Richard Trevor-Williamas Canada
Yes, I’d say that I am a Richard Burton fanEach and every year on August the 5th an old friend and I would go out on the town to drink, carouse and pay some small tribute to the man. In suits and ties we would eat and drink in the finest restaurants and bars of Toronto. We had been doing so on that date since the very day Dickey Bach passed away in 1984. Our both being actors had something to do with it, I think. That and the fact that I am myself Welsh. In 2005 my old friend passed away and I have had the sad duty of conducting myself through what had come to be! known as Burton Day alone. This year I will have company once more, and if any one else cares to join me in the bar of Hy’s restaurant, at 120 Adelaide St. W.,Toronto on August 5th, say around 6:00 pm, for Burton Day 24, we would be glad to welcome you. If not this year then perhaps the next, as in any case I myself will be there on the date each and every year for the foreseeable future.
Tue Aug 5 10:23:16 2008

Katinka Broersen, London
Hi Brian, I think you might be thinking of Richard Harris who did something along these lines following his success with MacArthur Park - I don't know the details, sorry. The only comparable thing Burton did was 'The Desiderata', which he recorded in 1978 but not with any musical accompaniment. It appears on his Personal Anthology LP, which occasionally shows up on e-bay.
Wed Apr 16 09:52:21 2008

Brian Shelley
I am looking for reading by Richard Burton of a passage relating to changing your life by changing your thoughts. It was set to music and was really inspiring! This was in the late sixties/early seventies but I no longer remember the words or the music. Is there anyone out there who might be aware of this piece and whether it might still be available? I would be extremely grateful if anyone could help with this query! This was long before "The Secret"!
Fri Feb 29 09:44:26 2008

Katinka Broersen, London
Hi Benny, this recording is often offered on e-bay, either as a cassette or LP - no one has thought to put it on CD yet apparently. It is absolutely brilliant, and I certainly recommend trying to get hold of a copy. He would have been 82 today, and what a splendid 82-year-old he would have been, no doubt! There has never been anyone like him.
Wed Nov 14 12:16:44 2007

Benny Mays
I am looking for "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" reading by Mr. Burton. Is it included on Under Milk Wood? Is there a source for it? Thanks
Thu Nov 8 10:03:22 2007

Aubrey Wakeling
I am trying to get hold of a bbc documentary on Burton called in from the cold-- circa 1980s.Does anyone know if it is available.
Fri Oct 5 09:20:37 2007

Eve Galewitz
To Glenys in Australia: Richard Burton married Elizabeth Taylor for the 2nd time (summer 1975) in private ceremony in Chobe Game Park, Botswana. The following winter (1976)Burton decamped to New York to appear in Equus on Bdwy and requested a divorce from Taylor. (per "Rich" biography of R. Burton by Melvyn Bragg).
Fri Jul 6 13:29:09 2007

Dave Griffiths
The most charismatic actor of his time, or any time. Although brief, Burton's performance in 'The Longest Day' springs to mind. 'Spy' may well be his best, but 'Look Back in Anger', 'Becket', 'Desert Rats', even 'Wild Geese' were all fantastic along side many others.
Tue May 22 14:53:57 2007

Gerry McArdle, Dublin, Ireland.
I think it's most unfair to say that Richard Burton is most famous for Antony in 'Cleopatra', a tiresome, overblown affair. What about 'Look Back in Anger', 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf', possibly the best thing he ever did with Taylor, and, in later times, 'Equus'?
Wed Apr 18 17:00:35 2007

Meinir Jones Chwilog N.Wales
We have just visited Burton's grave at Celigny, a very peaceful spot and so apt that he is buried feet away from Alastair Maclean the author of Where Eagles Dare.
Mon Jan 22 09:29:22 2007

Ken Fraser, Australia
I am trying to find a quote from Richard Burton I saw in a biographical documentary about him. In his house in Britain he says something like, "the most beautiful piece of poetry in the English language is the declension of the verb to be: I am, you are, we are" etc. I would love to have the full, exact quote if anyone knows it. It is indeed beautiful, the way he says it.
Mon Dec 4 11:36:02 2006

Tony Loret de Mola USA
Dear Katinka, Thank you so much for your prompt response and information! I am going to look up those recordings. Again thank you! Tony
Thu Oct 26 16:52:11 2006

Katinka Broersen, London
Hi Tony, Some of Richard's spoken word recordings are available on amazon (Under Milk Wood, Love Poems of John Donne, and Richard Burton Reads Dylan Thomas). If you go to e-bay and do a search for Richard Burton, various recordings regularly come up, including his Shakespeare recordings (all absolutely wonderful and well worth tracking down!), Doctor Faustus, Thomas Hardy and Wilfred Owed poetry and the totally wonderful 'A Personal Anthology'. The 'Burton at the BBC' collection is also well worth getting hold of -- it contains radio plays, interviews and poetry readings, and is a brilliant introduction to Richard's recordings. Good luck!
Mon Oct 23 10:04:51 2006

