Elizabeth Taylor - Sweet Bird of Youth - by Richard Bassett

Dame Elizabeth Taylor was in the midst of her plight against AIDS in early 1989. It was a time when activism was at its most passionate. The FDA was refusing to release drugs for clinical trials and the anger was swelling up around the world. Demonstrations erupted, marches to Washington, D.C. and Elizabeth Taylor was on the forefront... screaming at whoever would listen that more money was needed. Within the next ten years there would be tremendous leaps and bounds surrounding AIDS/HIV medications, clinical trials and social services. Dame Elizabeth had been going through some major changes of her own. Prior to filming the Tennessee Williams classic, "Sweet Bird of Youth" (being released for television), she had just emerged from a second admission from "The Betty Ford Center". She had met Larry Fortensky, 20 years her junior. Her co-star in 'Sweet Bird of Youth' (Mark Harmon) was also a much younger man. At times, art imitates life. But Larry was a gentleman and Mark's character, Lance, was a vain gigolo. And in the year to follow she would be on deaths door once more with a virulent form of pneumonia, causing a massive blood infection. This was a very dramatic time in her life but she could never do a moment's harm to a Tennessee Williams role. She was excellent. It was aired on October 1, 1989 and would be her last major film role, here, in the United States to date. Please remember to donate if you can and keep watching for more material to come.
By Richard Bassett, *2008

xrichbassx@yahoo.com

DONATE NOW - The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation: http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/how-you-can-help

DISCLAIMER: WE MAKE NO CLAIM TO THE COPYRIGHTS OF THE FILM CLIPS, PHOTOGRAPHY OR MUSIC PUBLISHING RIGHTS HEREIN. UNDER SECTION 107 OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1976 "FAIR USE" ALLOWANCE IS MADE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. WE ARE IN NO WAY PROFITING FROM THE USE OF THIS MATERIAL

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[loulou2lou]

Without some dialog it is a good idea but it just doesn't cut it for me,Sorry

[richardbassett1956]

I know, I'm not crazy about it either. Next one will be dialog. Sorry.

[KarinS80]

Another great one! lol at the part where she's flipping through life magazine. She used to be on a lot of those covers back in the 50s and 60s... :D

The theme of the video seem to work really well with her character that is trying to recapture her youth...

Still she looks great for being in her 50s...too bad she didn't do much acting after this. How big was her part in the 2001 movie she did with Debbie Reynolds and Joan Collins by the way?

I suppose that truly is her last movie...

[richardbassett1956]

She was shown only in bed reading scripts for only a few minutes. She looked great. She made it in October 2000 and it was aired (on TV) in February 2001, but she was barely in it. Rich

[lavenusdelmilo1]

Where I can find subtitles for this movie? Thanks =D

[TheFANOFET]

YES- This was a true Elizabeth Taylor role. I loved her complete act, dress, and courage in taking on such a role.

RICHARD YOUR THE BEST-

[DominoPetachi83]

She was beautiful in this movie! It's too bad she didn't make more theatrical films in her later years. She was still sexy and gorgeous

[hripamy]

even she's old now she's still beautiful

[lray1948]

It looks like Liz is fighting the battle of the bulge in this movie. She looks a little bloated, her arms appear chubby, and the clothes are cut to where they appear to be covering up whatever pudginess her figure has. Plus the cameraman choses his angles carefully and rarely shoots her full figure.

[missbabyice]

@Massman250 - She still had the looks and the glamour but it jusn't didn't work here.

[cinnaplid]

That old devil Time. Now Harmon is playing the 'old man' role on his TV show NCIS.

[purplefrf]

Wow, she must have been about 56 here. Looks great!

[judithshappy]

I saw this picture a couple of times...It is actually one of my favorite ET movies....so I guess I do feel it! love the music:-D

[love70000]

lovely clip. I did not see this movie. but I will, thank you Richard.