A Friendship Forged in the valleys

Richard Burton, the global icon celebrated for his commanding baritone and passionate relationship with Elizabeth Taylor, owes a significant part of his success too an unlikely figure: Philip Burton. Until recently, Philip’s pivotal role remained largely unknown. He was Richard’s school teacher who recognized his potential, became his legal ward, and even lent him his name, setting the stage for international stardom.

Ed Talfan, a producer on the biopic “Mr Burton,” describes their bond as a friendship built for the ages, an unlikely friendship. The film delves into Richard’s challenging early life in Port Talbot, South Wales, highlighting Philip’s transformative influence.

From Scrappy Schoolboy to Stage Star

In the film, Philip, portrayed by Toby Jones, is depicted as a cultured man deeply involved in literature and theater. He teaches English and produces plays. Richard, played by Harry Lawtey, is a steadfast young schoolboy with acting aspirations. Philip refines Richard’s posture and transforms his speaking voice, emphasizing clear pronunciation and projection.

While their demeanors differed, the two men shared similar backgrounds, making Philip’s role in Richard’s life all the more impactful. Philip’s guidance extended beyond elocution lessons; he instilled in Richard a sense of discipline and a broader understanding of the world.

Parallel Paths: Overcoming Adversity

Philip’s early life, like Richard’s, was marked by hardship. He grew up 30 miles (48km) from Richard in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon taf. Historian and philip’s biographer, prof. Angela John, notes that Philip had a rather tragic and lonely childhood. his father died in a mining accident when Philip was only 14. He wasn’t close to his mother but had been vrey close to his father.

Despite this, Philip excelled academically, winning a scholarship to Cardiff University at just 16 to study mathematics. Angela John explains, In a way he forged a whole new persona. He consciously worked to eliminate his Welsh accent, a common practice at the time for those seeking professional success in England.

Richard’s Early Struggles

Richard, born Richard Jenkins in 1925, was twenty years Philip’s junior. He was one of 13 children, though two died in infancy. When richard was two, his mother died from septicaemia after giving birth to a younger brother. Ed Talfan describes Richard as a working-class young man growing up in,I think it’s fair to say,abject poverty.

Richard lived with his sister, her miner husband, and their two daughters. Talfan emphasizes the bleak outlook, stating, The outlook for him was really, really tough. If you’re a betting person, you’d have just said, ‘well he’s going to end up down the mines or at the steelworks’. Despite the challenges, Angela John points out that Richard’s family was large and caring, providing support despite their limited resources.

Philip’s Intervention and Lasting Impact

Philip’s influence extended beyond academic and elocutionary guidance. He recognized Richard’s raw talent and provided him with opportunities to perform in local theater productions. This exposure ignited Richard’s passion and provided him with a platform to hone his skills.

The decision for Philip to become Richard’s legal ward was a pivotal moment. It provided Richard with stability and access to resources that would have or else been unavailable. This act of mentorship and support laid the foundation for Richard’s future success.

A Bond That Endured

The relationship between Richard and Philip Burton remained strong throughout their lives. Despite Richard’s global fame and demanding career, he never forgot the man who had believed in him and provided him with the opportunity to pursue his dreams.

The story of Philip Burton serves as a reminder of the profound impact that teachers and mentors can have on the lives of their students. His dedication and support transformed Richard Jenkins into Richard Burton, a name that would forever be etched in the annals of acting history.

From Richard Jenkins to Richard Burton: A Name Change and a New Trajectory

Richard burton, born Richard Jenkins, embarked on a transformative journey that saw him rise from humble beginnings to international stardom. A key element in this transformation was the influence of Philip Burton, a man who would become his mentor and, effectively, his adoptive father.

Angela,offering insights into this period,explained the rationale behind the name change: That happened for several reasons. She elaborated, it’s an awful thing to say these days, but [richard] would be in a better position to have a name like Burton, which was seen less as a sort of working-class Welsh name. This shift in nomenclature was perceived as a strategic move to enhance Richard’s prospects in the theater world.

Furthermore, philip’s established reputation played a crucial role. Also, in effect Philip was taking obligation for Richard and was already a well-respected person in the theatre world himself, so it gave Richard again a further opportunity, Angela noted. This mentorship provided Richard with invaluable access and credibility.

Addressing Speculation: Philip Burton’s Motives

The nature of Philip Burton’s interest in Richard has been a subject of speculation. while the film portrays Richard’s biological father as suspicious yet opportunistic,previous biographies have hinted at a more controversial angle.

