'Lost Tapes' documentary

The new HBO documentary 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes' utilizes over 40 hours of previously unreleased interviews with the actress recorded in 1964 by journalist Richard Meryman, providing an intimate look at her life during a tumultuous period marked by her fourth and fifth marriages. Directed by Nanette Burstein, the film showcases rare home movies and personal anecdotes, revealing Taylor's complex relationship with fame, which she described as feeling like a 'public utility.' The tapes, which were discovered by Meryman's widow years after his death, highlight Taylor's candidness and vulnerability, including her reflections on love, health struggles, and public scrutiny. Burstein emphasizes that Taylor was the first modern celebrity, constantly judged by the public, a theme echoed in her own words during the interviews. The documentary invites viewers to see not just the glamorous persona but the real woman behind the icon, exploring her friendships and the support she found during her challenges. 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes' premiered on HBO on August 3 and is now available for streaming on Max.