Tony Loret de Mola
A great fan of Richard Burton. I think he was one of the truly great actors of the 20th century with perhaps the greatest speaking voice I've ever heard. I thought his King Arthur was as good a role as any actor could play on stage or screen. I have been looking for any spoken word recordings of Mr. Burton's. Would you be able to direct me?
Wed Oct 18 14:09:28 2006

Joyce Barry, Wamberal, Australia
As a London schoolgirl I was evacuated to Wales during the London blitz. Three of my six sons born here in Australia wanted to see where I stayed in a small town called Ammanford in South Wales, so we visited there in May this year. The kind gentleman, Malcolm, allowed me into the house, where I had once stayed with a lady long gone. My son Dominic wanted to visit Richard Burton's town. It was a cold and rainy day, but we found solace in the small pub Richard Burton used to frequent, and one in which his sister holds court every night, we were told. The pub is full of photographs of Richard, and one could almost feel him there as we had a pub lunch and a couple of beers in his honour. There were few people in the bar that day, but we all laughed and enjoyed our few hours there talking of Richard and meeting the 'characters' who were regulars. I still enjoy the old record of Under Milk wood, and still thrill to the warmth of his voice.
Mon Oct 9 09:15:10 2006

Katinka Broersen, London
Hi Madeline -- I think you must be thinking of 'Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years', which was screened in 1960/61. I haven't been able to find any recording of it anywhere, so if anyone else knows about this, please pass it on!
Fri Sep 22 08:48:16 2006

Madeline Boyle Arizona
Could you please give me the titles of Burton's readings of Winston Churchill's speeches? Thanks very much. Madeline Boyle.
Mon Sep 18 09:22:30 2006

madeline boyle arizona
Could anyone please give me the titles of Burton's readings of Winston Churchill's speeches? Thanks very much. Madeline Boyle
Fri Sep 15 09:48:25 2006

david davies-morris california
it is sad that one who was so wonderfully talented should be mainly remembered as the person who married miss taylor twice. richard was a man who appriciated wonderfull food ,tremendous beverages , and best of all Wales and wonderfull women which is why he married the best twice. and as a performer he is with out doubt the best ever .
Fri Jul 28 09:23:14 2006

Katinka Broersen
Burton remains for me the greatest actor and greatest narrator of all time. For people looking for his poetry recordings, check e-bay: they regularly show up. I would recommend Personal Anthology, his reading of Thomas Hardy poems and the Dylan Thomas readings as the very best. His recordings of John Donne are available on CD via amazon.co.uk, as is his recording (with full cast) of Under Milkwood. For those interested in seeing where this unique man came from, I can recommend a visit to the lovely village of Pontrhydyfen in South Wales, and a stay at the Oakridge Guest House in that village. It's unbelievable that he has been gone 22 years: the world is a duller place without him.
Wed Jul 26 15:01:38 2006

Hannah Martens
where can I get any audio files with is great voice?
Mon Jun 26 09:01:21 2006

John Anderson
Richard Burton is easily the most eloquent actor of all time ... even Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan et al. will admit that. His work in Look Back in Anger, Spy who came in from the Cold, Where Eagles Dare and Virginia Woolfe are easily among the greatest of all time. Because he was also the highest paid actor of his time, the Academy refused to honor him but should give him a post humous Oscar which Dame Liz Taylor could receive ..would drive the Oscar ratings sky high. I am of the internet generation and yet have his films on DVD!!! Hope he's in heaven... reading to the Angels with that voice of his ...
Tue Jun 6 08:56:37 2006

Glenys Hurley, Australia
Can anyone please tell me in which country Richard Burton remarried Elizabeth Taylor?
Tue Feb 21 12:55:08 2006

Tom from London
I grew up watching 'Where Eagles Dare' at least once a week. "Gentlemen, see you after the war... Broadsword calling Danny Boy... Second-rate punk... It was riddled with machine gun holes - British machine gun holes - but what the hell, a hole is a hole is a hole, as they say..." It doesn't get any better than that.
Sun Feb 5 00:58:45 2006

Tristan
Many of Richard Burton's recordings can be found online at amazon, you can also sometimes find them on ebay or at second hand bookstores/record shops. I found a record of him reading Wilfred Owens poetry in a second hand shop. That documentary, "In from the cold," I can't find anywhere but it was nice to know that somebody else remembers it too so our chances might increase for finding it, I will let you know if I come across it in my searching.
Wed Dec 28 20:20:54 2005

