Mr Burton – Movie Review

Recently, I watched a preview of the stirring biopic, Mr Burton. It follows the true story of the mentoring relationship between Richie Jenkins, a Welsh coal miner’s son, and his English teacher, Philip Burton. Jenkins goes on to become stage icon Richard Burton, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.

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Richie Jenkins is portrayed brilliantly by Henry Lawtey. He channels the young actor’s baritone voice and inner conflict with authenticy. Toby Jones excels as Philip Burton, his teacher and mentor, who is reserved yet driven. Ma Smith (Lesley Manville) is Philip’s landlady and confidante who’s a grounding presence amongst all of the turmoil.

The movie is set in drab, slagheap grey, smoky Port Talbot in 1942 where Jenkins lives in the back streets. He’s a troubled boy from a fractured home, heading for a life in the mines.

Young Richie is the twelfth of thirteen children, his alcoholic father has disowned his family and his mother is dead. He lives in poverty with his sister and her husband.

Theatre-loving teacher Philip Burton sees beyond the boy’s unruly exterior and spots his raw potential and love of theatre. Philip becomes more than just a mentor – he becomes a guiding force, instilling in Richie a love of language, discipline, and ambition. Richie is adopted by Philip and becomes Richard Burton. He attends Oxford University and becomes a Shakespearean titan.

I lived in South Wales for a while so enjoyed the scenes set in and around Cardiff and the atmospheric period detail. I loved the Shakespeare recitals on top of hills and how Burton developed his ‘mellifluous baritone voice’ by losing his strong Welsh accent.

Director Marc Evans manages to create a sensitive study of this unlikely teacher-student friendship that grows into a deep bond. He thoughtfully explores themes including class mobility, personal sacrifice, and self-denial.

If you are drawn to character-driven rags to riches stories, Mr Burton is for you. It’s a story about reinvention born of necessity, and about the violence of cutting yourself off from where you come from.

I’m giving Mr Burton 8 out of 10.

Cinema release begins August 14, 2025 at Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and the Windsor.

By Jean Hudson

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