A movie about the early life of actor Richard Burton, who was born in a Welsh mining town, is scheduled to be released in the year marking the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Mr. Burton stars Harry Lawtey as a young Burton and Toby Jones as teacher Philip Burton who identified and nurtured the young actor's dramatic talent.
Richard Burton, who passed away in 1984 at the age of 58, starred in the Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra, and was notable for his impressive performances in the stage play Under Milk Wood, based on Dylan Thomas's work, as well as his Shakespearean roles.
The film highlights a relationship that had a "profound impact" on Burton's life, according to producer Ed Talfan.
The film recounts the real-life story of troubled teenager Richard Jenkins, born in 1925 in Pontrhydyfen, a valley within the Neath Port Talbot region.
Burton's father, Richard Jenkins, was a miner, and the film, which is set to be released in April, explores the challenges his family encountered while he was growing up.
His talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton, played by Bafta winner Toby Jones, who had recently appeared as Alan Bates in Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office.
Philip, with the assistance of landlady, Ma Smith, played by Lesley Manville, aids Richard in securing his first acting opportunity.
He later became Richard's legal guardian, following which he adopted the surname Burton.
Burton is famously known for his struggles with alcoholism and his complicated romantic relationships, having been married five times, including two marriages to Elizabeth Taylor, with whom he co-starred in 11 films.
His remarkable journey, starting from a life of poverty in a Welsh mining town and rising to fame in Hollywood, remains an enduring source of inspiration.
There's a tremendous sense of national pride surrounding Richard Burton, according to the film's producer, Ed Talfan. He is often regarded as the guiding light of Welsh cinema.
"He rose from a very challenging, impoverished upbringing to achieve global fame," he said.
The film, directed by fellow Welsh director Marc Evans and written by Tom Bullough, focuses primarily on Richard in his late teens, during World War Two, when Philip Burton tutored him.
The film also features Steffan Rhodri as Richard's father, Dic Jenkins, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Aneurin Barnard as Cis and Elfed, respectively, Richard's sister and brother-in-law.
The trailer suggests that his struggles with alcoholism stemmed from his past, and portrays the discrimination faced by working-class actors in the 1940s and early 1950s.
"This is just the beginning of his journey," Mr. Talfan said.
Actors from previous generations would have been expected to speak in the traditional Queen's English, but Burton was comfortable with where he came from, Mr Talfan said.
"He successfully adapted his voice without losing any of his Welsh identity. You can hear the same thing in Anthony Hopkins," Mr. Talfan said.
He was an enormous breath of fresh air.