

The final admission of vulnerability. It signifies that without the 'big bad wolf' (illusion), she is terrified of the reality (Virginia Woolf/madness/truth) she must now face.

What a dump!

— Martha

Context:

Spoken immediately upon entering the messy house, quoting a Bette Davis film.

Meaning:

Establishes Martha's theatrical discontent and her reliance on pop culture to express her dissatisfaction with her domestic life.

I swear to God George, if you even existed I'd divorce you.

— Martha

Context:

During one of their early arguments in front of the guests.

Meaning:

Highlights the existential nature of their conflict; George is so passive and beaten down he barely registers as a 'real' man to her.

Truth or illusion, George; you don't know the difference.

— Martha

Context:

Spoken during the escalation of their games, accusing George of losing his grip.

Meaning:

Encapsulates the central theme of the film: the blurring lines between their fabricated reality and the actual world.

A drowning man takes down those nearest.

— Martha

Context:

Reflecting on George's behavior and the inevitable collateral damage of their fighting.

Meaning:

A warning about the destructive nature of their relationship and how it will consume Nick and Honey.