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Mr Burton is a drama set in Port Talbot, 1942, which, for some reason, took a whole month to reach Odeon, but then they’ve had problems with other distributors lately, including Lionsgate, which is why other cinemas have shown The Penguin Lessons, but not them – despite extensive advertising for MONTHS, and the same goes for their forthcoming release, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
However, now this one graced their screens, Toby Jones (Mr Bates Vs The Post Office) takes the lead as Philip Burton, a studious teacher, who writes the occasional BBC radio play, and his friends call him “PH”, due to his first two initials. Having never married, he’s lodged for years with Ma Smith (Lesley Manville – Queer).
In his class is young Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey – Joker: Folie À Deux), a decent lad, but who lives with his sister, Cis (Aimee-Ffion Edwards, who starred alongside Mr Jones in Detectorists), and her wanker husband, Elfed (Aneurin Barnard – Doctor Who: Empire Of Death). Alas, he doesn’t stay with his own Dad, Dic (Steffan Rhodri – Gavin And Stacey), because that man certainly is one, given he’s a raging drunk, barely recognises his own son after he’s had a few, and even throws nasty insults at him.
However, in spotting his talent, Philip invites “Richie”, as he’s known, to his amateur dramatics group, where he’s nervous to get going, but in time, Harry Lawter really does come across with the demeanour of a young Richard Burton, particular in the mannerisms and accent, getting the latter perfect.
As the two bond further – in a good way, with no impropriety – Richie takes his teaches surname, to get away from his own pater, hence the title, Mr Burton.
Overall, the film gives us an interesting story, but sadly told in a very flat manner – and REALLY drawn out – and could easily have had 30 minutes cut out of it. Some scenes also do feel like they were put back in to repeat themselves, on purpose, so if you’re feeling a bit drained over the excessive 124-minute running time, it’s okay to catch a few “Z”s for a minute or three.
As an aside, it’s also one of those films where people speak in sentences that crowbar in BOTH English AND their native language – in this case, Welsh – which comes across as highly improbable.
NOTE: There are no mid- or post-credit scenes.
Mr Burton is in cinemas now, and is available to pre-order on DVD, ahead of its release date on June 30th.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 124 minutes
Release date: April 4th 2025
Studio: Icon Film Distribution
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Rating: 3/10
Director: Marc Evans
Producers: Josh Hyams, Trevor Matthews, Ed Talfan, Hannah Thomas
Screenplay: Tom Bullough, Josh Hyams
Music: John ER Hardy
Cast:
Philip Burton: Toby Jones
Richard Jenkins: Harry Lawtey
Cis: Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Ma Smith: Lesley Manville
Elfed: Aneurin Barnard
Daphne Rye: Hannah New
Dic Jenkins: Steffan Rhodri
Jenny: Carys Bowkett
Baynham: Osian Morgan
Phyllis Dolan: Mali O’Donnell
Harry Andrews: Hamish Gray
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.