Star-studded Shropshire: Remember when Ellesmere College was backdrop to a 1978 Richard Burton psychological thriller?

Our archive picture captures Burton, for whom it was among his last films, with Billy Connolly, the singer and comedian whose venture into movies was just beginning, as this was his debut film role.

As for Ellesmere College, it played the part of a Catholic boarding school called St Anthony's which is the backdrop for the action.

Among other notable names in the cast were David Bradley, who had had his breakthrough as a young actor in Kes.

Burton, who was famously twice married to Liz Taylor, was at the time married to Suzy, the former wife of the British racing driver and ex-Formula One champion James Hunt, and she was a glamorous presence during the shoot, which ran for five weeks from April. Some scenes were shot at Pinewood Studios.

Cast and crew stayed locally, with Burton staying at the Redbrook Hunting Lodge, near Whitchurch, according to memories on the internet. Some say Ellesmere College students were used as extras, while according to others the college was closed for the holidays and the boarders had gone home, so boys from nearby Lakelands School were used - perhaps it was a mixture of both.

Connolly played the part of a vagrant biker who sets up camp in woods near the school. Burton played Father Goddard, a priest and form master who faces mental torment as a result of what he is told in the sanctity of the confessional, which the vow of secrecy means he must keep to himself.

Absolution had mixed reviews, but some now consider it a classic of its kind. Although premiered in the UK in December 1978, it didn't go on general release until 1981. In America it was not released until 1988, by which time Burton had been dead for four years.

Explaining the delay at the time, producer Elliott Kastner said: "Legal problems. Money was owed. A bank foreclosed against the film. Litigation followed, and it took until last year to pay off the debt."

Burton was so keen on the film that he did it for a fraction of his usual fee.

In 2010 local extras Sue Hinks, head housekeeper at the college, and Carol Thompson, who was the bursar's secretary, shared their memories with the BBC.

Sue, who said she was paid about £50, did not recall Burton being particularly friendly with the extras.

"Richard Burton was quite snooty to be honest."

She remembered that Connolly's motorcycle - it was a BSA - was serviced by Scott's Garage in Ellesmere.

Carol remembered Connolly as being fun and friendly, while Burton was more aloof.

She was asked to get Burton's autographs for her daughter's friends, which was done through a minder.

"I used to give him the autograph books in the morning and then he would deliver them back at some point later."

And she wasn't a fan of the final product: "I thought it was a pretty rotten film."