It was a strong performance for sure, but more suited to the stage than the silver screen, I think. He was so over the top with his theatrical outbursts, although I have to admit that I didn't notice that until I watched it in parallel with Don Juan de Marco where Marlon Brando plays a similar roles and hits it out of the ballpark with his understated acting.
Richard Burton is so great in this. I honestly think his perfromance has made it one of the greatest psychological thrillers of our time. If only it had been recognized as a classic. Thanks for putting this on here!
I was living in London at the time and Equus was the talk of theatre land so I managed to attend the opening night of the play on October 24 1974 in the Plymouth Theatre. Martin Dysart was played by that other great Welsh actor, Anthony Hopkins. It made such an impression on me I went to the theatre again, the Helen Hayes Theatre I think, in 1976 where Dysart was played by Alec MaCowan and it wasn't the same. I was however reinvigorated by the Burton film version.
I want to drag everyone who bad-mouths his acting by the hair into a theatre and force them to watch this! He was (no lesser word is accurate) magnificent!
That's just the point though... it's great theatrical acting but doesn't translate so well to the silver screen. Still a great job, but I would have liked to have seen him do it in a more understated way.
I don't so much love this play as much as it breaks my fucking heart. These monologues terrify me with how truthful and shattering they are. They are beyond theater.
Absolutely. Imagine that you have to give up your passion and zest for life in order to "fit in" and be considered a healthy adult.... sacrifice on the altar of normalcy...
Oh, you're kidding. Well, as far as I'm concerned, the academy awards are mostly a popularity contest. I realized that back in 1993 when Leonardo di Caprio, who did such a great job of playing an autistic and developmentally disabled teenager that I thought he was actually disabled (and I used to work with kids like that), lost to Tommy Lee Jones playing Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive.
I love Richard Burton as an actor. I find him mesmerizing. As for the naysayers...........everyone has a right to their opinion I suppose. Richard is well established as one of the great actors, regardless.
but, if you prefer someone like a guiness or burton who can immerse and lose themselves within the role...that's an even great gift. however, for sheer understanding of the language and phrasing neither brando or nicholson can hold a candle to burton's delivery. burton is sublime and subtle when phrasing and electrifying when he needs to be. this was originally a play and burton is meant to be talking directly to his audience i.e., the camera.
The film reads as a play; I think that throws a lot of people. A play is not the same as a movie; natural isn't exactly the aim. Do I think its the best translation ever? nah, prolly not. But it reads fine when you keep it in that context- its a play turned into a movie. Thus, Burton is great for the role.
@RichardElden Here we reach the heart of the matter; you don't like the play and I do. I like the play, not for its nudity or sexual aspects, but as a character drama and an interesting, well written, scenario. Also Richard Burton's acting. Earlier you suggested that Richard Burton was terrible for this role, but are now saying its just a rubbish play in any light. You be Trollin'.
to instinctively respond to art or an actor's performance has nothing to do with intellect. brando and nicholson are always themselves; regardless of the role, you know what you are in for (emoting on a grand and maudlin scale and perhaps mugging for the camera). if you like that predictability and familiarity....great!
@RichardElden It remains a work of art and not a "gay porn". An allegory for homosexuality or not, it is not implicitly "gay porn". To say such robs it of its artistic merit. I find nothing wrong with my previous reply to you and stand by it.
how can you have contempt for an actor? they're all flakes. you're not burton's estranged and illegitimate son or daughter pining for your inheritance bequest?
@RichardElden Ah, good point; obviously I overlooked that because I've been indoctrinated by my liberal yuppy college to appreciate artistic merit. Oh, wait; No. You're totally wrong and have at this point devalued any opinion you may have previously held by referring to artistic direction as "gay" and "porn". I'm sorry you don't like this film. I do, as do many others (I'm certain plenty of people also dislike the film as well). Grow up.
nicholson or brando blow chunks compared to burton. this is a role with soliloquies and nobody does narration and/or soliloquy better than sir richard burton.
It is unfathomable that Richard Burton didn't get an Oscar for this.
It was a strong performance for sure, but more suited to the stage than the silver screen, I think. He was so over the top with his theatrical outbursts, although I have to admit that I didn't notice that until I watched it in parallel with Don Juan de Marco where Marlon Brando plays a similar roles and hits it out of the ballpark with his understated acting.
