The Elizabeth Taylor Story DVD

Renowned for her legendary beauty and startling violet eyes Oscar-winning actress Elizabeth Taylor has mesmerized audiences as much with her private life as her dramatic performances on the silver screen. Spectacular film clips photographs and interviews with friends and colleagues document a life lived in the public eye. On February 27 1932 in London England Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born to Francis and Sara Taylor an art dealer and former actress both from the United States. The family which included Elizabeth's older brother Howard enjoyed a lavish lifestyle... in England but when Europe erupted in war in 1939 the Taylors relocated to Beverly Hills California where Francis became employed at an art gallery nearby. While in California Sara Taylor devoted her energy to establishing an acting career for her young daughter. Elizabeth's big break came in 1943 with the MGM hit Lassie Come Home and with her next film National Velvet the 12-year-old cemented her celebrity status in Hollywood. The young starlet blossomed into a teenager and began to assert her independence. After several whirlwind romances 18-year-old Taylor married hotel heir Conrad Hilton known to friends as Nicky. The marriage showed signs of strain from the very beginning and Taylor soon filed for divorce. The young actress zealously pursued her acting career co-starring with James Dean and Rock Hudson in the 1956 hit film Giant but Taylor's success was often overshadowed by her private life. Between 1953 and 1961 the actress married and divorced three more times. Her union with Michael Wilding produced two sons and her marriage to Mike Todd produced daughter Liza. She also adopted a daughter while married to musician Eddie Fisher. In 1961 Taylor won her first Academy Award for Butterfield 8. She also began one of Hollywood's most passionate - and high profile - romances. Richard Burton her co-star in 20th Century Fox's Cleopatra shared Taylor's extravagant tastes and the couple enjoyed a privileged lifestyle supported by their burgeoning careers. Taylor and Burton went on to marry and divorce twice. Battling addiction Taylor checked herself into the Betty Ford Clinic in 1983. The actress' willpower was tested when she learned of Burton's death in 1984 and discovered friend Rock Hudson's battle with AIDS the following year. Taylor would devote much of her life to raising funds and awareness for the devastating disease. In 1988 after launching her multi-million dollar fragrance empire with Elizabeth Taylor's Passion the exhausted 55-year-old actress re-entered the Betty Ford Clinic and while there met 35-year-old construction worker Larry Fortensky. The unlikely duo was married in 1991 at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The last decade of Taylor's life has seen her through her eighth divorce a hip replacement and brain surgery. The resilient actress has also returned to her one unvarying love - acting. She has made countless television appearances including ABC's These Old Broads with Shirley MacLaine Joan Collins and Debbie Reynolds. Whether with her personal life or her stunning performances the two-time Oscar-winning actress continues to create a sensation six decades after her film debut. [show more]

Read More