Mr. Burton

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Mr. Burton

2025,

2h 4m,

Drama

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Watchlist

93%

42 Reviews

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Mr. Burton tells the true story of the relationship between Port Talbot schoolmaster Philip Burton and a wild young schoolboy called Richard Jenkins, the son of a wayward drunk. Richard dreamed of becoming an actor, but his ambitions were in danger of being derailed by a combination of family trouble, the pressure of war, and his own lack of discipline. Mr. Burton recognized the raw talent in his pupil, becoming his tutor, strict taskmaster and eventually his adoptive father.

Critics Consensus

A thoroughly evocative exploration of artistry and mentorship, Mr. Burton is vividly brought to life by the absorbing dynamic between stars Toby Jones and Harry Lawtey.

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Stephen Farber

The Hollywood Reporter

Mar 20, 2026

The subject of mentorship is not treated frequently onscreen, but Mr. Burton may be remembered as one of the definitive explorations of the theme.

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Guy Lodge

Variety

Mar 19, 2026

It’s a little disappointing that “Mr. Burton” remains so coy around Philip’s inner life and yearnings, though Jones’s graceful, precise performance in nuanced in its unspoken implications.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Aug 14, 2025

3.5/5

In essence, it’s a great story, yet the final scenes, which take us out of Wales to London and Stratford, don’t quite work

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William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

May 18, 2026

The point that Burton makes to Jenkins, time and again, is that as an instructor, his role is not to encourage his pupil, but to see if his pupil feels compelled to succeed even when discouraged.

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Tony Medley

tonymedley.com

Apr 29, 2026

9/10

If this isn’t the best biopic I’ve seen, it’s right up there with the best, highlighted by an Oscar(r)-quality performance by Toby Jones and an equally effective job by Harry Lawtey. It's long but well-directed and not too long.

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Julio Fernando Navas

Cinema Ecuador

Apr 15, 2026

3.5/ 5

It might be formulaic, but Evan's noble attempt to celebrate an icon from Welsh cinema is inspiring and very well acted. [Full review in Spanish].

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Marc Evans

Director

Harry Lawtey

Actor

Toby Jones

Actor

Lesley Manville

Actor

Aneurin Barnard

Actor

Aimee-Ffion Edwards

Actor

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Synopsis

Mr. Burton tells the true story of the relationship between Port Talbot schoolmaster Philip Burton and a wild young schoolboy called Richard Jenkins, the son of a wayward drunk. Richard dreamed of becoming an actor, but his ambitions were in danger of being derailed by a combination of family trouble, the pressure of war, and his own lack of discipline. Mr. Burton recognized the raw talent in his pupil, becoming his tutor, strict taskmaster and eventually his adoptive father.

Director: Marc Evans
Producer: Ed Talfan, Hannah Thomas
Screenwriter: Josh Hyams, Tom Bullough
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 2h 4m

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