A favorite in Hollywood for decades. Elizabeth Taylor’s new documentary is sure to interest her legions of fans.
The new HBO documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, delves into the tumultuous and heavily scrutinized life of Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor, offering a fresh perspective through 40 hours of newly unearthed audio interviews. Directed by Nanette Burstein, the film explores Taylor’s experiences and the severe public backlash she faced, particularly surrounding her scandalous affair with Richard Burton.
The relationship between Taylor and Burton began on the set of “Cleopatra” in Rome in 1962, leading to widespread public and media outrage. Taylor, already a tabloid fixture, found herself the target of unprecedented slut-shaming and public shaming. The Vatican newspaper even issued an open letter condemning her actions as “erotic vagrancy,” and she was denounced by figures as prominent as the Pope. Taylor revealed in the interviews that her family opposed her decision to marry Burton, with her own father going so far as to call her a “whore.”
Despite attempts to end their affair, Taylor and Burton’s connection was undeniable. They continued their relationship by signing on to co-star in 1963’s “The V.I.P.s,” further fueling media frenzy and public scrutiny. At the time, Taylor was married to her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, and Burton to Sybil Williams, with whom he had two daughters. This affair followed the controversy of Taylor’s relationship with Fisher, which had begun while he was still married to actress Debbie Reynolds.
Elizabeth Taylor says she ‘never loved’ ex-husband in newly discovered interview: (NEW YORK POST) — A new documentary about Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor covers a lot more than just Liz and Dick.
There’s Liz, Dick, Conrad, Michael, Mike, Eddie,… https://t.co/G2MJ79PPEw pic.twitter.com/4AFSrld1TN
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Director Nanette Burstein expressed surprise at the extent of the intrusion into Taylor’s personal life and the impact it had on her. She discovered through the project that Taylor suffered from significant insecurity, feeling undervalued as an actress and reduced to a mere sex symbol. This theme of disrespect and objectification by the media was something Taylor herself lamented in the audio tapes, frustrated by the repetitive and diminishing focus on her appearance rather than her acting talent.
The documentary also touches on Taylor’s complex personality traits and desires, particularly her attraction to dominating men despite being a strong, influential figure herself. This aspect of her character was crucial in understanding her relationships and personal struggles, which Burstein made sure to emphasize in the film.
Our 2024 @Tribeca slate is here.
HBO Original Documentaries Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, WISE GUY David Chase and The Sopranos, Quad Gods, Slave Play. Not A Movie. A Play., Breath of Fire, and Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes are premiering at this year’s festival. pic.twitter.com/WAHQ2wLc8u
— HBO (@HBO) June 4, 2024
Elizabeth Taylor’s marriage to Burton was marked by intense passion and equally intense challenges, leading to a divorce in 1974, a brief reconciliation and second marriage in 1975, and another divorce less than a year later. Taylor’s life after Burton included more marriages and her evolution into a prominent AIDS activist before her death in 2011 at the age of 79. Burton, battling alcoholism, died in 1984 at age 58.
HBO Documentary ‘Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes’ coming to MAX: https://t.co/RRcu5pxKR6 .@HBO #ElizabethTaylor #documentary #movies #documentaries #TV
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“Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” not only revisits the public controversies of Taylor’s life but also provides a deeper understanding of her as a person, beyond the sensational headlines. It sheds light on her vulnerabilities, her defiance against conventional norms, and her enduring impact both on and off the screen. The documentary is set to premiere on HBO on August 3, offering audiences a nuanced portrait of one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures.
Key Points:
i. HBO’s documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, featuring 40 hours of newly uncovered audio interviews that delve into Elizabeth Taylor’s personal and public life.
ii. The film explores the intense scrutiny and backlash Taylor faced following her affair with Richard Burton, including harsh public and media reactions, and even condemnation from the Vatican.
iii. Despite the controversy, Taylor and Burton’s undeniable connection led them to co-star in the 1963 film “The V.I.P.s” after attempting to end their affair, only to marry and later divorce twice amidst ongoing public interest.
iv. Director Nanette Burstein was struck by Taylor’s expressed insecurities and frustrations with being viewed more as a sex symbol than a respected actress, which she discovered during the making of the film.
v. “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” highlights Taylor’s complex personality and her later life as a leading AIDS activist, painting a fuller picture of her beyond the scandals and movie star persona.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
