Celebrating genius of screen icon; Burton's first film shown.

Byline: SARA THOMAS 

THE home of Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor is a shrine to the love of her life Richard Burton.

The news was revealed by his niece, Sian Owen, after hearing that the charismatic Welsh actor was to be honoured 25 years after his death at the first ever Denbigh Film Festival.

Burton's first film, The Last Days of Dolwyn, will be shown at the festival which is being held at Theatr Twm o'r Nant, in Denbigh, from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18.

It's now exactly 60 years since The Last Days of Dolwyn was released during the post-war austerity of 1949.

The film world realised immediately that a new star was born and Burton's career skyrocketed.

According to Sian Owen, eight-times married Dame Elizabeth Taylor still misses him greatly and her home in Bel Air is adorned with his pictures, including one at her bedside.

The couple first married in 1964 at the height of Taylor's fame and Burton became one of the biggest names in Hollywood in his own right, at one time being its highest-paid star.

Burton was her fifth husband and she was his second wife. The couple split up after nearly 10 years but were briefly reconciled in August the following year.

Vesi Jones, the Chair of the Denbigh Film Club, which is organising the festival, felt it was important to honour the brightest acting talent that Wales has ever produced.

She said: "Richard Burton was a true Hollywood superstar and his tempestuous relationship with Elizabeth Taylor was worthy of a classic celluloid love story.

"But our aim is to recognise and acclaim the supreme acting talent that captivated cinema audiences.

"The Last Days of Dolwyn was written, directed and starred Emlyn Williams, who was born in Mostyn, as a property developer who returns to his native village determined to have it flooded as a reservoir in vengeance for the villagers having branded him a thief years ago.

"He faces formidable opposition from Edith Evans and Richard Burton whose supreme talent shines through the black and white images of the film.

"We will also be honouring another Welsh great, Meredydd Edwards, and showing the 1949 film classic, A Run for your Money, in which he starred.

"The festival is dedicated to the cinematic activities in Wales over the past 100 years and the theme within is that of Wales and her people reflected in films made in and outside Wales with contributions by distinguished film-makers and actors of Welsh origin.

"The aim is to present a range of films which celebrate the artistic vision and achievements of these film-makers, past and present, as well as present the socio-economic reality of life in the 20th century."

The event is supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd, and has received pounds 3,500 from the Film Agency for Wales with contributions coming from Denbigh Town Council and local businesses.

. For more information log on to: www.thedenbighfilmclub.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Anthony and Cleopatra Richard Burton in The Last Days of Dolwyn