The subject of mentorship is not treated frequently onscreen, but Mr. Burton may be remembered as one of the definitive explorations of the theme.

It’s a little disappointing that “Mr. Burton” remains so coy around Philip’s inner life and yearnings, though Jones’s graceful, precise performance in nuanced in its unspoken implications.

In essence, it’s a great story, yet the final scenes, which take us out of Wales to London and Stratford, don’t quite work

The point that Burton makes to Jenkins, time and again, is that as an instructor, his role is not to encourage his pupil, but to see if his pupil feels compelled to succeed even when discouraged.