Richard Burton: A Life

As noted by this review's title, there are countless newer biographies of Richard Burton, and many of them have also been purchased and made it onto my bookshelves. But I continue to replace copies of this specific bio by Melvyn Bragg because it is so superbly researched and written, and it also makes generous use of Richard's own notebooks, journals and letters, which were supplied to the author by Burton's widow, Sally. Other reviews note so much of the actor's life, and of course, we all know of his importance to both stage and film; how does one add her own two cents when a subject has been covered so thoroughly and splendidly by fellow reviewers? Well, I will say that what I liked so much about this book is that - knowing as much as I do about Richard's movies, and recognizing his amazing voice to this day on a classic movie channel without even having to turn around and look: That's Richard Burton -, this book is written in a tone that could almost be mistaken for the actor himself regaling the stories, talking into a 1970s' or early '80s' microphone and recorder, with the author Bragg taking notes and making certain he didn't run out of batteries or tapes. There is such an easy feeling to the text, as though it came naturally from the start, and I was quite surprised to see that another reviewer had noted it to be heavy going. Perhaps it matters if the reader himself understands many of the things brought up throughout the book - that is meant in no way to be disparaging, but if you haven't had family from the mines, people who have spent their lives in two foot of water and looking for a seam of promise and hope, perhaps all the talk of Richard's father and other family members toiling away in the Welsh mines is a bit foreign, and what in the world does any of that have to do with a man who became one of the highest paid actors in the world? But I liked it, because my family comes out of Harlan, Kentucky, and I can appreciate the odds that Richard beat, and just how much that fact must have danced with his mind, for both good and bad, at times. The author also details to an astonishing degree each and every one of Richard's family members, many of his friends, all of his mentors, dozens of his fans, lovers and so forth, and yes, it is a great deal of information, and we're not even into the movies, the drinking, and...Elizabeth, yet, but it is necessary. I loved reading how dearly he loved his elder sister, Cis, with whom he went to live with at the age of two years, after losing his mother to a premature death. That the author also took the time to note that Richard could never recall his own mother, having lost her at such a young age, and that it was something that "...greatly saddened and disturbed (Burton) to no end", told me more about one of my favorite actors. This was a deep thinking man, whom, had he not been welcomed by stage and cinema, would have had no trouble becoming one of the writers of substance that he so admired. I love knowing that this man may not so much have been impossible to 'keep' by the women in his life, or that he did not think them worthy of him (he, in fact, never spoke ill of his exes, wording even barbs traded with E.T. more humorously than bitterly), but that this was a man, motherless at two, technically fatherless in so many ways (if you think Richard himself was a handful, you need to read about his father, Dic), who may well have set off on a path of looking for an impossible amount of replacement love at a very young age. He idolized his older brother, Ifor - this relationship, too, would be filled with pain, guilt, and mourning. Burton had an autistic daughter, Jessica, with his first wife, Sybil, and in an era when such children were institutionalized without so much as a blink, Richard became an absent father to an irretrievable daughter. It is impossible for the reader not to acknowledge that these many psychological and emotional events in his life did not lead, in some way, to the later brawling, carrying on and raising hell Richard Burton whom is so recalled to this day. (My own son is autistic, and to know that as little as forty years ago, there was assumed to be no promise or hope for these children whatsoever is heartbreaking). The author follows this extremely detailed path through 600 pages (yes, 600), and we learn of the beforementioned early life as the son of a miner, the beginning of Burton's acting career, the women (yes, including E.T.), the movies, the drinking, the health issues - both his and Taylor's -, the diamonds, the money, my god, this man had one hell of an interesting karma, didn't he? I love that entire excerpts from Richard's own journals are reprinted in this bio, entries discussing Elizabeth's hospital stays, the fact that he knows he'll be screwed out of the Oscar yet again (Richard Burton NEVER won an Acadeny Award, that tells you right there how seriously you can take those things), and even his opinion of whatever play he was in at the moment and the audience's reaction (he seemed genuinely surprised to be receiving nightly standing ovations for "Camelot")... these are fascinating to read. And, thinking man that he was, beneath all the brawling and boozing, I find something very poetic in that, when Richard's time here came to a sudden end at the age of 58, the curtain came down so suddenly and so finally for this man that his note taking was literally stopped mid-word: "...Our revels now are ended...Cap a pi -". And then the brain hemmorhage hit, and that great, deep voice was silenced, forever. I loved this book, and learning so much about one of my very, very favorite actors; I think that anybody reading up on Richard would want to add this to their armload of books on him, because it truly is perfect, and a wonderful study of a man whom, dead almost three decades now, continues to be considered one of the greatest actors, ever. Put that legacy up next to the flavors of the month cranking out what we're being told is entertainment now, and and you'll be grateful that we had Richard for the brief time that we were allowed.

This is a long, well-researched view of the rise (and subsequent fall) of one of the most gifted actors of the late 20th century. Burton's story is improbable, but fascinating. Few people, even those as innately gifted as Burton, attain monumental heights without tremendous inner drive and work ethic. Coming from a childhood of near poverty in which his mother died when he was only two years old, working incredibly hard-- arising at 4am along with the local coal miners to collect animal dung (used for fuel), deliver daily newspapers (and then collect the papers on the weekend to sell to a fish and chips shop where he also worked "eyeing" the potatoes), he was a truly self-made man. He was mentored by no less than four men who recognized his attributes, including one (Philip H. Burton) who took him as his legal ward to allow him entry to Oxford University. His meager background perhaps makes Burton's rationale for involving himself in some incredibly terrible films (as well as several terrific ones) more understandable. Because this is a long and detailed volume, one probably should be a dedicated Richard Burton fan to appreciate this book.

Richard Burton certainly lead a very colorful and full life. Probably hard to keep up with. This publication writes about the good and the problematic of what made up Richard Burton's life. The story line is well reported, but lacks character. It then becomes long and wordy. It still is a good read, and certainly highlights the generosity of Burton, as well as the troubles of his life. He was a fine actor, but was not exposed enough to show his strong talent on the big screen. Like most upper class entertainers the lush lifestyle often over- shadows the true meaning of life and then your life becomes distorted. One thing with Richard Burton, he never lost the sense of where he came from. He had a good life, but left too early.

I you love Richard Burton, get this book. Shamus.

This book is very thorough and comprehensive, but it is packed with so much information that it took me awhile to become accustomed to Bragg's writing style.The author covers Burton's life through his Notebooks and interviews with those who knew him personally. It reveals some great insights into acting and the theater as well.

Love Richard Burton! So enjoyed the book

Great Thanks

Great book!

great actor ans flawed person as many great people are one of those carnt put down books .Well written and full of very interesting facts in fact a good read

ok

Excellent

very happy enjoying it a lot

Service was excellent...and so very appreciated...