Mr. Burton

Mr. Burton quite simply is a biopic of the early life of Richard Jenkins, later to become Richard Burton as the film goes at great lengths to explain.

The cast are excellent be it Toby Jones as English teacher/thespian Philip Burton who becomes a guiding light to son of a (drunk) Welsh miner Dic Jenkins.

However the best performance is from young actor Harry Lawtey who plays the Richard Jenkins cum Burton role. From a raw poor Welsh schoolboy he becomes one of the biggest actors in the world and this film shows how Mr. Philip Burton moulded him to do so. Not just in name but Anglicizing his diction to become the great orator he is remembered for being.

Toby Jones is a mainstay of British cinema and television and his portrayal is non-scandalous when surely some tongues wagged at his close relationship with Richard Jenkins.

British, low budget but intriguing indeed. I have watched Burton's filmography vehemently over several months and now after watching this film I may explore some Burton biographies in book form. This film is definitely better than even I expected.

I didn't know what I was expecting from this film, but It is absolutely superb.

At first I wasn't sure that Harry Lawtey as Burton had the presence needed for such a huge role, by then end I was wondering if he may well win an Oscar for his performance.

Also starring Toby Jones and Lesley Manville, two of the finest actors around and both as excellent as expected, although Manville slightly underused in my opinion.

Rounding out a superb cast are Anuerin Barnard and Aimee-Ffion Edwards again both excellent.

Knowing the story of old It's a true life feel good movie showing how having belief in someone with no agenda pays off handsomely and is very inspiring.

The scenes in Taibach, Port Talbot and surrounding areas are fascinating to see how they've caught that moment in time with the steelworks spewing out the pollution that so blighted the landscape.

The best film i've seen in a long time and is a must see.

Mr. Burton offers a glimpse into the pivotal early life of Richard Burton (Rich Jenkins), guided by his influential teacher, Philip Burton.

While Toby Jones delivers a predictably strong performance as Philip Burton, anchoring the film with his understated gravitas, the movie itself presents a mixed bag, showcasing both its heartfelt intentions and some narrative stumbles.

The film's core strength lies in its portrayal of the mentorship between Philip Burton and young Richard Jenkins (a commendable Harry Lawtey). Their evolving dynamic is compelling, painting a vivid picture of how a working-class boy from Port Talbot was shaped into a theatrical force. Jones and Lawtey share a believable chemistry that drives the narrative forward, highlighting the profound impact one individual can have on another's destiny.

However, "Mr. Burton" isn't without its drawbacks. The pacing, while allowing for character development, can feel overly deliberate, occasionally bordering on slow. Some narrative beats follow a familiar biopic trajectory, which, while comforting, can also limit the film's sense of fresh discovery. Furthermore, while the film touches upon the complexities and whispers surrounding their close relationship, it tends to shy away from deeper exploration, leaving certain intriguing facets underexamined. In a certain way, that might have been for the better!

Ultimately, it's a sincere and well-acted tribute, but one that occasionally plays it safe, preventing it from truly soaring.

My Review- Mr Burton My Rating 8/10 In Cinemas now

This interesting and insightful movie concerns the early life in Wales of Richard Burton up till his acclaimed stage debut in 1951 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford in plays that included Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V, as part of the Festival of Britain .

The Mr Burton in the title was Philip Burton Richard's friend and tutor and later foster father played brilliantly by Toby Jones .

The movie opens with a quote from Elizabeth Taylor who said, "Without Philip Burton, there would have been no Richard.

With a very good screenplay written by Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams Mr Burton is skilfully directed by Marc Evans . The story begins with the then young Richard Jenkins mid school years in Wales .

Richard Jenkins who with the tutelage and encouragement of his teacher Philip Burton wins a scholarship exam for admission into Port Talbot Secondary School in March 1937 and passed it.

Philip Burton is a quiet sensitive man who boards with his delightful landlady and friend Ma Smith played with such charm by Leslie Manville .

Philip is passionate about stage acting and is instrumental in starting an amateur acting studio in Port Talbot .

His protege Richard's raw emotional and natural talent is obvious to Philip even though his pupils rough Welsh accent and lack of experience poses problems in the beginning.

Young British actor Harry Lawtey is excellent in the role of Richard Jenkins who later for professional reasons takes the name of his teacher Philip Burton.

Actor Harry Lawtey skilfully develops in manner and has an uncanny appearance to the young Richard Burton.

He transforms from the rough diamond son of an alcoholic father who gives his son consent to change his name once he's paid fifty pounds by Philip Burton then accuses Richard of being a poofter .

It soon becomes obvious that the actor now Richard Burton on the eve of great stage fame has inherited the alcohol problem that many famous Welsh actors including Peter O'Toole, Anthony Hopkins and Richard Harris experienced.

His unpredictable tantrums while under the influence of alcohol would haunt his life until his premature death aged only 58 years old in 1984.

Richard Burton is one of an elite club of great movie actors who although nominated seen times for an Academy Award amazingly never won an Oscar .

Mr Burton is a fine independent movie produced by BBC Wales probably on a very limited budget which probably explains the at times very obvious CGI sets however the cast is superb and I'm certain that any movie buff will enjoy Mr Burton .

If for no other reason this film is worth watching for the performance of Toby Jones as Philip Burton. The teacher who started Richard Burton on his way to super stardom.

It is touching and moving to see the faith that the teacher had in Richard Burton that he would make good as an actor.

The whole cast is excellent particularly the two actors playing Burton as a schoolboy and then as an actor in his twenties at the beginning of his metioric rise to startdom. Burtins overindulgence in alcohol, probably inherited from his father hinting at the problems that would confront him in later life and lead to his early death.

This deserves to be seen by more than the small cinema attendance.