Jean from Skewen now in California
He was and always will be one of my favorite actors. I was very surprised to learn when my great aunt Florie past away, a newspaper account of her death mentioned the fact that as mid-wife one of her many deliveries included Richard Jenkins. She spent her life delivering babies in Pontrhydyfen and other villages in the Valley.
Mon Oct 3 06:28:58 2005

Vickers
I teach speech at ERAU and have all of my students do a dramatic reading during the term. I'd like to have them see a video of Burton doing a dramatic reading. I saw him read a phone book on some US show many years ago...a demo of how one can put drama into something as mundane as that. Any suggestions as to where I can obtain a copy of this reading or of something you'd suggest?
Mon Sep 12 20:34:25 2005

Chris Phillips, London
Top Man, he became a superstar but still managed to keep that every man feel. You just know that if you met him down the pub he would have talked to you.
Thu May 19 13:20:59 2005

Edna Himmler - Allentown, USA
I have been trying for months to purchase any tapes or recordings of Richard Burton. I am interested in Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood and A Personal Anthology in which Burton recites 27 poems by various poets. Would anyone be able to help me? Thank you.
Tue Mar 29 13:58:38 2005

Peter Lakin, Cymmer (near Pontrhydyfen)
Just a pedantic comment on the "notes" at the top of this page.... the fictitious village in Under Milk Wood was not "Llangerrub" but it was "Llareggub" - Dylan Thomas's humour coming to the fore, because spelt the correct way you then have to read the name backwards, and it says "Bugger all" !!!!! On Richard Burton, what can one say - such a rich brown voice, such immaculate delivery - it's still possible to download Burton's readings of "Under Milk Wood" from peer sites on the net.
Thu Mar 24 00:31:49 2005

Cynthia Davies Cardiff
Talented, very famous, but remained down to earth. Never forgot his family and his roots wherever he was in the world.
Tue Mar 8 21:47:16 2005

John Ridd USA (ex Mumbles)
A great actor and a man among men, we shall not see his like again.
Wed Feb 23 01:22:44 2005

Denise Wilden, Maidenhead, UK
Richard Burton had/has a voice that I could just fall into. He could have read the ingredients on a cornflake packet and it would have sounded absolutely wonderful. There are not many actors who have a real voice, but he has one of them. I adore Cleopatra and Where Eagles Dare is one of my all time favourites. He was the first Alexander and is a million times better than Colin Farrell. He should be recognised not just by Wales and the Welsh but by the world for the great talent he possessed. We need an annual Richard Burton day or something like that.
Mon Feb 21 15:28:43 2005

Ed Coxey from Surf City, NJ USA
About 20 years ago there was an excellent TV documentary about Burton titled "In from the Cold." Would love to get a copy. Is it available?
Mon Feb 21 15:01:39 2005

Ian Jones from West Yorkshire
Richard led a fast life and loved fast cars .Has anyone any information about the MG sports car that he drove ? It is mentioned in Anthony Hopkins'Biography and the image of Richard in the car obviously inspired a young Anthony.
Tue Feb 15 11:35:04 2005

Dave, Port Talbot
There will be a photographic exhibition of the life of Richard Burton in the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot running from Wed 23rd February to Wed 9th March. The Theatre has more information on (01639) 763214.
Fri Jan 21 15:41:06 2005

Ieuan Thomas, Morriston Swansea
My early recollections of this great actor was his performance opposite Jean Simmons as the Centurian in "The Robe". I did have the privelege as a child of meeting him on a number of occasions as his sister was a menber of the Church where my father was the Minister who incidentaly officiated at his first marriage.

To me it was that unique resonance of his voice,his diction and deliverence of the spoken word with great clarity and meaning,his portrayal and believable characterization, that set him amoungst the very greatest of actors of all time.

It was accidental and ironic that my son Dewi, as a young child was selected to act Richard in his biographical "Christmas Story" when I again was privileged to meet his family and his widow Sally Burton. Surely, he must stand along side the greatest sons and daughters of Wales.
Tue Jan 4 00:43:40 2005

Federico Barilá from Argenina
I wanted information about the family of Richard Burton. My family said to me that the father of Richard Burton was from the family of Aaron Jenkins. How can I know who was his family?
Tue Dec 21 16:53:57 2004

Kaye - Newport
Isn't it about time that Richard Burton had some kind of recognition for being a superb actor, we have a wonder statue of Gareth Edwards, who may only be known in certain quarters, but Richard Burton was known world-wide. He should have some kind of post humous award or statue or something, any ideas?
Tue Dec 14 16:16:05 2004

