Update for a new generation.
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The singular bonus and difficulty with writing a biography published a few decades after the subjects death is that you have the benefit of a wealth of material to draw on but a problem in trying to present it with a fresh prespective, fortunately Munn has the distinct advantage in that he was actually aquainted with his person he was detailing,
Munn does, however, readily admit that he and Burton were not close friends, more ships that pass in the night, he was an 'extra' on a few of Burton's films while he harboured an ambition to be a director, he first met Richard Burton while he was filming "Anne Of The Thousand Days" and it remains a firm favourite of the author though Burton himself was a little more scathing about the movie, marital problems with Elizabeth Taylor playing more than a small part in his feelings, no doubt!
The book itself is a very good resource for anyone becoming familar or beginning to appreciate the performances of this genuine acting legend who became as famous for his private life as for anything he did on film, much to his eternal annoyance, there is a congenial tone throughout the book and it is a engrossing page turner, the personal anecdotes come from the many personalities who worked and knew the man, being entirely honest and not wishing to insinuate that Mr Munn is not telling the truth, some of these 'anecdotes' are a little difficult to substantiate, though they make excellent reading, a scrap with Frank Sinatra, who later became a close friend, has Burton basically deriding Sinatra's connection with the mafia by stating that he will call up the Welsh version, the 'Tafia', nice story, the only problem is that the organised crime families were never referred to as the mafia until years later but hey it's a good story and perhaps Mr Munn has picked up Burton's knack of spinning a tall tale or two,
This aside, this is a very good book and one I would recommend, I've several books on Richard Burton and while, in my opinion, Melvyn Bragg's "Rich" is still the gold standard, Michael Munn's Prince Of Players happily sits alongside, it beats the family memoirs of the Jenkins brothers and naturally due to additional material tops Penny Junors book as well, it covers his theatre and film work as well as his recording performances into the bargain all in all a very worthwhile purchase and if you like Richard Burton you can't go wrong.
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An actor for all seasons.
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This biography of Richard Burton is written by an author who knew Burton from the early 70s until the end of his life.
The main focus is on Burton's childhood through his early stage career and into his movie making in the 50s & 60s. Much attention is paid to his marriage with Elizabeth Taylor and their/his world celebrity status.
The conclusion of the book covers his work and personal life in the early 70s up to his untimely death in 1984.
I learned a lot about Richard Burton that I did not know reading this work. The author is in awe of Rich ( as his friends called him ) but this does not get in the way of his narrative. The author, also, does not shy away from Burton's destructive alcoholism that eventually cost him his life.
All in all, a good solid bio of the greatest actor never to win an Academy award.
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