Why ‘hellraisers’ like Richard Burton, Oliver Reed and Peter O’Toole will always bewitch us

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I remember the first time I saw Richard Burton as Alexander the Great! The movie burst onto the screen in vibrant color, and there he was, in full armor, riding a horse – the audience went wild! The narrator announced, “In ten short years, he has conquered the world,” and honestly, it felt like it could have been about Burton himself, not just the character he was playing. He was that captivating.

By 1956, the Welsh actor had already achieved an incredible rise to fame. He went from growing up in the mining village of Pontrhydyfen to attending Oxford University, performing on the London stage, and eventually reaching Hollywood. Actress Siân Phillips recalled his West End debut, saying his entrance was so captivating it silenced the entire theater. He quickly earned an Oscar nomination for his first Hollywood role – the first of seven throughout his career. He possessed a remarkable voice, a powerful stage presence, and a deep love of poetry, all of which he generously shared with audiences.

When you hear the name Richard Burton, you instantly picture a glamorous, dramatic life – filled with luxury travel, constant attention from the media, and his famous, twice-repeated marriage to Elizabeth Taylor. And that image isn’t wrong – it’s all true.

Richard Burton was a leading figure among Britain’s popular actors from the mid-20th century, alongside stars like Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris, and Oliver Reed. This group was known as much for their wild behavior off-screen as for their impressive acting skills – they were often called ‘hellraisers.’ What connected these actors, and why do we still find them so captivating?

These actors were all exceptionally talented. Anthony Hopkins recalled Peter O’Toole bursting onto the stage with incredible energy, and Richard Harris gave us both a beautiful portrayal of King Arthur and, surprisingly, sang the famous song “MacArthur Park” – which I didn’t realize was him until recently!

They all came to London at a time when the aftermath of the war still deeply affected people, social classes were clashing, and a carefree lifestyle was becoming popular. Their talent as actors opened doors to incredible opportunities and a life they hadn’t imagined.

Michael Sheen points out the many conflicting forces in Richard Burton’s life – his love for both theater and film, his commitment to his first wife Sybil and his affair with Elizabeth Taylor, and his connection to Wales versus his global fame – and wonders if alcohol was his way of coping. Regardless, it seems these internal struggles turned incredibly talented people into difficult and unpleasant individuals. Actress Siân Phillips recalls one instance of her husband, Peter O’Toole, flying into a drunken rage and ordering her to leave the house within two hours.

One of the most poignant moments in the new BBC2 documentary about Richard Burton comes from a friend who witnessed his first performance in 1952 and later saw him near the end of his life. This friend observed that while Burton was still performing, he seemed deeply disconnected. The once-promising actor, once considered Laurence Olivier’s heir apparent, had tragically become known for outbursts, famously yelling at a director late in his career, “I could have been Lear!”

Burton was always captivated by the story of Faustus, who sacrificed his soul for power, wealth, and love. However, the tale of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, felt equally relevant to his own life. Those who aimed a little lower – like Albert Finney and Michael Caine – achieved lasting success and fulfilling lives. Notably, Anthony Hopkins, who has been sober for half a century, has twice taken on the role of King Lear, a part Burton never had the chance to play.

Thankfully, this kind of behavior isn’t seen anymore, which is good news for everyone involved – studio bosses, pub owners, and the people who care about the stars. But as Kenneth Branagh points out, it means we likely won’t be talking about this era in the future. Was it all worth it? Harris certainly thought so, believing that at least his presence was felt.

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2025-11-04 04:23