Based on RICHARD BURTON'S remarkable story, discover how the poor son of a miner became one of the greatest actors the world has ever known, with the help of an unlikely mentor.
In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (Jones). Taking Richard under his wing, the young man thrives under Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Manville). However, as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.