Saturday, August 10, 2024

'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes' A Review

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes is a documentary about the life and career of the titular actor. Through montage of archival footage and stills and audio interviews with Taylor her story is told.

The film is surprisingly compelling given the real spine of it is only audio. Director Nanette Burstein and editor Tal Ben-David weave together, from what seem like spare parts, an, if not totally complete, but a relatively in-depth and honest look at who Taylor was and why she was the way she was. A feat not many projects like this are able even to aspire to let alone attain. 

Because the "lost tapes" were recorded in 1964 Taylor doesn't address her substance abuse or her later life, the 80's through to her death are mostly skimmed over in the last several minutes. Yet it does feel like her and the way the film is put together we can understand what her professional and (non-existent) personal life look and felt like. It feels a bit like a time-capsule and its nice to hear her voice again.

One of the best of its genre.

Currently streaming on Max.

See It.

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