There was no Yugoslavia until 1918. Yugoslavia was created when 6 republics (Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Slovenia) previously under the Austro-Hungarian Empire or the Ottoman Empire's rule formed to become one nation led by Marshal Josip Broz - code named Tito. "But it is almost inevitable that some members will be more influential than others," one diplomat observed. "And besides, a lot of the real power in this country isn’t based in the institutions of the state but in the party and the Army."
Under Tito's leadership, Yugoslavia broke away from the Soviet bloc’s central economic planning in 1948 (seen by many as Tito's "finest international hour") when it rejected the orthodox Marxist-Leninism model and implemented its own model of non-aligned foreign policy and socialist/capitalist economics called "incentive socialism" (or Titoism).
Although the model brought Yugoslavia much prosperity, the country also suffered a 26% inflation rate and had a huge trade balance.
In breaking away, Yugoslavia won the respect of the Free World as well as Moscow. Margaret Thatcher pointed out in 1980, "Tito was our staunch ally in war and our countries have become firm friends in peace. Tito created modern Yugoslavia and ensured its lasting independence." In 1974, Tito was elected President-for-life.
One politician explained, "The name Tito means self-management, independence, fraternity and unity, non-alignment and socialism."
Jovanka (pronounced Yo-Vahn-Ka) Broz insisted, "It is not an easy job. It requires a lot of a man. Yugoslavia, because of its geographical location, is the bridge between East and West." Noting “some of us are rather advanced in years" in 1969, Tito (born in 1892) took steps to ensure an orderly succession. He created a 15-man executive bureau (a kind of inner cabinet). However one Yugoslavia-watcher argued at the time, "Of course there can be no succession to Tito. The job of state and party leader which Tito now combines will have to be split up."
In the wake of his death in 1980 one politician voiced, "Tito is one, Tito is a historic personality. We in the future certainly will not look for a new Tito because there isn’t one. And there will be none for a long time to come." At the same time, the Free World wondered, "Tito’s place in the 20th century will to a great extent depend on what happens during the next 20 years. One fact, however, is clear today: He was the catalyst for Yugoslavia…."
In 1971, Richard Burton played Tito in the motion picture, 'Sutjeska', the name of a river in Bosnia. The movie was based on the 1943 Battle of Sutjeska. "After you've played all the big roles in Shakespeare, you're stuck. First, there's nothing big enough left for you to play, and second, you don't want to be playing anything very much smaller," Richard lamented.
Since she was a teenager, Elizabeth Taylor had been the No. 1 box-office performer. After his marriage to Liz, Richard Burton also became a box-office favorite. Their power as entertainers made the Burtons sought after stars. Of 'Sutjeska', Richard recounted, "It began earlier this year (1971) with a call from the Yugoslav Embassy in London saying the Ambassador wanted to see me…..'I see, you want me to play Tito!' I said. They said that, indeed, was their wish. I happened to know quite a bit about Tito. He seemed a uniquely interesting person....He was the only Eastern European leader not to have been placed in that position by (Josef) Stalin."
Initially "there was nothing for me to play…It had been written equivocally, so that (Tito) could not possibly be offended….Finally, I asked Wolf Mankowitz if he would do the script. He did, and in 10 days he'd changed the form of the Tito role.…(Tito) was obviously very worried about the whole idea of the film…..I wrote to him later saying he must realize that he would have a final veto on any part he found unsuitable…"
Then "I went to Brioni (Tito's home) with Elizabeth for 3 days. We talked from midday until we went to bed and it was fascinating. He speaks English slowly but very accurately. President Tito's wife was a partisan, a great fighter, I understand. You can see very quickly that underneath her charm there is a very strong woman. But she did not participate in that battle, and the Yugoslavs are remaining faithful to the facts."
Of acting, Richard confessed, "I can watch (Laurence) Olivier forever because he's always adding some new trick or wheeze to what he's doing. 'Simple,' he says, 'acting is just one bag of tricks!' And he makes it look simple. I have to work hard at it." Of 'Sutjeska', Jovanka thought, "We think it will be all right. There are some similarities in their characters."
In 1971, Richard Burton played Tito in the motion picture, 'Sutjeska', the name of a river in Bosnia. The movie was based on the 1943 Battle of Sutjeska. "After you've played all the big roles in Shakespeare, you're stuck. First, there's nothing big enough left for you to play, and second, you don't want to be playing anything very much smaller," Richard lamented.
Since she was a teenager, Elizabeth Taylor had been the No. 1 box-office performer. After his marriage to Liz, Richard Burton also became a box-office favorite. Their power as entertainers made the Burtons sought after stars. Of 'Sutjeska', Richard recounted, "It began earlier this year (1971) with a call from the Yugoslav Embassy in London saying the Ambassador wanted to see me…..'I see, you want me to play Tito!' I said. They said that, indeed, was their wish. I happened to know quite a bit about Tito. He seemed a uniquely interesting person....He was the only Eastern European leader not to have been placed in that position by (Josef) Stalin."
Initially "there was nothing for me to play…It had been written equivocally, so that (Tito) could not possibly be offended….Finally, I asked Wolf Mankowitz if he would do the script. He did, and in 10 days he'd changed the form of the Tito role.…(Tito) was obviously very worried about the whole idea of the film…..I wrote to him later saying he must realize that he would have a final veto on any part he found unsuitable…"
Then "I went to Brioni (Tito's home) with Elizabeth for 3 days. We talked from midday until we went to bed and it was fascinating. He speaks English slowly but very accurately. President Tito's wife was a partisan, a great fighter, I understand. You can see very quickly that underneath her charm there is a very strong woman. But she did not participate in that battle, and the Yugoslavs are remaining faithful to the facts."
Of acting, Richard confessed, "I can watch (Laurence) Olivier forever because he's always adding some new trick or wheeze to what he's doing. 'Simple,' he says, 'acting is just one bag of tricks!' And he makes it look simple. I have to work hard at it." Of 'Sutjeska', Jovanka thought, "We think it will be all right. There are some similarities in their characters."
