Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf - fragment

[@The22on]

2:45 - "...but it was the grandest day of my... youth. Great line, perfectly delivered. I just watched an interview with Mike Nichols and he said a technician messed up the filming of this scene. Nichols said to use it anyway because Burton could never recapture that perfect performance. I always remembered that 'bergen and water' story. It was so sad, and so intense. Bravo to Albee for writing that story and bravo to Burton for a memorable performance. He should have won Best Actor.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Yes, he should, no doubt! This scene was, as you said made in one take and when it comes to deliver a great monologue, Burton was the master. I often think about some of his other movies, for example Anne of the Thousand days (once again nominated for the Academy Award, lost to John Wayne), there he had lots of monologues and show total brilliance and what great acting is about.

[@2034916]

This picture would never have been the great film it was without Richard Burton. A perfect performance.

[@kingcole1012]

He barely shows any expression and yet not only are you completely captivated but you feel every emotion. Truly brilliant

[@kingsworthlionsblood]

The empty thousand yard stare while still conveying a flickering candlelight upon the sadness, the madness and trauma of his youth--as you realize he his the boy that he's speaking about! That performance was so sublime yet seductive because of the sinister overtones which oozed from the primordial viscera!

[@kingsworthlionsblood]

That epic soliloquy is a rival with the one Robert Shaw does as Captain Quint speaking about the sinking of the Indianapolis in Jaws. Same haunting vibe loaded with subtle nuance that captivates you!

[@gizzycatcat6468]

Richard Burton is one of our greatest. His monologue of whatever just shows us he can keep us all entranced by his voice! I can't get enough.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Either can I, he was amazing!

[@The22on]

That voice and accent!

[@WhiteAbenaki]

The backstory of George that you never fully get, but you know he's been through hell. Makes his attachment to his wife all the more complex and necessary.

[@garrison968]

This was one of Burton's very best performances. IMO, its the definitive performance of George.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Yes, it was, along with every other film, every stage performance on the Old Vic and everything he was involved with in his entire life. He had no second place in anything. Number One!

[@jamescollinson2456]

One of the most haunting monologues ever put on film. Could the story have been created by George as a metaphor of his own life? It's a shame there's a gap at the beginning.

[@2011littleguy]

In my opinion, this is the finest five minutes of acting ever filmed.

[@kentucy9999]

IMO this movie has the best dialogue in the history of cinema and as a realistic depiction of a marriage and fundamental adult interaction between the four people is unrivaled in the history of cinema IMO. The performances are magnificent. The ambiance of the movie is magnificent. It is riveting. I can't tell you what my favorite line is or scene. I love "better, best, bested." Of course the scene at the restaurant is remarkable. Obviously the movie is very sad in a way but exhilerating too.

[@is6441]

Brilliant actor with stunning performance, he should have really won the Oscar

[@jamescollinson2179]

Six times nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and once for Best Supporting Actor without a win. It's been said that life is not fair and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences makes damn sure it isn't.

[@DarrenMcGill442]

Mesmerizing performance! I need to watch this scene every few years or so. So chilling and cryptic! Burton is amazing

[@2011littleguy]

I, too, watch this scene about once or twice every year.

[@thomashogan4908]

Word for word, the finest performance Burton ever gave. When first I saw this I was riveted in my seat. Fabulous and somehow shocking,

[@Katenex]

Word for word, this man is a legend.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Yes, he is - STILL!!! Visited Céligny a few years ago, his home. It was a magic feeling to see his house, visit the pub with several photos of him on the wall and here the conversations about him, all the memories and of course his grave. He has been my great idol all my life and it was a sad moment, very sad. He was the greatest!

[@tomhamilton5261]

@@larsnilsson8949 totally agree. One of the greatest actors ever.

[@larsnilsson8949]

@@tomhamilton5261 YES!!!!

[@boothinator1000]

So demented, whilst at the same time intuitive and impactful somehow. Brilliance from the playwriter.

[@WendyKroy77]

Wow this was masterfully and beautifully acted.

[@gilharrison8696]

there are two monologues that stand out to me, one is Robert Shaw in "Jaws", ... this is the other one.

[@mysticmouse7261]

What profound beautiful poetry

[@NoRosesForMe]

I will always be in love with RIchard Burton. Sweet gawd * sigh *

[@bawoman]

that voice, and those sad blue eyes....

[@vikingsong2068]

He was a Brit, Welsh to be precise. Good folk.

[@graphitepants6522]

Best scene in the entire film.

[@KhanKhan-rs9tt]

This movie is nоw аvailable tо watch herе => twitter.com/8a1f0353311c602ec/status/795843648935972865 Whо s afrаaаid of Virginia Woolf fragment

[@cokeguts8977]

madison symons I love how the fog comes and the way you can see the bark on the tree behind him. It gives it a realistic feel.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Yes, I agree! Burton is magnificent! Can´t get enough of this amazing actor or his superb performances, not only in this movie, but several, Becket, The Night of the Iguana, Wagner.

[@Samantha-ql3qi]

What an actor. He leaves you breathless.

