Robert Hardy, a veteran character actor and an old friend of Burton, described West's performance as "hopeless," saying he "wasn't tough enough, he wasn't dangerous enough, he wasn't Welsh enough." However, he appreciated Bonham-Carter's performance, saying she was "brilliant, absolutely brilliant" because she "got the spirit of her and sounded like her."
Helena Bonham Carter plays Elizabeth Taylor, who was married to a famous Burton [Richard Burton]. In real life, Bonham Carter was in a relationship with another famous Burton [Tim Burton] for over 10 years.
Elizabeth Taylor was previously married to Eddie Fisher, the father of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) star Carrie Fisher. Dominic West appeared in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999).
Lucille Sharp's debut.