Elizabeth Taylor Endured Scandal and Shaming Throughout Her Career

Elizabeth Taylor’s life, romances, and films have continued to captivate the public eye even after her passing in 2011. The new HBO documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” explores this fascination through a series of interviews journalist Richard Meryman conducted with Taylor, the two-time Oscar-winning actress and iconic celebrity, back in 1964.

Directed by Nanette Burstein, the documentary charts Taylor’s career from her early performances in “Lassie Come Home” and “National Velvet” to her adult roles in films like “A Place in the Sun,” “Giant,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and “Suddenly, Last Summer.” It also delves into her historic $1 million payday for the movie “Cleopatra.”

The film further examines Taylor’s tumultuous personal life, starting with her brief marriages to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton and Michael Wilding before meeting the love of her life, producer Mike Todd. Following Todd’s untimely death, Taylor had an affair with Eddie Fisher, then married to Debbie Reynolds. Taylor then cheated on Fisher with her “Cleopatra” co-star Richard Burton, whom she would marry and divorce twice, making 11 films together.

The taped interviews provide a candid look into Taylor’s thoughts about her public persona, her acting performances, and her relationships. Burstein skillfully uses film clips, newsreel footage, photographs, and additional interviews to create an intimate and confessional perspective on Taylor’s life.

In a recent interview, Burstein spoke about her approach to the documentary and her impressions of Elizabeth Taylor. She believes Taylor was ahead of her time, living her life boldly and unapologetically. Despite facing public scrutiny and being labeled a “bad girl” and a “sex goddess,” Taylor remained resilient and fought for complex roles that showcased her talent beyond her beauty.

Burstein highlighted that Taylor’s favorite roles were often those where she had to “age up” and not rely merely on her looks. Films like “Giant” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” required Taylor to stretch her acting abilities and portray complicated, multi-dimensional characters.

Discussing Taylor’s experience in “Butterfield 8,” Burstein notes that while Taylor delivered an impressive performance, she disliked the film due to its humiliating parallels to her real life. The studio cast Eddie Fisher, Taylor’s then-husband, and portrayed her in a role echoing the public’s derogatory image of her, leading to a mix of resentment and professional achievement when she won an Oscar for the role.

The documentary also touches on the lack of control actors had over their careers during the studio system era, a struggle Taylor faced head-on, particularly in fighting for the roles she wanted. Remarkably, Taylor became the first actress—indeed, the first actor—paid $1 million for a film, highlighting her influence and stature in Hollywood.

Burstein further explores Taylor’s vulnerability, revealing her struggles with insecurity despite her larger-than-life persona. Taylor’s taped reflections show her grappling with her public image and the way people perceived her, both as an actress and a woman. This multifaceted portrayal allows viewers to see Taylor in a new light, understanding her as both a powerful figure and someone who faced immense personal challenges.

Burstein came across the tapes while they were in the possession of journalist Richard Meryman’s wife, who discovered them after his death. Initially recorded for a biography, the tapes remained unreleased until recently, offering fresh insights into Taylor’s life. The recordings, spanning 40 hours, were a treasure trove that Burstein and her team meticulously edited to create the documentary.

Burstein incorporates an interview from 1985 to give a comprehensive view of Taylor’s life beyond 1964. This segment covers Taylor’s charitable work with AmFAR and her battle with addiction, showcasing her evolution into a philanthropist using her fame for greater good. The documentary emphasizes how Taylor transformed her infamy into a superpower, especially during the AIDS crisis when she actively campaigned for awareness and support.

To sum up, the documentary depicts a legend whose life was filled with contradictions, successes, and struggles. Elizabeth Taylor lived life on her terms, and her story remains relevant and compelling. “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” offers a deep dive into her fascinating world and the complicated life of a Hollywood icon who dared to defy societal norms and expectations.

“Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” begins streaming on Max on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Source: HBO, Salon