[@larsnilsson8949]

Here we se what real acting is about, Richard Burton was once again nominated for an Academy Award, but lost once again. He should have won, no doubt! The Greatest actor, both on film and in the theater, he was totally amazing as an actor.

[@Orion-yd4jy]

No different than revisiting, over many years, a violin concerto of a Mozart. I find myself revisiting this scene quite often.

[@Lucia0672]

I will never understand why he never won an oscar...

[@renegaderunner332]

He left his wife and children for Elizabeth Taylor. Back in those days, that was bad PR! Hollywood was going to never give him an Oscar for that reason.

[@franknberry6397]

He never won because he was not well liked in Hollywood. When he first arrived in Hollywwood in the early 50's he had multiple affairs with married women and ruined many marriages. He left when the movies he made didn't do well. That's why he latched on to Elizabeth Taylor when they made "Cleopatra". It was his second chance. But he was remembered for his behavior.

[@karllieck9064]

@@renegaderunner332 But Hollywood gives slappin' Will Smith an Oscar. All righty then. Smh.

[@karllieck9064]

@@franknberry6397 Yeah, the people that ran Hollywood had impeccable moral standards. Pfffffttttt! Burton should have won the Oscar for this performance regardless of his personal life. Proffessionals should be able to seperate great talent from odious personalities when giving out awards.

[@renegaderunner332]

Come on now! Tat slap was epic! I thought it was staged! It was worthy of an Oscar! LOL!

[@frankthebunny6403]

This entire monologue will be my epitaph

[@yonahmusicemporium5787]

has not uttered....one....sound. except....."more burg-en!"

[@jckfmsincty]

Interesting point. I never thought about it this way. I think Albee intended George and Martha to have been an abstract, homosexual couple in the most concrete of American settings: a small town, liberal arts college in New England in the 1960's. They are a tortured couple by societal rules, and, in turn, they torment each other. But, they love each other. No one else understands them because they are not the "normal couple" they long to be. This is the best American play ever filmed.

[@eveltwin70]

This is the best movie to watch while you are getting drunk.

[@DonAlex63]

I agree, the three greatest drunk films of all time are Virginia Woolf, The Iceman Cometh, and Husbands.

[@williamkazak469]

I love this soliguay and I have read it to audiences. I have always wondered if he was reading cue cards for this. It is a lot to remember, especially the various phrases and sentance constructions. The pauses are masterful.

[@jamescollinson2456]

There's no indication from any eye movement that he was reading his lines on cue cards. A veteran stage actor like Burton was used to memorizing pages of dialogue.

[@lulumariemissypu]

He's telling his own story-chilling how stuck up his father in law (not to mention princess Martha ) was, that they would expoit, instead of overlook a simple and innocent mistake. Brilliant story-and sad sad sad.

[@mildredpierce3400]

I thought their son was made up. A figment because they couldnt have kids. .right

[@TheBadGuy235]

Hot damn, that's acting.

[@cabuscus]

Studying this play for drama and trying to clasp with georges character is rather fun

[@bazzbazzley]

Never touch it...it's as great as Gatsby. Like the Mona Lisa .,..it doesn't needs words.

[@gizzycatcat6468]

Richard Burton is THE MAN!

[@greatmusicfan57]

Burton was robbed of the Oscar for this. He was also fab in Night of the Iguana. He was one of the best actors of the 20th century. His sweetie (ET) wasn't such a bad actor herself either. Just don't make em like this anymore. We have good actors today, but it is the writing that is lacking. Colin Firth was Brill in the King's Speech as was Mr. Rush. Daniel Day Lewis was great in Lincoln, but as fabulous as they are, they are no Burton

[@larsnilsson8949]

Right on the spot, good actors today? Of course, there are many, but no one of the actors of today can compete with the great, great Richard Burton. He was the greatest, still is. the True Master.

[@garyaugustus1009]

Sir Anthony Hopkins' talent is also wasted in this untoward generation..

[@jamesdean6478]

great movie great acting i watch it every weekend almost

[@supernice_auto]

That's a little excessive no? Lol

[@lray1948]

"The Lost Weekend" with Ray Milland is good too

[@Lucia0672]

According to Mike Nichols, Burton acted this scene just ONCE...Yes, it's a masterpiece!

[@larsnilsson8949]

Yes, they made the scene in only one take. Masterpiece! Yes, no doubt!

[@The22on]

George Segal was great also, ven though he didn't say much in this scene. I love how he starts to speak but the liquor has made him have to clear his throat. He says, "Wh..ud..... what happened to the boy?" And he doesn't overplay it. His eyes stay on Burton.

[@kingsworthlionsblood]

Nailing that in one take? Had to be the only way! It feels like a live theatrical performance! There are no do-overs live. I wondered if they had to do any retakes or reshoots or edits for that scene. My hunch was you have to hit that grand-slam on the first pitch cuz you can't replicate it!

[@jckfmsincty]

And, Burton lost the Best Actor Oscar this year to Paul Scofield for his drab performance in "A Man for All Seasons"? WHAT?????

