Richard Burton - Look Back In Anger - Movie Trailer

[xXTheSockRockerXx]

I can't help but feel that the working class element is really diminished by Burton's acting style and accent....

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@xXTheSockRockerXx Which means that you have completely missed Osborne's point about the great 50s social experiment of educating the masses to break the class system. Jimmy Porter was educated out of his class so that he no longer fitted in with those who inhabit the area he came from. However he does not fit in with the upper and middle classes with whom not only his intelligence but now his education puts him at the very least on a par with [as personified by Alison's father ].

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince His affair with Helena is not about infidelity. It is about dominating the very snobbery that belittles and ridicules him. Jimmy Porter MUST sound educated. He MUST sound like he belongs to the upper middle classes at least. If he were played by a cockneysomeone rough like Ray Winstone or Sean Bean no one would believe he was educated at all and the entire premise of the script would be undermined.

You have to start looking further.

[xXTheSockRockerXx]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Thank you mate, I'm studying this play at the moment and I needed some elaboration. I thought this might be a good place to get a reaction about Look Back In Anger, and it worked! Thanks for the info and sorry for tricking you into giving it to me ;)

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@xXTheSockRockerXx Not a problem [though next time you might just ask?] The phenomenon of the Angry Young Men was a huge theatre/culture driven movement in the 50s begun at Londons Royal Court Theatre and spearheaded by Osborne and Kingsley Amis [of Lucky Jim fame]. In fact, it may be argued that there are many parallels between that social movement and the one gripping Britain today.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince

If you are indeed studying this work then it is important for you to properly put it into the correct socio-political context, which means that you must read further. If you don't understand the environment that created and shaped Porter, how can you understand the man? It may sound like a bit of a slog, but trust me, it's the difference between an A and a C.

[xXTheSockRockerXx]

@ChocolateFrogPrince I think that would be an interesting study, looking at the parallels between the social context of the new wave and now. Makes me think a little bit of In Yer Face theatre and how that tried to recapture audiences and ask questions. Lets not also forget Taste of Honey...slightly better film version than this one I thought.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@xXTheSockRockerXx A taste of Honey was more a commentary on social moral attitude rather than socio-political class and social engineering, but your point is well taken.

I'm always a little suspicious of modern projects like In Yer Face. Lots of young people get together to be controversial about current ishoos and yoof relevent subjects. As though rebellion is something new and should be government funded.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Osborne Amis et al were writing for their own sake and from a position of education and observation. They carefully thought out all of their points and when they put them across they made perfect sense. Too many modern theatre projects dont do that. Empty vessels making lots of noise paid for by schemes oh-so-desparate to tick all the PC boxes.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Ask yourself this; Which British socio-political dramas written for film, TV or theatre in the last 20 years will be regarded with the same esteem that LBIA is two decades hence?

Rather puts the efforts of all those in schemes like In Yer Face into perspective doesn't it?

[danning1]

@RichardElden Burton was a brilliant actor when he wasn't drunk. Unfortunately, he was drunk a lot during his life.

[RogueRotting360]

@RichardElden Burton had a very different screen presence to Olivier, so I can't see how he 'copied' Olivier. Though I could understand one saying he was an inspiration to Burton.

And unlike you, I have no problem with overacting, or underacting (like in 1984). Only 'ham' acting, and neither of those two were hams. They always had conviction and that a ring of truth.

[rocktenniscat]

This is all about the class system and how it was still entrenched in 1950's/60's England. My Dad left London, UK in 1956. He was brainy, but didn't have the "right accent" nor the money to complete a degree at London University. It was funny how Canadians thought he was "upper class" with his English accent....but it was from the East End! Thank God that's all over now. Michael Caine helped end it....

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@rocktenniscat It's not over at all. Almost the entire ruling class is well to do, privately schooled etc. It's the same with the upper reaches of the financial sector. Look at the last three Prime Ministers, the current mayor of London, etc etc. The barriers may be made of glass now but they are still very much in place. If anything, Osbourne's play has as much relevence today as it ever did.

