Richard Burton on mining.

In July 1980, Richard Burton appeared on the Dick Cavett Show. Here, a clip of him discussing the glories of mining in Wales -- in the miners' eyes. It is, improbably, one of the most beautiful monologues on the dignity of labor ever recorded.

For the full show, and Dick Cavett's reflections on it, see here:

http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/...

• Category

  Entertainment

[veegta83]

Amazing interviewer. He lets his guests talk. We have too many "funny" interviewers on tv, especially in the UK.

[Reachwun]

Poor attempt at trolling.

[heloobo]

I completely agree. I feel that interviewers these days are just there to help promote an upcoming album/tv series on behalf of the guest, and they never talk about anything interesting. Look at Jonathan Ross for example, he just butts in on the guest at every chance he gets!

[spsmonktoo]

As proud you should be! When the welsh sing 'Welshmen will not yield" they're

not kiddin!

[JohnDaWhale2]

I would die to chat with him for an hour

[CustoopMoon]

Richard Burton, what an incredibly engrossing man.

[Stuart Pratt]

Its not so much arrogance but intense welsh passion!

[Poppy Higgins]

He always comes across to me as a serious arrogant angry person. No apparent happiness or lightness.

I think hardship and hard work may lead to a lack of humour because of the seriousness of work.

[bella donna]

It's true,miners did think they were the aristocrats among working men,and so they were. My other half's father was a miner as were all his uncles,all proud men and with good reason. As for Richard Burton,what a voice.

[grandslam1998]

Talk tidy butty. What would your man say ? 

[thefrecklepuny]

Such a great story teller. And what a voice! You need never be out of work sounding like him!

[LeaderOfTheRedNinjas]

Look at those eyes, gazing out into a world that has long since gone. I only ever saw Burton in 'where eagles dare' and dismissed him as a charismatic ham, but the way he lives this story and transports us all along... magical.

I know it's ignorant for young people today to complain about working in comfortable conditions, but after watching this you must understand why so many of us are unhappy with the inevitable career in IT, marketing of HR we will settle with