When it comes to legends of the substantial screen, few names loom larger than Richard Burton. With his rugged good looks, incomparable baritone, re
When it comes to legends of the substantial screen, few names loom larger than Richard Burton. With his rugged good looks, incomparable baritone, reputation for raising hell, and magnetic charisma, the seven-time Oscar nominated Welshman — star of Look Back In Anger, Cleopatra, Becket, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? — sits comfortably among Hollywood’s all-time greats. But before there was Burton, there was Richard Jenkins, a adolescent boy from Port Talbot with a head full of dreams and a long, long way to go to realise them. It’s this story that Marc Evans’ Mr. Burton – which stars Harry Lawtey (Joker: Folie À Deux) as a pre-Hollywood Jenkins, and Toby Jones as his unlikely mentor (and eventual adoptive father) Philip Burton – is set to tell. Check out an exclusive first trailer for the film below:
Releasing in this, the year that marks Richard Burton’s 100th birthday, Mr. Burton promises to tell quite the origin story. In this first proper look at Evans’ film, we get snatches of the unruly schoolboy torn between the rugby field and the prospect of the stage, of the budding relationship that forms between him and his Bard loving teacher Philip Burton (Jones), and even a glimpse at Lawtey’s newly minted Richard Burton preparing to tread the boards professionally for the first time. There’s also the promise that the film will be unafraid to get stuck into the roots of Burton’s alcoholism, and the tempestuous relationship between the actor and his biological father, as well as that which he formed with the eponymous Mr. Burton.
Here’s the official synopsis for the film, which co-stars Lesley Manville, Aneurin Barnard, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards: “In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (Jones). Taking Richard under his wing, the young man thrives under Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Manville). However, as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.”
And here’s the official poster, too:
See how Richard Burton’s legend was born when Mr. Burton hits UK cinemas on 4 April.
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