MovieChat Forums > Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Discussion > Burton's performance in the garden scene

Burton's performance in the garden scene

posted 9 years ago by Maddyclassicfilms
13 replies | jump to latest

I think Richard gives an incredible performance in this and was robbed of an Oscar. He has my attention throughout the film but I think he is at his best during the garden scene with George Segal. When he tells the story about ordering the drink and everyone laughing.

The lines he says are very effective certainly but it's the look in his eyes that makes that scene so powerful. You really are unable to turn away from the screen during that scene. It's a very quiet scene where nothing really happens but he makes it a very powerful moment. I always think this scene should be shown to students learning acting to show them how to be brilliant in a scene.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] fuggedaboudit 9 years ago

He really is excellent in this movie. He and Elizabeth had such amazing chemistry. I like this movie more each time I see it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go fill my freezer with my own blood

[–] generalusgrant 9 years ago

Burton's only great performance. It's sickening to think he was reduced to doing Hammersmith is Out in '71 and embarrassing Klansmen in 1974. It shows what a tremendous director Mike Nichols was. He was the only director that was ever able to get Burton not to overact to an almost ludicrous degree.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 9 years ago

Burton's only great performance. It's sickening to think he was reduced to doing Hammersmith is Out in '71 and embarrassing Klansmen in 1974. It shows what a tremendous director Mike Nichols was. He was the only director that was ever able to get Burton not to overact to an almost ludicrous degree.

I'd turn this around and say that this is Mike Nichols' only truly great film. I thought that The Graduate was good but nothing special, and a couple of decades later, Nichols was grinding out dreck like Wolf and PC claptrap like Angels in America.

Burton gave a number of great performances in the 1960's and beyond. Though not a leading role, Burton gave a restrained and brilliant performance in 1984. I also think that his performances in Becket and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold from the early 60's were phenomenal. He's intense in the roles, but it's not the comical overacting that we got from him in the trash that he did through much of the 70's like Bluebeard or The Klansman.

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 9 years ago

I'll second those films you mentioned Edward and add Equus which is another great Burton performance.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 9 years ago

I admire Burton in Equus, but I left it off my list because I was focusing on cases where Burton can't possibly be accused of overacting. In Equus, he's spectacular but sometimes over the top in a way that works great on stage but can be excessive on the screen.

[–] TrevorReznick 9 years ago

I also think that his performances in Becket and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold from the early 60's were phenomenal.

Hear, hear! Burton was brilliant in those roles.

Hard to believe that country used to rule anything...

[–] Stirchley 9 years ago

I thought that The Graduate was good but nothing special

One of my favorite movies of all time.

[–] TrevorReznick 9 years ago

Burton's only great performance.

Odd that your avatar is Peter O'Toole and you're slamming Burton's acting.

Burton starred in "Becket" with O'Toole in the major supporting role. O'Toole was good but Burton was great.

I don't know why you're concentrating on his weaker films instead of his great performances.

Hard to believe that country used to rule anything...

[–] gary-64659 8 years ago

Burton in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Night Of the Iguana? He was well worth watching in many others too.

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 9 years ago

He really is excellent in this movie. He and Elizabeth had such amazing chemistry.

I agree with you. His performance is brilliant throughout the entire film and he and Elizabeth have great chemistry.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] TrevorReznick 9 years ago

I'm in absolute agreement with you, OP.

You have summarized the power of Richard Burton's acting in a nutshell. He was one of the greatest of all time.

I can't believe he never got an Oscar, it's a crime and he was totally robbed.

Hard to believe that country used to rule anything...

[–] Kawada_Kira 8 years ago

That was a great scene. I hesitate to say it's the best scene, just because I honestly don't think it's possible to choose a best scene out of this movie, but it's up there. I only realized near the end of his monologue how the movie had been focusing just on him for all that time, just him talking, and you don't even really notice how everyone else has just kind of melted away for that scene. He really just draws you in. Like you said, unable to turn away. He should have won an award even if just for that scene alone.

[–] Gadare 7 years ago

I also love the several times where, following an intense scene, he just gazes in a blank stare. My favorite film performance by an actor.

And that voice!

"Victor, what are we going to do to stop this fiendish tit?"