Divorce His - Divorce Hers (1973) (TV)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writer:

John Hopkins (written by)

Release Date:

6 February 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

The story of the breakup of an 18-year marriage, as seen from the points of view of both the husband and the wife.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Battle Of The Sexes | Wife And Husband Lead Actors | Male Female Relationship | Failing Marriage

Cast

Richard Burton	...	Martin Reynolds
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Jane Reynolds
Carrie Nye	...	Diana Proctor
Barry Foster	...	Donald Trenton
Gabriele Ferzetti	...	Turi Livicci
Daniela Surina	...	Franca
Thomas Baptiste	...	Minister
Ronald Radd	...	Angus McIntyre
Rudolph Walker	...	Kaduna
Mark Colleano	...	Tommy Reynolds
Rosalyn Landor	...	Peggy Reynolds
Eva Griffiths	...	Judith Reynolds (as Eva Griffith)
Marietta Meade	...	Gina (as Marietta Schupp)

Runtime:

USA:180 min (2 parts)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Company:

World Film Services

Trivia:

This was Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's only made-for-television movie together.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Judith Reynolds: Daddy!
Martin Reynolds: Darling! How you've grown! Is Mummy in?
Judith Reynolds: Mummy isn't here. She went out.
Martin Reynolds: Didn't she get my cable?

The Star Appeal Of The Two Leads Comprises The Narrow Range Of Interest Here.

The real-life first marriage of the two stars is nearing its own point of divorce during the creation of this torpid film, the last wherein Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor are teamed, and this provides probably the only reason for watching what is at best an exercise in costly kitsch. Produced by the Welsh National Network, HTV Harlech, the work scripted by John Hopkins was made for television to be seen on consecutive evenings, ostensibly presenting first the standpoint of Burton's character Martin Reynolds and latterly that of Taylor's part - his wife Jane - as their 18 year marriage decomposes. As presented, the two seem to have agreed upon the general causes of the passage of events, as there is little variance between any of the scenes supposedly contemplated separately by the married pair and a lack of posture from the scriptor becomes a fatal flaw for the narrative. A large portion of the picture involves Martin's relationship with his employer, and since this requires continual global travel, marital strain ensues, with this intended ancillary plot regarding his career choice becoming the trunk of the scenario, instead of the union between Martin and Jane. Director Waris Hussein has a less than marvelous assignment in eliciting meaningful performances from Burton and Taylor, disastrously failing at it although Burton's innate intensity gives some life to most of his scenes despite the too often fatuous dialogue around which he seems too weary to ad lib. The excellent Italian actor Gabriele Ferzetti smoothly deals with a pallid part as Jane's latest lover, Carrie Nye emotes outrageously as the "other woman" and Barry Foster does well as Martin's sturdy adjutant, but we are never really shown why the couple's marriage is ending, a point not adequately addressed by scattershot plotting.