Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s life and marriage (twice!) is the stuff of legend. We were quite taken-aback at these recent extracts from his diaries, which reveal the time they had in the Kruger National Park and Johannesburg. He details his love for Liz, his imminent second marriage with her and his battle with the booze.

This, from Huffington Post:

OCTOBER 1975

Wednesday 1st, Chobe – Kruger Land-Rovered through real bush. Non-tourist route to lose press. E took snap after snap of you name it she took it. Result – no film in the camera and eleven bruises around her body where she banged herself against the turret of Rover. She did it again!

Friday 3rd, Johannesburg Jetted to J’burg. E was in agony to the point of tears which she hid from me but I am now unfoolable. I scratched her back and held her hand. E went for X-ray of ribs. No cracks but two spots on lung. We must make them go away.

Saturday 4th The most agonizing hour of my life ended at approx 1pm. Yesterday I mean. I had spent the previous hours back to approx 4pm Thursday in the most terrible fear for Elizabeth’s and my life. Sleep was no palliative. I am still suffering from delayed shock and will in a lesser form, I think, continue to suffer for the rest of my life. E was incomparably brave. I love her mindlessly and hopelessly.

(Taylor suffered a temporary scare over her health when a chest X-ray was believed to reveal the possibility of lung cancer, only for this to be discounted within hours.)

Monday 6th E in splendid form and a trifle tiddly but sweetly so when we went to Sol’s house for a late (very late!) lunch. Then E with what seems like aid and abettance from Adele (P.R.O. [Public Relations Officer] for Sunshine Hotels) that E and I should get married in Chobe this week I thought they were joking and said so. But E turned out to be serious. Result the latter half of the day a series of ½ joking, ½ bitter invective from E. I told her that I was afraid! Literally afraid, at the moment, that marriage might horrifyingly end in divorce. We will of course get married again if E so wishes but until I get over my fear and since I am, at least, deliriously happy at the moment why spoil it!

Read the rest here – it gets really interesting

You know they’re using Lindsay Lohan as Liz Taylor, in a new movie about Liz and Richard? I shudder at the thought..

Although some people think the likeness is quote remarkable. Look here.