[rocktenniscat]

@ChocolateFrogPrince - I am so sorry to hear this. Being in Canada, I don't have to face this problem, and it's not so evident when you're just over on a holiday. I guess the Royal Wedding just brings back more bad feelings...as all those old snobs go parading about....

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@rocktenniscat To be fair, the Royals are fairly down to earth. The airs and graces are put on by others who - to be frank - are the ones in charge of pretty much everything. It's no different to anywhere else I shouldn't think. After all what was it that was said about communist USSR? All people are equal, but sime are more equal than others...

[rocktenniscat]

@ChocolateFrogPrince - Hi again! I am actually a big fan of the Royals, we are getting up at 3am on April 29th. I was thinking not so much of the Royals themselves being snobs, I may take some flack here, but I think the Queen is one of the hardest working people anywhere....about to turn 85! Her sense of duty is unequalled, there is genuine affection for her and for her grandsons, who've been through a lot. Who wouldn't be happy for William after all that he's been through? Cheers.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@rocktenniscat The UK on the whole are very pro Queen. Most of the senior Royals work incredibly hard though we still don't quite understand what Prince Edward is for and Andrew's family are... well... similarly viewed. I have no problem with the upcoming wedding at all. Good luck to em. Hopefully William has a happier time of it than his dad and Kate can produce an heir and a spare and get on with her life without any accompanying melodrama.

[watayapupuya]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Americans have no understanding at all of class distinctions.They don't even know what "working class" means.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@watayapupuya I can't really agree with that. It may be less self evident in some ways and is based less on hereditary breeding and more on money but observe the attitudes of the ivy league/wall st crowd to the steel workers union and you'll see the class system is as alive in the US as anywhere else.

It's so bloody obvious Eddie Murphy made a movie about it [Trading Places] and john travolta and harry belafonte turned it on its head in White Man's Burden

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince This was ostensibly about the race issue but the fact remains that one group was well to do and educated and the other poorly educated and clearly blue collar so ti was just as much a parable on the disparity of the class system as anything. to be truly about race both groups would have to be of the same socio economic grouping with one receiving all the advantages and the other not.

[MSGSlayer1]

I saw this on TV, and I still didn't fully understand it until I read about it on the web. Jimmy's feelings just spill all over the place.

[OceanicLoveLetters]

I am amazed by Burton. He did a marvelous job... as did Gary Raymond.

[mockerlancs]

I still don't think a Shakespearean barrow boy works. Burton could have walked from the part of Jimmy Porter to playing the part of 'Sir' in 'The Dresser' without making many changes to the character. Burton was a flamboyant Shakespearean actor and he let his shakespeareanism injure many of his film roles.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@mockerlancs Rubbish! The whole point of Jimmy Porter is that he is a man educated out of his class. Too clever and educated for the working classes from which he came and never accepted by the snobbish upper middle classes whose intellect and education he now shares. The man's entire existence is a protest against those who reject him at every turn and a welcome of those who will always accept him even though he now shares nothing in common.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince The notion of Jimmy Porter as "just a barrow boy" proves only that you have completely failed to grasp not only Burton's performance, but also the very substance of Osborne's writing.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Burton was born for this part. He epitomised Porter in his own life and origins and by the time he got to play the part he was perfect for the man educated to have so many expectations out of life that would ultimately be dashed by social convention that had failed to evolve also.

[JuanMacready]

Burton was far too old to play Jimmuy Porter and overacted like never before.

[sstuddert]

@JuanMacready silly child.

[rockandroll63]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Yes, Richard Burton has this role absolutely nailed. The perfect balance of passionate discourse and simmering rage, all conveyed through his eyes and sneering lips. It's an amazing play on paper too; a fabulous read.

Atrocious trailer though!

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@rockandroll63 Americans didn't ever really do the literary. All fur coat and no knickers.

