Mr. Burton

The incredible story of how Rich Jenkins, a young man from a poor family in Port Talbot became a multi award winning Hollywood star.

It's fair to say this is my kind of film, but knowing Burton's story pretty well, it was interesting to see how they decided to translate it onto the big screen.

Without sounding sentimental, it's a lovely, heartwarming movie, it's uplifting and emotional, a young Burton seemed to have everything against him, his troubled father, poverty, even the country itself, but somehow he overcome the odds.

It is beautifully made, it looks terrific, the sets and clothes look terrific, they did their best with the CGI.

Toby Jones and Lesley Manville do what they do best, they deliver, I know Harry Lawtey well from the wonderful BBC series Industry, I thought he did a very fine job.

The first cinema film I've seen for some time that's made me want to order the blu ray.

8/10.

Watched> Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025 @ The Backlot Cinema, Blackpool. Rated 5 * * * * * EXCELLENT < Cert. 12A > This True Story of the early life of Richard Burton, played by the talented Harry Lawtey, as Rich Jenkins, the young Richard Burton, acting opposite the wonderfully talented Toby Jones, as Philip Burton, both putting in BAFTA winning performances (Toby as Best Actor and Harry as Best Supporting Actor). This atmospheric picture with its smoke filled gritty mining town of Port Talbot in Wales were they lived back in the day. Well done to the production teams who made this - BBC Wales, Brookstreet Pictures and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in bringing us this wonderful Film/Movie. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Footnote> Richard Burton, was the most famous star to come from Wales. RB died on Sunday, 5th August, 1984, age 58, due to a bleed on the brain. His lifestyle of partying, heavy smoking and drinking, can't have helped, adding to his early death of 58. The American equivalent to RB was Humphrey Bogart, who was also partying most of the time after filming, with his heavy smoking and drinking, dying at the age of 57, one year difference between both top actors. The opposite in lifestyle to RB & HB was James Cagney, who acted alongside HB in many movies, but instead of partying with the smoking and drinking, JC went straight home, after filming to his family living on their farm. JC died age 86 - not 57 & 58. I think their is something to learn from that. (ps)

This is a very good film of the early life of Richard Burton describing the mentoring of the youngster from schoolboy to debutant actor at Stratford.

All the acting performances are excellent. Toby Jones and Leslie Manville are especially good as his surrogate parents. Harry Lawtey achieves a tremendous transformation from awkward schoolboy to the young actor with the distinctive voice and remarkable power. If anything the final transformation of this emergent ego is rather sudden. It would be interesting to know whether the dramatic fall out and reconciliation was true.

Richard Burton was one of the great actors who possessed a barely suppressed anger and rage. The Spy who came in from the Cold is my favourite of his films. This superbly crafted bio-pic makes me want to watch more.

Mr. Burton is a beautifully crafted film that lingers long after the credits roll. Anchored by a standout performance from its lead, the story weaves heart, humor, and a quiet intensity into a truly unforgettable experience. The direction is assured, allowing small moments to breathe while never losing narrative momentum. Every frame feels intentional, with gorgeous cinematography and a haunting score that elevates the emotional depth. Mr. Burton is that rare kind of film-intimate yet expansive, personal yet universally resonant. It's a moving, masterfully told story that deserves to be seen, felt, and celebrated.

Don't know who he is, didn't watch him play the new joker, haven't heard anyone mentioned about him. Didn't event want to watch this movie when glancing the movie poster with Toby Jones.

But when the trailer showed up before another movie I was going to watch, oh my, the way he escalates the mountain screaming was A Master already, just this new seconds, I wanted to know who this guy is , how good he can act, what about Mr Burton.

The way to tell this biography-like is predictable, a bit boring tbh, but, watching this upcoming super star acting , from an innocent school teenage boy, to an ungrateful adopted troubled young man, to an arrogant alcoholic rising actor, it was FASCINATING, his eyes are telling story, dragging all the audiences at once !

I wish he will get more and more important roles with world class production. We can't let an actor with this astonishing talent slips away.