Dive into the Lost Tapes of Elizabeth Taylor: HBO’s Revealing New Documentary
Prepare to be spellbound as HBO unveils a fascinating window into the life of one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes, directed by Nanette Burstein, offers an intimate, never-before-seen glimpse into the life of the British-born superstar through a treasure trove of 40 hours of “lost” interviews from 1964. This pivotal year marked a significant turning point in Taylor’s personal life, wrapping up her tumultuous fourth marriage to Eddie Fisher and igniting her fiery fifth marriage to Richard Burton.
The Golden Era of Elizabeth Taylor: A Look Back
Elizabeth Taylor, who lived until 2011, left behind a legacy of glamour, drama, and sheer star power. The documentary blends these captivating interviews with rare home movies and photographs from the Elizabeth Taylor Estate, painting a vivid portrait of Taylor at the zenith of her fame. Lost Tapes delves deep into Taylor's world during a time when her life was under intense public scrutiny and media frenzy.
"She was just in a different moment," says Burstein. "I felt good about using these tapes because the estate wanted her story to be told from beyond the grave. At the time, Elizabeth Taylor was being overly judged, and that fear factor does not exist anymore." This sentiment sets the stage for a documentary that not only uncovers hidden truths but also brings a nuanced understanding of Taylor's life and legacy.
The Mysterious Journey of the Lost Tapes
So, how did these elusive tapes come to light? The interviews were originally recorded by Richard Meryman, a Life magazine writer renowned for his work with Marilyn Monroe. Meryman was ghost-writing a biography of Taylor, and the tapes were never meant to be publicly released. Burstein reveals, "The research tapes were never supposed to be heard by the public. They sat in his attic for decades." It wasn't until Meryman's passing in 2015 that his widow discovered the cache of tapes, leading to their eventual release.
During these interviews, cocktails flowed freely, a detail that adds a layer of authenticity to the footage. "Morning interviews or late-night interviews, it didn't matter. There was always alcohol flowing," Burstein notes. While the documentary hints at this, the unfiltered nature of the tapes reveals much more about Taylor's personality and the atmosphere of the interviews.
Elizabeth Taylor: A Magnet for Public Attention
The documentary features startling footage from 1952, showing a young Taylor marrying her second husband, Michael Wilding, in London. The scene is nothing short of a spectacle, with police struggling to control the crowd of screaming fans. "It’s early on, well before any scandals, when she’s not even at the height of her fame," Burstein points out. "But it looks like The Beatles just turned up. That was shocking to me."
The relentless paparazzi were a constant presence in Taylor’s life, often crossing boundaries to capture a glimpse of her. Taylor recounts in the tapes, "Photographers dressed up as priests would come to the door. Photographers would get inside the house dressed up as workmen or plumbers. Paparazzi would climb over the wall, and we'd turn the hose on them." The documentary brings to light the invasive tactics that made Taylor’s life a constant circus.
Love, Scandal, and the Search for Happiness
Taylor's relationship with Eddie Fisher, a close friend of her late husband Mike Todd, was a subject of intense public scrutiny. Taylor and Fisher’s marriage, which began in scandalous fashion, was marked by Taylor’s admission in the tapes that she never truly loved Fisher. "I liked him. I felt sorry for him. And I liked talking with him about Mike," she reveals, casting a critical eye on the media’s portrayal of her personal life.
The turmoil surrounding her relationship with Fisher only added to the public's fascination with Taylor. "The public didn't know of [the couple’s] personal unhappiness Mike and I had known about. As far as [the public] were concerned, I broke up a perfectly happy marriage," Taylor laments, reflecting on the hostility she faced.
Enter Richard Burton: A Romance Shrouded in Glamour and Drama
Taylor’s affair with Richard Burton was one of Hollywood’s most legendary and tumultuous relationships. On the set of Cleopatra, Taylor describes her first encounter with Burton: "I've never seen a gentleman so hungover in my whole life. He was terribly nervous and sweet and shaky. And that just endeared me so to him. My heart went out to him."
The couple’s passionate relationship was filled with high hopes and dramatic turns. Taylor believed their love was destined to last forever, saying they were "bonded together with bands of steel." Yet, despite their confidence, their relationship would eventually unravel. They divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975, and their second marriage lasted less than a year.
The Oscar Scandal: What Could Have Been
In the tapes, Taylor expresses her belief that the scandal surrounding her marriage to Fisher cost her a Best Actress Oscar for Suddenly, Last Summer in 1960. She felt that had she maintained a lower profile, she might have won the award. "That was terribly important to me. If I'd been a good girl, I probably would have won," she confesses.
Taylor did, however, achieve Oscar glory later in her career, winning Best Actress awards in 1961 for BUtterfield 8 and in 1967 for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Her career was a testament to her extraordinary talent and resilience.
A Legacy Unearthed: The Final Word
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes offers an unparalleled look into the life of a woman who was both a beloved icon and a controversial figure. Through candid interviews and rare footage, the documentary not only celebrates Taylor’s achievements but also sheds light on the personal struggles and triumphs that defined her life.
Set to air on HBO at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT this Saturday and available for streaming on Max, this documentary is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the enigmatic and glamorous world of Elizabeth Taylor. With its deep dive into the personal and professional highs and lows of Taylor's life, it promises to be a riveting experience for both new and longtime fans of the legendary actress.
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