Angela offers a different viewpoint: My take is perhaps rather different. She asserts, There is no evidence or proof whatsoever that there was any problem there or that Richard actually found it a problem. She acknowledges Philip’s later-in-life identity, stating, What I will say is that Philip was gay… much later in life when he lived in America he had one known long-term relationship, so I think in some instances this is people putting two and two together and making 25.

ed concurred,emphasizing the prevailing view among those who knew them personally: The people I’ve spoken to and the people the team have spoken to who knew Richard and Philip personally,and from the vast majority of biographies,our takeaway is that Philip’s motives were good,honest and pure. This suggests that Philip’s intentions were primarily driven by a genuine desire to nurture Richard’s talent.

The Launching Pad: Richard’s Acting Debut

Philip’s influence extended to providing Richard with his initial acting opportunities. Angela highlights that Philip’s connections were instrumental in securing Richard’s first break.

After establishing himself in theater, Richard transitioned to the screen, debuting in 1949 with “The Last Days of Dolwyn.” This marked the beginning of a prolific career that would see him become one of Wales’ most celebrated actors, renowned for roles in iconic films such as “Cleopatra” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

In 1960, he received a Tony Award for his portrayal of King Arthur in “Camelot” on Broadway. Despite seven Oscar nominations, he never secured a win, a fact that underscores the often unpredictable nature of awards recognition.

Beyond the Stage: Personal Life and Lasting Connections

Richard’s personal life was as dramatic as his on-screen performances.He married five times, famously twice to Elizabeth Taylor, creating a whirlwind of media attention and public captivation.

Philip, meanwhile, continued his contributions to the arts, working on nearly 200 radio programs and championing the work of Dylan Thomas. He later reinvented himself in the United States, becoming the first director of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Despite geographical distance and personal relationships, Richard and Philip maintained a close bond, with only a brief two-year period of estrangement. This rift was reportedly due to Philip’s loyalty to Richard’s first wife, Sybil.

angela recounts, Philip wouldn’t talk to Richard because he was so loyal to Sybil, Richard’s first wife. Ironically, it was elizabeth Taylor who, despite never having met Philip at that point, facilitated their reconciliation.

The Guiding Hand: Philip Burton’s Influence

Philip Burton, a dedicated teacher, played a pivotal role in shaping the career of Richard Burton, one of the 20th century’s most celebrated actors. Beyond his professional impact, a surprising friendship blossomed between Philip Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, adding another layer to this compelling narrative.

The film Mr Burton delves into this complex relationship, revealing how Philip’s guidance extended beyond the stage and into the personal lives of the iconic couple.

A friendship Forged in Support

According to Angela, a close acquaintance of the Burtons, Elizabeth Taylor sought Philip’s assistance during a challenging time for Richard.

[Richard] was trying to get his head around the Gielgud production of Hamlet and was having some difficulties with it… so [Elizabeth] phoned [Philip] and asked him if he would come to help Richard.

This act of support highlights the depth of their connection and Philip’s invaluable role in Richard’s life.

Enduring Bonds: A Lifelong Connection

The friendship between Philip Burton and Elizabeth Taylor transcended Richard’s life. Even after his death in 1984 from a cerebral hemorrhage, their bond remained strong.

When Philip was dying, Elizabeth went to visit him in hospital in Florida and the nurse on the ward said she nearly fell over when she saw who the visitor was, said Angela.

This poignant anecdote underscores the genuine affection and respect they held for one another.

Legacy and Remembrance

Philip Burton passed away in 1995 at the age of 90. His impact, however, continues to resonate through the lives he touched. Ed, reflecting on Philip’s influence, believes the story of their relationship will resonate with many.

It’s almost a cliche that everybody remembers a great teacher,but it’s cliche for a reason as you only need one in your life and it’s transformative, he said.

Angela echoes this sentiment, expressing hope that the film will allow Philip to finally receive the recognition he deserves.

It clearly helps to make Philip better known to the world, which I think he does deserve to be, she said. He deserves to be known in his own right as he actually was a remarkable man.

A Daughter’s Perspective: Kate Burton on Set

Kate Burton, Richard Burton’s daughter, described her experience on set as “very emotional,” notably moved by the performances of the actors portraying her father and grandfather.

Just seeing those two amazing actors play these two very vital men in my life…it was the weirdest, strangest thing, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

She lauded the authenticity of the production, stating, I thought this is looking really fantastic and very authentic. That was the thing that was making me the most happy.

Kate Burton also praised Toby Jones’ portrayal of Philip Burton, whom she considered “my adopted grandfather.”

What I felt about Toby was that he had found Phil Burton’s incredible dignity, his quiet dignity and also his quiet ambition.

She noted that Lawtey’s performance captured a youthful side of her father, saying, There are times where he’s almost childish, and there’s times where he’s very grown up and I think that was something that really felt very, very genuine in terms of the way dada must have navigated his life because he had to grow up very, very fast.

Release Details

Mr Burton, produced by Severn Screen, BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on April 4, 2025.