Dazzling the Screen Richard Burton

Welsh actor Richard Burton was known for his baritone voice. He established himself as a Shakespearean actor in the 1950s. Unfortunately, the actor was also known for his heavy drinking, but at least until he passed in 1984 at the age of 58, he was widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation.

Director Charles Jarrott directed the 1969 British historical drama “Anne of the Thousand Days." The film was an adaptation of the 1948 play of the same name by Maxwell Anderson. The film starred Richard Burton, Genevieve Bujold, Irene Papas, Anthony Quayle, and others.

The storyline tells about how Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold) lived. King Henry VIII was portrayed by Richard Burton.

Director Peter Glenville directed the 1964 British historical drama "Becket." It was adapted from the 1959 play “Becket or the Honor of God” by Jean Anouilh. It starred Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O’Toole as King Henry II with others.

The storyline explores the complex relationship between Becket and King Henry II of England, transitioning from friendship to conflict as Becket prioritizes his loyalty to the Church over the king's wishes.

Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed the 1963 epic historical drama "Cleopatra." It was adapted from the 1957 book “The Life and Times of Cleopatra” by Carlo Maria Buchman. It starred Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowall, and Martin Landau.

The storyline chronicles the struggles of the young queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (Elizabeth Taylor). Richard Burton portrays Mark Anthony.

Director John Huston directed the 1964 American drama “The Night of the Iguana." It was based on the 1961 play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The film starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardener, Deborah Kerr, Grayson Hall, Sue Lyons, and Cyril Delevanti.

The storyline follows Reverend Dr. T. Lawrence Shannon (Richard Burton) as a guide and driver for a company running tours from Texas into Mexico. He takes a group of bottled-up Baptists to a rundown hotel in Costa Verde.

Director Vincente Minnelli directed the 1965 American drama “The Sandpiper." The film starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

The storyline follows the complex relationship between a free-spirited artist, Laura Reynolds (Elizabeth Taylor), and a repressed Episcopalian priest, Dr. Edward Hewitt (Richard Burton), who is the headmaster of a boarding school in Monterey, California.

Director Martin Ritt directed the 1965 British spy drama “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." It was based on the 1963 novel of the same name by John le Carré. The film starred Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, and Oskar Werner and featured others.

The storyline depicts British MI6 agent Alec Leamas (Richard Burton) as a faux defector who is given the task of sowing damaging disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer, Jens Fiedler (Oskar Werner). As part of a charade, Leamas is apparently dismissed from the British secret intelligence service and becomes an embittered alcoholic. He also strikes up a relationship with Nan Perry (Claire Bloom), a British communist.

Director Franco Zeffirelli directed the 1967 historical romance comedy “The Taming of the Shrew." It is based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. The film starred Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and others.

The storyline adapts Shakespeare’s comedic play with the headstrong Katherina (Elizabeth Teylor) and the gruff Petruchio (Richard Burton).

Director Tony Palmer directed the 1982 TV miniseries "Wagner." It was based on the life of Richard Wagner with Richard Burton in the title role. The main roles were played by Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Craven, Marthe Keller, Ronald Pickup, and others. The cast also included the composer William Walton and his wife Susan Walton in the roles of the royal couple Frederick Augustus II of Saxony and Maria Anna of Bavaria. The music of Wagner was specially recorded for the film and conducted by Sir Georg Solti.

Director Brian G. Huston directed the 1968 action adventure war drama “Where Eagles Dare." The film starred Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, and Mary Ure.

The storyline is set in WWII and follows a Special Operations Executive team charged with saving a captured American general from the fictional Schloss Adler Fortress.

Director Mike Nichols directed the 1966 American drama “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” It was adapted from the 1962 play of the same name by Edward Albee. The film starred Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, and Sandy Dennis. The film won five Academy Awards – Best Actress Elizabeth Taylor; Best Supporting Actress Sandy Dennis; as well as Best Cinematography, Best Black and White Art Direction, and Best Costume Design.

The storyline revolves around a late-night gathering at the home of college professor George (Richard Burton) and his wife Martha (Elizabeth Taylor).