Without a doubt this is the Best comment I have ever read and Richard Burton is the best guest he ever had if you have a problem with the Demon Drink. Thanks
@@tonyliston2311 As a child of a Welsh alcoholic, with a Welsh alcoholic English teacher who has turned to drink to deal with issues - have to agree. I may not have been pre-destined - but my mother was an Irish alcoholic - so in my defence... >_
Cavett brought the best out of his guest. He was always so well prepared and he possessed encyclopedic knowledge about so many topics and his interviewing style just naturally put his guest at ease.
During the infamous "How many fingers am I holding up?" scene, he had the shakes from alcohol so bad that they needed someone else's hand for that scene.
@MrLavajet I'm talking about his whole menacing calm throughout....he's terrifying and coolly brutal.... That's a classic scene for sure...and yes, Richard sure did LOVE the sauce. I'm 55 and still have brown hair. He died younger than I am now.
Richard is 54 years old here. Remembering that he's made up heavily for the tv you can still see the effect of decades of drinking. He always had a slightly haunted quality in those eyes but he looks like he's been through it in those recent years and it's taken its toll on him. He died only 4 years after this was recorded.
Interviewers and interviewees like this seem rare these days. I suspect the former is the most important part. Compare him or Parkinson to someone like Piers Morgan, who prefers the sound of his own voice to those he interviews, and the difference is astonishing. I rewatch these old interviews so much, because so much more is said about them and the human condition.
Dick Cavett was good at asking interesting people interesting questions. But Dick was great at getting interesting people to dig deeper inside themselves as they sat beside him. Maybe it was his bedside manner? Not sure… but I miss the Dick Cavett show almost as much as I miss living in an America that valued the Dick Cavett show.
I will say that once you stop drinking, it's just life without drinking. The cravings and urges get weaker the desire fainter and life fills that void with generally speaking other interests ranging from the beneficial and uplifting to the vain and outrageous. Life is and being alive is an incredible experience. Celebrate yourself and all the love and goodness you are capable of giving. If you do drink do not drive even though it's really fun to do so ❤
Totally agree with both the gentlemen on screen. German is a beautiful spoken language and when Richard started 'To be or not to be' - well perfection!! Swoonworthy indeed! 😍
Richard Burton was considered to be the natural successor to Laurence Olivier but his perceived failure to live up to those expectations disappointed some critics and colleagues; his heavy drinking added to his image as a great performer who had wasted his talent.
From 4:20 on, Burton gives what any actor would call a soliloquy. But in Burtons case, it wasn't from a script, it was spontaneous and off-the-cuff, only speaking to his elegance and intelligence. It sounded like he was speaking as though from a play. Cavett has the wisdom and skill to just allow him to talk uninterrupted.
Cavett misunderstands the anecdote about Ferdinand. Ferdinand the Bull is a children's story about a gentle, even effeminate bull. "Synopsis. In a countryside residing in Spain, a number of young bulls romp and play, butting their heads with each other. All except Ferdinand, who takes more delight in sitting under a tree and smelling the flowers. His mother tries to get him to reconsider, but Ferdinand continues to go about smelling the flowers."
Yes, Susan did help save his life. ET, who was a bigger boozer than Richard, was the exact opposite: when they were still married, there were times when he stopped drinking, but she insisted that he join her for cocktails because, as she said, "Oh, Richard, have a drink; you're such a bore when you're sober." Or: "You know I don't like drinking alone."
The boxing analogy? Not for me. It's more like being stalked by a beast that looms up on you whenever you stop to look around for even a moment. Insidious
Agree. Was surprised to hear laughter as he was discussing alcoholism. He addressed it well by saying it is not a laughing matter soon after some laughter began. Perhaps at that time society wasn't as open to discussing these things, and it was in fact nervous laughter.
It wasn't that many people laughing. I would presume that out of an entire studio audience, at least that many people are active alcoholics. Perhaps they were laughing as recognition or fear. 🤷
He doesn’t look well here four years before his death. He looks quite depressed. Contrast this interview with his Parkinson interview only 6 years before.
Not really. Listen to Carwen James, the 71 Lions coach speak or Philip Madock ( Ruth Madock's ex husband). These are more natural authentic sounding Welsh voices and sound elegant. Not all Welsh people sound as terrible as the English would have us beleive. Burton's voice is 95% fabricated, although it still sounds authentic, if that makes sense? Where as someone like Roger Moore's voice sounds false, almost cartoonishly posh.
RB appears rather tentative ,gaunt and unsure of himself here. Sure hope he’s not intimidated by the D . Not sure how old he was here ,he passed at 58 . Seems he covered a lot of ground in his years…..he did .
It’s difficult to understand why people drink alcohol as a non-alcohol drinker. I like fruit tea and ice water. I am not against alcohol but I never buy it.
As a drinker who has quit, this interview is really uplifting to me. Thanks Richard
I could listen to this man speak all day, he holds my attention, still fascinates me
What a legend Richard Burton is
His speech to Sinatra and his reciting of "do not go gently in to that good night" are two of my favourite off stage/film things of Burton.
