Yeti have produced a landmark premium documentary in collaboration with Bright Yellow Films for BBC Wales and BBC Arts. Richard Burton – Wild Genius put a new lens on the miner’s son from Wales who, against the odds, became one of greatest actors of his generation. Tracing his extraordinary journey from poverty and loss to acclaim, fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams, and delving into a tumultuous personal life that would captivate the world – including his affair with co-star Elizabeth Taylor and their two-time marriage – to his chronic addiction to alcohol.
With exclusive access to the Burton family, including interviews with widow Sally Burton and daughter Kate Burton, the production was granted the use of private home movie recordings and photographs some of which are being broadcast for the very first time. Burton’s cousin Rhianon Trowell and niece Sian Owen also share personal anecdotes about growing up with him in the documentary.
The documentary has also gained exclusive rights to Richard Burton’s personal diaries, which will be read by actor Matthew Rhys, alongside insights from Michael Sheen, Iwan Rheon, Sian Phillips and former co-stars Gabriel Byrne and Claire Bloom.
