“Fame was the bane of her existence”

Reflecting on Elizabeth Taylor’s tumultuous life journey, one cannot help but marvel at the resilience and indomitable spirit of this remarkable woman. Born into fame, she navigated the treacherous waters of Hollywood with grace, beauty, and an unwavering zest for life.

Add Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes to your watchlist

When you imagine Elizabeth Taylor, who comes to mind? Is it the young actress from the movie “National Velvet”? Or perhaps the influential advocate for AIDS awareness in the 1980s? Maybe even one half of the tumultuous relationship with Richard Burton? She was all these things and so much more, as a new documentary by American filmmaker Nanette Burstein shows.

Speaking about his memories from the ’80s, Burstein expressed that for him, Taylor Swift during his lifetime, beyond the movie screens, was primarily associated with her relationship with Michael Jackson. He noted that at the time, their connection often made headlines in tabloids, painting a rather scandalous picture. However, after working on this film, he gained a deeper insight into her character.

Elizabeth Taylor, born in Hampstead, north London, in 1932 to American parents, passed away at the age of 79 in Los Angeles in 2011. At the height of her career, she was one of the most prominent screen actors of the 20th century, gracing films like “Giant,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (with Burton). Remarkably, she never attended an acting class but still managed to win two Best Actress Oscars, becoming the first actor, regardless of gender, to earn $1 million for a film in 1963 (“Cleopatra”). However, by this time, she was a global icon. Yet, the public image presented was carefully crafted to suit Hollywood’s PR needs and media; the true Elizabeth Taylor remained elusive.

The tapes are really candid… She gets very confessional

Due to Burstein’s film, which includes previously undiscovered recordings Taylor made in 1964, the previous statement is no longer accurate. According to Burstein, these tapes are incredibly intimate and candid. Taylor can be quite playful at times, but she also becomes deeply emotional and revealing. It appears that a lot of alcohol was consumed during those recording sessions.

As a seasoned documentarian with extensive experience in delving into the hearts and minds of public figures, I found myself intrigued by the task at hand: transforming a recorded audio of Taylor working on a ghostwritten autobiography with Richard Meryman into a compelling film. Having previously explored the psyche of Hillary Clinton for the 2020 series Hillary, I was approached by the trust representing Taylor’s estate.

At just 12 years old, Taylor achieved global recognition when she starred in the movie “National Velvet” in 1944. However, within four short years, the studio began casting her in roles that were questionable given her age, including an adult screen kiss with actor Robert Taylor who was 38 at the time. This is something Burstein comments on, saying, “I don’t think you could do that today.” The situation became increasingly uncomfortable as Taylor found herself playing adult roles alongside men who were more than twice her age, a fact that Burstein describes as unsettling.

Over time, Taylor became more prominently portrayed as a symbol of attraction, and she found solace in a close-knit group of gay companions: Rock Hudson, Roddy McDowall, and Montgomery Clift. According to Burstein, they wouldn’t have been interested in her romantically. Instead, Taylor relied on them for confidants, and they reciprocated that trust. These individuals kept their sexual orientation hidden from the public, but they needed friends like Taylor to understand their true identities. And Taylor, being completely accepting, had no prejudice towards homosexuality.

As a historian with a specialization in women’s studies and popular culture, I find it fascinating to delve into the complex life of Taylor Swift. Although her early years are well documented, there’s still much to explore about her journey during the 1980s. The revelation that she used a tape recorder in 1964 offers intriguing insights into her personal life and experiences at such a young age.

Following two unsuccessful marriages – the first at age 18 with Conrad Hilton Jr, a hotel heir who inflicted physical abuse; and the second two years later to Michael Wilding, a British actor who was older by 20 years – she encountered film producer Mike Todd. It seemed she found joy in their marriage which took place in 1957. Unfortunately, Todd perished in a plane accident the following year, leaving her heartbroken. Images of the grief-stricken young widow were broadcast worldwide.

Initially, Taylor enjoyed widespread empathy from Americans, but things changed when it came to light that she was involved in an affair with Todd’s friend, the musician Eddie Fisher – a man who was married to Debbie Reynolds, star of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’. The couple had two children together, including Carrie Fisher. As a result, Taylor was viewed as a public adversary.

According to Burstein, she’s no innocent. It’s not surprising that there was a strong reaction towards her relationship and subsequent marriage to Eddie Fisher, given that he was married to a beloved American icon. However, she chose to live her life as she desired, regardless of the potential fallout. When she undertook philanthropic work for AIDS, people didn’t speak about it due to fear. She, on the other hand, was never afraid. She endured the consequences and disliked being labeled a homewrecker and subjected to slut-shaming. Her mindset was, ‘This is who I am, and this is what I want to do with my life at this moment.’

In 1959, she wed Fisher, a decision Burstein later described as regrettable. One particularly tense scene in the movie occurs when Taylor remembers Fisher saying to her, “Don’t fret, I won’t shoot you. You’re far too beautiful.” Why did Taylor continue getting married? According to Burstein, she didn’t have many friends her own age other than Roddy McDowall, and they remained close throughout their lives. She was under the care of a guardian until her marriage, making her rather innocent. However, on the silver screen, she portrayed mature characters. Taylor seemed captivated by the idea of love itself.

After that, Burton entered the scene. Their encounter took place in Rome during the filming of Cleopatra, where Burton portrayed Mark Antony. The attraction between them was swift and mutual. “Taylor had already been labeled a home-wrecker, yet she thought, ‘Alright, let’s try this again! He’s married with children, and I am too, but who cares.’ They became deeply enamored, and their affection was evident to all. Filming was happening in Rome, and their affair was playing out publicly. The Vatican newspaper criticized them, there was a bomb threat against her, even her father called her a prostitute. However, the heart yearns for what it yearns when it comes to Elizabeth Taylor.”

Living with Burton, whom she married and divorced twice (first from 1964 to 1974, then again from 1975 to 1976), marked a period of alcoholism and increased public criticism for her. At the age of 51, she became the first famous figure to seek treatment at the Betty Ford clinic, standing firm against life’s challenges as she always did. She refused to let circumstances bend her.

Despite facing numerous hardships and tragedies, she managed to turn her life around and achieve greatness. The limelight proved to be her nemesis as it brought infamy rather than fame. Yet, she harnessed this negativity and transformed it into a source of strength to accomplish feats that filled her with pride. Indeed, it’s an intricate tale, but what a compelling one it is!

2024-08-07 14:05

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