I’m curious . What has brought your attention to Burton , and if I may what is your age?
Dick Cavett is one of the greats, along with Richard Burton, thank you for this gem💫
Imagine a modern US talk show host just listening and giving the guest space, rather than just going through a script.
Without a doubt this is the Best comment I have ever read and Richard Burton is the best guest he ever had if you have a problem with the Demon Drink. Thanks
Unimaginable. The decline in cultural life since is pitiful and depressing. Thank God we can come here to witness the giants.
@@tonyliston2311 As a child of a Welsh alcoholic, with a Welsh alcoholic English teacher who has turned to drink to deal with issues - have to agree. I may not have been pre-destined - but my mother was an Irish alcoholic - so in my defence... >_
Dick Cavett: the most complete enabeler for his guests.
Cavett brought the best out of his guest. He was always so well prepared and he possessed encyclopedic knowledge about so many topics and his interviewing style just naturally put his guest at ease.
It seemed so easy though, you know? He didn't seem prepared. Cavett's interviews should be treasured.
4:20-7:30 is such a personal definition on alcoholism
His portrayal of O'Brian in 1984 was stunning in his calm sadistic affect.A genius.
During the infamous "How many fingers am I holding up?" scene, he had the shakes from alcohol so bad that they needed someone else's hand for that scene.
@MrLavajet I'm talking about his whole menacing calm throughout....he's terrifying and coolly brutal....
That's a classic scene for sure...and yes, Richard sure did LOVE the sauce.
I'm 55 and still have brown hair.
He died younger than I am now.
@MrLavajet great scene and I didn't know that. I thought he was sober by then. He died before the film came out .
He is so talented, handsome and elegant.
What a speech.He could humble a king and ascend a beggar.
I noticed that Burton is not smoking. In older interviews he chain smokes. Fascinating man and great actor.
Why don't you concentrate on yourself and stop talking bs on TH-cam
He could read the instruction manual to a dvd player and make it sound great. He has this tough look but also a fragility about himself too.
This ambivalence is typical scorpio. He was really fascinating and a great actor.
This interview was from July 1980.
THANK YOU.... !! I was wondering when this was. Appreciate it.
Richard was beautiful ❤
The fantastic eloquent honest Richard Burton ❤
The dignity and the heartfelt remarks about going over the edge brought tears to my eyes.
Richard is 54 years old here. Remembering that he's made up heavily for the tv you can still see the effect of decades of drinking. He always had a slightly haunted quality in those eyes but he looks like he's been through it in those recent years and it's taken its toll on him. He died only 4 years after this was recorded.
He had an operation at one point and they had to scrape alcohol from his spine.
he was on a minimum of 1 bottle of vodka a day. At his height, he was on 3 bottles of vodka a day.
Burton's monologue in Jeff Wayne's 'War of the Worlds' is something else entirely. His voice was, his presence was quite unique.
Beautiful man!
Wow! What a remarkable man. ❤
I think he was at his most interesting and sympathetic here.
What an elequent speaker he was
Interviewers and interviewees like this seem rare these days. I suspect the former is the most important part. Compare him or Parkinson to someone like Piers Morgan, who prefers the sound of his own voice to those he interviews, and the difference is astonishing. I rewatch these old interviews so much, because so much more is said about them and the human condition.
You are quite right-older interviewers were more willing to listen to their guests and allow them to speak at length.
But modern guests also have very little to say. They simply don't have the depth of life experience that people of Burton's time did.
R.I.P. Mr Burton.
Why they don't do interviews like this anymore. We are living in cheap boring times
Dick Cavett was good at asking interesting people interesting questions. But Dick was great at getting interesting people to dig deeper inside themselves as they sat beside him. Maybe it was his bedside manner?
Not sure… but I miss the Dick Cavett show almost as much as I miss living in an America that valued the Dick Cavett show.
You are so right-we need a Dick Cavett now,when we are living through such troubled times.
I just ordered the book Talk Show by Cavett and I’m looking forward to reading it with Cavett’s voice in my head.
Take it easy
Cavett is the best. Burton knew the trouble he was in and continued. Sometimes I think none of us have brakes on our lives.
I will say that once you stop drinking, it's just life without drinking. The cravings and urges get weaker the desire fainter and life fills that void with generally speaking other interests ranging from the beneficial and uplifting to the vain and outrageous. Life is and being alive is an incredible experience. Celebrate yourself and all the love and goodness you are capable of giving. If you do drink do not drive even though it's really fun to do so ❤
If you want to hear one of the greatest orators of all time, listen to Burton's opening monologue from Under Milk Wood. INCREDIBLE.
This magnificent actor should have been knighted and received an Oscar
Totally agree with both the gentlemen on screen. German is a beautiful spoken language and when Richard started 'To be or not to be' - well perfection!! Swoonworthy indeed! 😍
Yes,to hear that famous soliloquy in German is wonderful.
