Director: Paul Tilzey
Photography: David South, Alex Hansen, Luke Cardiff, Douglas Hartington, Mark Molesworth
Editor: Coline Napthine
Sound: David Welch, Alex Sullivan, Kuz Randhawa, Peter Cavanagh, Tim Day
With: Richard Burton
Narrator: Tara Fitzgerald
Producer: Paul Tilzey
Production: BBC in coproduction with A&E Network
Distribution: BBC Worldwide
First Broadcast: 10.07.2001, 21:00 BBC2
Selected Filmography Paul Tilzey: Omnibus - Laughter in the House: The Story of British Sitcom, 1999; Joe Luis - The Boxer who beat Hitler, 2000; Secret of the Black Diaries, 2002.
From the Welsh coal mines to the Shakespeare stage in London, into the arms of Liz Taylor and the cold embrace of alcoholism, this classic BBC biography follows the path of Richard Burton (Jenkins by birth). His marriage to Liz Taylor led him to the pinnacle of fame and inner turmoil. He became the tragic figure, the prototype of a Hollywood star who crumbled in fear of not meeting expectations, despite his popularity. Interviews with relatives, co-workers and friends complement the fondly gathered archive material, making an impressive portrait of failure of the highest calibre.