[mockerlancs]

Burton was very badly cast in 'Look Back In Anger' a Shakespearean barrow boy just does not work, big time! Albert Finney would have been a lot better. Remember 'Saturday Night And Sunday Morning.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@mockerlancs Rubbish! The whole point of the character of Jimmy Porter and of Osborne's work was that an entire generation of people were educated out of their social class. The whole ethos of The Angry Young Man was that he was too educated to fit in with his class of origin but deemed too socially "deficient" in the eyes of the upper and upper middle classes to be accepted by them.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@ChocolateFrogPrince Porter's driving rage is is fed by the fact that even though he was married to one of them he was still regarded by Alison's family and social group as insufficient and was so made an outcast by all. Even Helena denigrates her friend's clearly inferior husband shortly beforfe she succumbs to his rough charm. Jimmy's affair with Helena is less about her lust for him and more about him dominating the class that denigrates him.

[rockandroll63]

@mockerlancs Whaaaaaaaaat??? Finney would have done a creditable job, but Burton IS Porter.

[JuanMacready]

@rockandroll63 Burton looked at least 15 years too old for the part and overacted more than he usually did. No wonder this movie flopped.

[sstuddert]

@JuanMacready would you just go away? everyone needs to ignore this guy, he's an irrational troll who spends his life trolling on Burton related youtube videos.

[sstuddert]

@mockerlancs you're another one of those Burton Trolls.

[mockerlancs]

@sstuddert I understandeth thee not?

[JuanMacready]

I'm surprised Burton didn't die of lung cancer.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

@JuanMacready accute alcoholism will always getcha first

[xandy1959]

oh and the girl is mary ure who at the time was marrid to john osborne

[xandy1959]

he did look 40

[xandy1959]

burton was 33 but yes

[nickic272]

Villain is his best film

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

I don't know about that.

Nineteen Eighty-Four

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

Who's Affraid of Virginia Woolf

Anne of the Thousand Days

Becket

My Cousin Rachel

The Robe

Equus

To my mind he should have won an Osacar for The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and remains for me the best actor never to have won an academy award.

[PeterFirthFan]

Burton was badly miscast in Villain, Anne of the Thousand Days and Equus.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

I wouldn't agree with that at all.

[PeterFirthFan]

He was too small to be believable as Henry VIII and wasn't at all regal. Burton himself was amazed to be nominated for The Robe (a film he hated) and Anne of the Thousand Days.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

As a character he was more than large enough to play Henry. Whether he hated the films or not is entirely beside the point. He wasn't nominated because he loved them. He was nominated because he was demonstrably one of the best actors of the year.

I never really liked Burton on film. He was a stage actor first & foremost & everything he did was far too big for the lens. In this way he was the opposite of Olivier who was primarily an actor of small tricks which the lens picked up perfectly.

[WelshDragonJas2]

For someone who loathes Burton so much this guy certainly spends ALOT of time searching out his videos on yourtube

[nickic272]

Burtons a great actor but hes better in villian

[PeterFirthFan]

Villain was his worst ever film.

[PeterFirthFan]

Burton was FAR too old for the part and overacted. His accent was all wrong for the part.

[nonnacekim89]

I totally agree. Jimmy is 25 and lower class, and yet Richard Burton plays him with an upper class dialect, and is what, 40 here?

[PeterFirthFan]

He was 33 but looked early forties.

[markpolandski]

he is actually an intelligent young man he went to university, its says it in the script.

[JuanMacready]

Yeah but he was supposed to be from a working class background.

[diamonddog13]

This isn't quite as good as "Look Back in a Bloody Rage" with Dave Thomas.

[AAAMANDA]

i watched this movie for the first time today,I cant stop thinking about it. Gary Raymond,was so good looking,and also a great actor.I cant wait to see more movies that he is in.

[missbabyice]

He does look as if he's about to murder her...

I think I prefer Kenneth Branagh as Jimmy.

The irony is that Cliff is supposed to be Welsh and Jimmy teases him about it in the play...ha ha.

[Alfrunk]

Burton seems like an overactor.

