Mr Burton
The Film
The award-winning Mr. Burton, released in April 2025, tells the story of Richard Burton's early life in Wales. It focuses on his relationship with his mentor, teacher Philip Burton, played by BAFTA winner Toby Jones, and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith, played by Academy Award nominee Lesley Manville.
The film explores how Philip nurtured young Richard's acting talent, and helped him overcome the challenges of his upbringing in a Welsh mining town.
The film was released in the UK on 04 April 2025.
Development
The project was announced in 2024, with Marc Evans directing, from a script written by Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams. Ed Talfan and Hannah Thomas produced for Severn Screen, with Trevor Matthews producing for Brookstreet Pictures and Josh Hyams producing for Promise Pictures.
The film also has finance from BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in partnership with Creative Wales.
Production
In May 2024, Harry Lawtey was cast as a young Richard Jenkins. Toby Jones was cast as Mr Burton, a school teacher who had a profound effect on the life of a young pupil, Richard Jenkins, who later became known as the actor Richard Burton. Lesley Manville was cast as Mr Burton's landlady, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Aneurin Barnard cast as young Jenkins' sister and brother-in-law.
Principal photography began in 2024 for a 2025 release to mark the centenary of Richard Burton's birth. Filming was completed in August 2024.
Composer John Hardy is the nephew of Robert Hardy, lifelong friend of Richard Burton. The score was recorded by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Wales Millennium Centre in December 2024.
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Cast
• Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton
• Toby Jones as Philip Burton
• Lesley Manville as Ma Smith
• Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Cis
• Steffan Rhodri as Dic Jenkins
• Aneurin Barnard as Elfed