Superb!
His knowledge and understanding of alcoholism is beyond reproach because he's highly intelligent.
So glad to have noticed when i was in to deep with the bottle , a year sober now.
Richard Burton was considered to be the natural successor to Laurence Olivier but his perceived failure to live up to those expectations disappointed some critics and colleagues; his heavy drinking added to his image as a great performer who had wasted his talent.
A perfect gentleman
Deeply sensitive man Richard ...eyes 👀 say
Please can you add the dates of the original broadcasts on these summaries? Thanks much.
I'm Welsh and from the valleys and I think Richard sounded more Scottish than Welsh in his impression of what he would have sounded like
You lose your native accent eventualy.
Its hard to get it back, you have to relearn it usually
From 4:20 on, Burton gives what any actor would call a soliloquy. But in Burtons case, it wasn't from a script, it was spontaneous and off-the-cuff, only speaking to his elegance and intelligence. It sounded like he was speaking as though from a play. Cavett has the wisdom and skill to just allow him to talk uninterrupted.
Cavett misunderstands the anecdote about Ferdinand. Ferdinand the Bull is a children's story about a gentle, even effeminate bull. "Synopsis. In a countryside residing in Spain, a number of young bulls romp and play, butting their heads with each other. All except Ferdinand, who takes more delight in sitting under a tree and smelling the flowers. His mother tries to get him to reconsider, but Ferdinand continues to go about smelling the flowers."
Great info, i didnt know that
3:34 was not expecting that, thought he was going to do it in english but with a german accent
Seemed to do fine on Cleopatra!
German is a beautiful language
agreed
Quite true.
Yes, Susan did help save his life. ET, who was a bigger boozer than Richard, was the exact opposite: when they were still married, there were times when he stopped drinking, but she insisted that he join her for cocktails because, as she said, "Oh, Richard, have a drink; you're such a bore when you're sober." Or: "You know I don't like drinking alone."
Our greatest actor what a tradgic loss
3:10 Burton does Shrekspeare!!!
He never really master his need for alcohol had this not been the case we could have him for a few more years 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🏴🏴🏴
Whisky ad at the break wtf!! 😂
Imagine looking like Elvis from 1958 and sounding like Burton when he played Hamlet in 1964.
New York audiences adored Richard. Hollywood, on the other hand, was vicious and cruel.
800th like!!!!
❤❤❤❤
People laugh at the most inappropriate time.
I suppose because they hope it doesn't happen to them nervousness
They do not understand.
Can't be touched? Is that what Liz said?
The boxing analogy? Not for me. It's more like being stalked by a beast that looms up on you whenever you stop to look around for even a moment. Insidious
Richard Burton died after a binge drinking session--his opponent got him in the end. Sad.
That audience though. Why do simple-minded people laugh so much?
Why do judgmental people not understand what nervous laughter is? 🤔
Agree. Was surprised to hear laughter as he was discussing alcoholism. He addressed it well by saying it is not a laughing matter soon after some laughter began. Perhaps at that time society wasn't as open to discussing these things, and it was in fact nervous laughter.
@pereg - I agree. I couldn't understand the laughter either.
It wasn't that many people laughing. I would presume that out of an entire studio audience, at least that many people are active alcoholics. Perhaps they were laughing as recognition or fear. 🤷
It's nervous laughter. It seems so awkward, but some people react this way.
He doesn’t look well here four years before his death. He looks quite depressed. Contrast this interview with his Parkinson interview only 6 years before.
How ironic that the most impressive English speaker in the history of the world is in fact a Welsh boy...
Not really. Listen to Carwen James, the 71 Lions coach speak or Philip Madock ( Ruth Madock's ex husband). These are more natural authentic sounding Welsh voices and sound elegant. Not all Welsh people sound as terrible as the English would have us beleive. Burton's voice is 95% fabricated, although it still sounds authentic, if that makes sense? Where as someone like Roger Moore's voice sounds false, almost cartoonishly posh.
Burton was a wooden film actor who shouted constantly.
You are correct.
Why come on here and make such a negative comment
@@vantheman1238 Montgomery Clift was right - Burton could not act, he just recited the lines in that fake voice of his.
I'm disappointed he didn't ask Richard about when he discovered the source of the Nile or traveled to Mecca.
Wrong Burton. But it would have been amazing if he had played him.
Yawn.
The 666th like. I'm not saying Richard is the devil, but i bet he was one 😉
Boxer ...or 800 lb gorilla 🦍 in alley way
RB appears rather tentative ,gaunt and unsure of himself here. Sure hope he’s not intimidated by the D . Not sure how old he was here ,he passed at 58 . Seems he covered a lot of ground in his years…..he did .
Why are some muppets laughing ?
Because they are thick.
Think it’s because they find the truth difficult to listen too
Burton looks thin here.
It’s difficult to understand why people drink alcohol as a non-alcohol drinker. I like fruit tea and ice water. I am not against alcohol but I never buy it.
He does not look healthy vast wealth does not seem to get it