[PeterFirthFan]

He always overacted in everything.

[RogueRotting360]

@Alfrunk Yes, he could be a brilliant 'overactor', in the long tradition of Welles, Cagney, Olivier etc... But he was never a ham. That is, his larger than life screen-acting always had a conviction, and truth to it. Never false.

Burton also knew the power of silence, restraint and vulnerability. He could tell a whole tale with one look.

Sadly, alcohol got the better of him, limiting his range. He became a caricature of his former self.

'Overacting' isn't a bad thing. Nor is underacting.

[rc12069]

Why isn't this film grouped with the classics of British cinema? Even the BFI website was fairly hostile towards it. One of the most overlooked and underrated movies of all time imo

[JohnRogersly]

Because Burton was badly miscast.

[rc12069]

He may be a little too old for the role but even so he gives a powerful performance. I wish people could look past this and concentrate on the merits of this film

[JohnRogersly]

It wasn't just that he was too old, he was also too obviously capable.

[JohnRogersly]

Burton was far too OLD.

[missbabyice]

Not bad looking though ;)

[iancampbell2000]

What a film. The first time i saw it was by chance on late night tv, it freaked me out, very powerful, so well written and burton..wow

[missbabyice]

'If you can't stand the thought of messing up your perfect soul, you'd better become a saint because you'll never make it as a human being'

I LOVE THAT LINE!

[missbabyice]

Please upload whole film

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

Don't be silly.

[missbabyice]

Sorry- it's just that it's not on region 2 dvd

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

I appreciate that, but you are asking - on an international broadcast site - for someone to break international copyright and piracy laws. Does that no strike you as just a wee bit silly?

Why not get a multi region player or just software for your pc which will allow you to play any region's discs on that? That way everyone is happy.

[missbabyice]

I want to get a player that plays all regions but I'd have to buy a new one.

Don't worry, I'll search for it somewhere else. Hopefully it will get released on region 2 soon.

[maximillianmaven]

Just get up to date WMP which is free and appropriate mpeg codecs, or download a compy of VLC player = another bit of freeware which will play pretty much everything. Google and you'll find it. Then you can watch what you like on your PC

[missbabyice]

What a hilariously OTT trailer! Seems a good film :)

[v1m]

Great movie, great play, and yes, this trailer is a lobotomy.

No doubt this hamfisted wonder was the distributor's dire shot at selling English social rebellion to an American post-war population that saw no reason to be angry in its Chevrolets. How, after all, do you sell the Angries to the Goofies?

[tamclutcher]

"No reason to be angry"? Have you heard of the Beat Generation?

[noahf67]

I always thought the wife was way hotter than her friend. But, things were pretty

complicated...

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

They were about alot more than who Jimmy considered "hot", that's for sure.

[noahf67]

Could anyone be tolerant of Jimmy's constant

screaming & carrying on? The whole lot of them belonged in Family Group.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

Though it's true he is a petulant and arrogant fellow, Jimmy's anger isn't solely a product of his own shortcomings, but more the disenfranchisement he feels at being at the mercy of the social engineering project that spawned him.This is primarily why he lashes out at Alison, his wife, whose class he has been educated into but doesn't wholly fit. Look back in Anger is first and foremost about the human repercussions - for this Angry Young Man - of the class struggle.

[fatboydim12]

Burton was an awesome narrator

[thestudiio]

one of the best performances in film history. The moment I saw it I was so completely blown away I rushed to the DVD store and bought the DVD. Its a keeper .... as well written and well acted a film as ever you'll see. Burton has no equal. None.

[catrod24]

I own this movie, it's good.

[ooffmincom]

would you tell me plz from where did you get it? (the website name)

I have to act it for the 2nd midterm and I wanna see how it is done.

[catrod24]

sorry, I got it at a video store in 1993.

[candymintz]

John Osbourne, a most brilliant writer.

twiggy . c

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

Sadly, the follow up to Look Back om Amger was quite dire and a theatrical failure.