Richard Burton is so great in this. I honestly think his perfromance has made it one of the greatest psychological thrillers of our time. If only it had been recognized as a classic. Thanks for putting this on here!
Definitely is a classic in my book.
I was living in London at the time and Equus was the talk of theatre land so I managed to attend the opening night of the play on October 24 1974 in the Plymouth Theatre. Martin Dysart was played by that other great Welsh actor, Anthony Hopkins. It made such an impression on me I went to the theatre again, the Helen Hayes Theatre I think, in 1976 where Dysart was played by Alec MaCowan and it wasn't the same. I was however reinvigorated by the Burton film version.
Ohhh, I would love to see Anthony Hopkins in this role.
I want to drag everyone who bad-mouths his acting by the hair into a theatre and force them to watch this! He was (no lesser word is accurate) magnificent!
That's just the point though... it's great theatrical acting but doesn't translate so well to the silver screen. Still a great job, but I would have liked to have seen him do it in a more understated way.
I don't so much love this play as much as it breaks my fucking heart.
These monologues terrify me with how truthful and shattering they are. They are beyond theater.
Absolutely. Imagine that you have to give up your passion and zest for life in order to "fit in" and be considered a healthy adult.... sacrifice on the altar of normalcy...
And he lost to Richard Dreyfuss for "Goodbye Girl." Let that sink in.
Oh, you're kidding. Well, as far as I'm concerned, the academy awards are mostly a popularity contest. I realized that back in 1993 when Leonardo di Caprio, who did such a great job of playing an autistic and developmentally disabled teenager that I thought he was actually disabled (and I used to work with kids like that), lost to Tommy Lee Jones playing Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive.
@@Cinema-Roles "You never go full retard"
I love Richard Burton as an actor. I find him mesmerizing. As for the naysayers...........everyone has a right to their opinion I suppose. Richard is well established as one of the great actors, regardless.
Christ Our Lord offers answer
but, if you prefer someone like a guiness or burton who can immerse and lose themselves within the role...that's an even great gift. however, for sheer understanding of the language and phrasing neither brando or nicholson can hold a candle to burton's delivery. burton is sublime and subtle when phrasing and electrifying when he needs to be.
this was originally a play and burton is meant to be talking directly to his audience i.e., the camera.
He DID win the Golden Globe. I remember his classy and witty acceptance speech.
The film reads as a play; I think that throws a lot of people. A play is not the same as a movie; natural isn't exactly the aim. Do I think its the best translation ever? nah, prolly not. But it reads fine when you keep it in that context- its a play turned into a movie. Thus, Burton is great for the role.
my favourite HSC text
@RichardElden
Here we reach the heart of the matter; you don't like the play and I do. I like the play, not for its nudity or sexual aspects, but as a character drama and an interesting, well written, scenario. Also Richard Burton's acting. Earlier you suggested that Richard Burton was terrible for this role, but are now saying its just a rubbish play in any light.
You be Trollin'.
to instinctively respond to art or an actor's performance has nothing to do with intellect. brando and nicholson are always themselves; regardless of the role, you know what you are in for (emoting on a grand and maudlin scale and perhaps mugging for the camera). if you like that predictability and familiarity....great!
@RichardElden
It remains a work of art and not a "gay porn". An allegory for homosexuality or not, it is not implicitly "gay porn". To say such robs it of its artistic merit. I find nothing wrong with my previous reply to you and stand by it.
this is so much more interesting if it's NOT an allegory for homosexuality.
@gothdeer
Rather I like Richard Burton for the role in this adaptation. How embarrassing.
how can you have contempt for an actor? they're all flakes.
you're not burton's estranged and illegitimate son or daughter pining for your inheritance bequest?
@RichardElden
Ah, good point; obviously I overlooked that because I've been indoctrinated by my liberal yuppy college to appreciate artistic merit. Oh, wait; No. You're totally wrong and have at this point devalued any opinion you may have previously held by referring to artistic direction as "gay" and "porn". I'm sorry you don't like this film. I do, as do many others (I'm certain plenty of people also dislike the film as well).
Grow up.
you gotta fuggin' listen for the inflections, intonations and modulations, obamazombie4ever. scrape the wax out yer ears!
nicholson or brando blow chunks compared to burton. this is a role with soliloquies and nobody does narration and/or soliloquy better than sir richard burton.
Amazing performance of the worst material of the 1970s. 💩 play.
You really didn’t get it did you? Amazing play. A little deeper than your understanding.