Stan Donaghy Long Whatton Leics
I must have listened to Richard Burton reading Under Milkwood a hundred times. What a magnificent voice he has and his interpretation of Thomas's masterpiece are a work of art. Where can I obtain the cd?
Tue Dec 7 21:18:35 2004

Chedly Mahfoudh from Deddington
I have a recording (the only one)of Richard Burton reading John Dunn:The good morrow, most beautiful poem read so so beautifully: Ilove it,what a voice. Where can I obtain recordings of Richard Burtons' readings of Dylan Thomas,John Dunn & others?
Mon Nov 22 23:06:55 2004

Richard P. Baker from Santa Barbara, California US
I remember reading about Richard Burton's epitaph but don't see any inscriptions on the photo of his headstone. As I recall it said something about judging a man by the straightness of the fence he's built (attributed to a Welsh saying?). Would someone please set my memory straight.
Tue Oct 5 05:18:33 2004

Bill Giesin from Louisville, Kentucky
In my opinion Richard Burton was one of the greatest actors of all time. Unfortuantely, the disease of alcholism tarnished his stardom. The fact that he never received an Academy Award for his many fine performance is the Academy Awards unfortunate oversight as well as unforgiveable loss. He was at the top of his game in "Who Is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Taming of the Shrew".
Sat Oct 2 03:31:58 2004

Rosina Rowland
I have always admired Richard Burton. I would be most interested in obtaining any of his recordings,especially Under Milk Wood. Even though I live in California ,I have my family in Wales and will always be a "Taffy".
Tue Aug 17 00:33:10 2004

mark from swansea
Burtons's two greatest performances are firstly 'Where eagles dare' - a great action adventure film. I also enjoyed 'Night of the Iguana'. Burton even managed to mention Tonmawr in the script.
Sat Aug 14 19:19:09 2004

Andrew Martin from London
Broadsword calling Danny-Boy! There was no other before or since like him. I would love the Churchill speech recording info as well if possible. I also heard that he had made a recording of Samuel Pepys Diaries which would also be of interest. When is the exhibition coming near London?
Fri Aug 13 13:46:18 2004

Ian Mattey, Augsburg, Germany
Richard Burton was great in "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold". His performance was well worth an Oscar, which he unfortunately did not receive. Also his portrayal of Wagner in a TV film was acclaimed here in Germany.
Tue Aug 10 07:21:45 2004

Jo from Swansea
Go and see the Richard Burton exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea - it's there for a few months to commemorate the anniversary of his death and explore his connections with Dylan.
Thu Aug 5 16:13:08 2004

Sheena Fisher from Milford Haven
I love Richard Burton narrating Dylan Thomas' Under Milkwood also his on screen presence could not be beaten with those eyes, looks and of course that voice.He was perfect as Mark Anthony in Cleopatra.
Thu Aug 5 10:40:30 2004

Fred Williamson
I understand Richard Burton made a recording of Winston Churchill's speeches. I would like to know if it is possible to get a tape or CD of the recordings?
Wed Aug 4 12:53:55 2004

Nancy
What a great love story he and Elizabeth Taylor wrote. He had such beautiful eyes and a very expressive voice and such a great talent. It is so sad that he fell victim to the disease of alcholism. I am an American with Welsh descendants and for this I am proud and visited South Wales where my gran and great grandparents were born and raised. I will return again and again. Please Wales ... give us another Burton soon ...
Wed Aug 4 12:53:33 2004

Beryl from Port Talbot
Why does someone in Port Talbot not have the intiative to start a Richard Burton Festival here? We have the facilities. Dylan had become almost an industry in Swansea. Bringing with it added economical and tourist contributions to the town.
Wed Aug 4 12:53:07 2004

Marion and John Dunn
We see from your Richard Burton site that Fred Williams is interested in an audio recording of Richard Burton reading Winston Churchill's speeches. We too would be interested in such a reading. Also I am trying to obtain a recording by Richard Burton as Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, which I believe was made at Oxford University in 1967.
Wed Aug 4 12:52:43 2004

Ray
When Richard Burton died I recall hearing a section of his epitaph, which he had written himself. I thought it was beautiful and I would like to read it in it's entirety. Do you know where I can find it?
Wed Aug 4 12:52:14 2004

Dave Gilmore, Ashton Under Lyne
To begin at the beginning... I love Burton's reading of Dylan Thomas. His version of Under Milkwood from 1953 (I think that was the year) is a masterpiece. No one speaks the language of Dylan Thomas better than Richard Burton
Wed Aug 4 12:22:40 2004