[@larsnilsson8949]

I agree! "What??? Paul Scofield is great, but he is not Richard Burton, there is only one actor with the title: Best Actor: Richard Burton and no one else! The Greatest!!!

[@kentucy9999]

One of the best movies of all time in my opinion. The best dialogue of all time. There are quite a few people who wouldn't like it..........they'd find it to be depressing {and I understand that} but for someone like me {"a navel starer"..........what's that? Someone very conscious of the uncertainties, the insecurities the vagaries the absurdities, the "what's the meaning of all this" of life} it is the ultimate film. Taylor's performance and Burton's performance are incredible {and I thought Richard Burton was just as good as Elizabeth} but I also thought George Segal and Sandy Dennis were very good. There are so many great scenes in this movie I wouldn't even know where to start. "Better, best, bested."......................Question. Do you think Taylor and Burton {their characters} had a son themselves who was either dead or maybe in an institution of some kind? I always got the feeling from the movie that "the sprout" was a child they had who was either limited in some way or had died.

[@DM-mt7km]

It's impossible that Richard Burton didn't win the Oscar for this performance, but he didn't. Sad. Sad. Sad.

[@jamescollinson2179]

Here in a stunning monologue Richard Burton reveals his enormous depth and power as an actor. Although Burton was not the greatest actor of his generation he certainly could have been, but he went for the money and fame instead.

[@enriquemendiola490]

If he stayed in England.

[@richie9308]

And alcohol.

[@racheledwards2352]

He should've won an Oscar

[@gizzykatkat9687]

Genius.

[@scotgat]

I am convinced that American cinema is about the American psyche and its history and future. If you take a very perverse reading or interpretation of this scene, you could almost imagine that George's description of the boy who unwittingly killed his mother with a shotgun was Adam Lanza.

[@nedd.8479]

Anyone who says that Burton was a one-note actor has clearly never watched this.

[@richardblack6695]

superb

[@Mugwump187]

Burton describing the life cycle of the meme.

[@martintalbot875]

The Oscar winning performance Burton failed to win...what a shame..

[@MWorsa]

My favorite movie.

[@Scorchfield]

@linny50 thx for posting

[@zcaedmonster]

i don't understand the whole "bergin & water" thing. would someone explain it?

[@CaminoAir]

I haven't seen the film in a long time. Is Burton talking about himself here, or is he merging his backstory with another's to make a point. George couldn't really know this much detail about another person's life.

[@eastvandb]

Eventually it comes out that he's talking about himself.

[@CaminoAir]

David Bloom Thanks, I appreciate your clarification.

[@The22on]

David Bloom Really? He's talking about himself? I never would have guessed! Are you sure? Because this sheds a whole new light on this "story"!

[@The22on]

Where does it "come out" that's it's abut him?

[@eastvandb]

Two places. When Martha is drunk she tells the story of how George wrote a "disgusting" novel about a boy who had killed his own parents and the Dean was appalled by it but George said, "But, sir, all of this happened… To ME!" Towards the end of the play George kills of their imaginary son with that same story.

[@pedrobakale7180]

"...I won't tell you... " LOL

[@Scorchfield]

@bazzbazzley yes, however harsh words! thx!

[@IrishFriendsFan]

Can someone explain to me about the boy! Was he influenced by this tail to torture Martha about killing their son, or was he intentionally (indirectly) talking about their made up son here.

[@revokdaryl1]

It's autobiographical. He was actually talking about himself. George accidentally killed his mother with a shotgun, and then his father in the car accident later. There's a great deal of evidence that the boy he's talking about is himself as a young boy. Martha revealed this when she told Honey and Nick that George told her father this story was in fact true and was about him.

[@WendyKroy77]

@RichardElden: so?

[@jamescollinson2179]

The brief segments of the movie, especially with Richard Burton like this one, are much better than the movie as a whole which had some scenes that did not work well.

[@flashfish2005]

Why in God's name did you clip off the first part of his speech..?

[@jamescollinson2179]

It's a shame. Maybe just a technical glitch, but I wish there was a better video of this scene available. It's one of the finest monologues ever put on film.

[@brunavinsky]

Because near Lizzy It was impossible, too shiny

[@lomertamahon1]

People that continue to waste time on booze and cigarettes, sitting around idly, after the age of 40, making small talk a routine, must lead boring lives.

[@alidayyani7079]

بلی، هنر تک گویی، و یا سخنرانی، نقش تعین کننده دارد در پی بردن به توان بازیگر از طریق این ریزه کاری‌های استانیسلاوسکی وار، میتوان پی برد به روح و روان بازیگر به مرگ گفتم: کشف ذره بین استانیسلاوسکی برای من، از روی تفریح نبوده است، بلکه محور اندیشوار دارد. از طریق روان بودن درون رود معیار ها، عیان تر میشود زبان بازیگر تاریخ سرودن: جمعه ۲۴ مارچ ۲۰۲۳ برابر با ۴ فروردین ۱۴۰۲ ساعت ۲۰ و ۳۰ دقیقه

[@g3org33r3]

Bergin. hahahahahahaha