Becket

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Starring: Richard Burton
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Peter Glenville
Studio: MPI Home Video
Release Date: 2007-05-15
Running Time: 150 minutes
Made in 1964, but set in 12th-century England, this is the fact-based story of Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his dear friend, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Richard Burton). When the king appoints his former drinking buddy to the high religious office, he believes he has placed an ally into power. Instead, he learns that Thomas very much takes his job to heart, prompting Henry to ask that fateful question--"Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

This won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, and it is a strong example of finely tuned performances--both leading men received Academy Award nominations for their roles. There is much passion and rage on the screen, but the beauty of their performances is that we always know that love is there as well. The film, shot on location in England, is also visually appealing. Trivia buffs may be interested to know that Peter O'Toole played Henry II four years later in The Lion in Winter. --Rochelle O'Gorman

highly recommended
In a few words, this movie provides a high class of acting for today's actors so they may do good in watching it before calling themselves "actors". While Thomas Becket's role played by Richard Burton is a fine performance, Peter O'Toole in his role of Henry II is just attonishing. Besides that, the movie offers an interesting and entertaining episode of the conflict between religion (and its associated morality) and politics that could easily be extended to our current times. This is the framework that causes a love and hate relationship between Henry and Becket. This movie goes along similar lines as "A man for all seasons" or "A lion in winter" if you would like to try similar some features. Technically, a very nice digital transfer with a good sound too. Audio is provided in both English and Spanish. Sadly, only English subtitles were included.

Arresting and Regal Medieval Spectacle
I am reminded, amid viewing the solemnity of this epic that one should never go to the movies for a history lesson.
We begin our story in the early 1170s where a procession of monks and crowds of commoners wait outside Canterbury Cathedral for the arrival of King Henry II (Peter O'Toole)to do penance at the tomb of the slain Archbishop, Thomas Becket (a classically charismatic Richard Burton, very much in his element). Dismounting from his horse, he bestrides the steps of the Cathedral, enters, and approaches the tomb with his two attendants in tow, garbed in a red cape and a simple shift( As red is the color of Catholic martyrdom, the color of the cloak evokes some speculation). Soon, both cloak and shift are removed as the king hunches down for penance, and begins a wistful reminiscence about a tragic path from friendship to enmity.
Laurence Rosenthal's score captures the early years of the tempestuous duo as a glorious romp through the English countryside, barely escaping by dawn's early light after a tryst with a farmer's daughter (Linda Marlowe), and whereas actual accounts of Becket's life state that he was celebate and abstainant from vice, this version of his life has him arranging more than one such encounter with the opposite sex ( and joining him in these escapades) when he isn't running Henry's court.
Interestingly, Jean Anouilh's play-turned-film ignores the fact of the main character's having been of Norman extraction, and makes him a Saxon.
The real-life camaraderie of the two lead actors comes across very well in the early scenes. The acting becomes more profound with the change in the relationship of their characters.
The constant debate between the justice by the state and justice by the church comes into focus. Becket becomes the King's Chancellor, much to the dismay of the elderly Archbishop of Canterbury (Felix Aylmer), who prefers to uphold canon law as the supreme law of England over the power of the King.
A girl the two friends encounter while hunting (Jennifer Hilary) becomes a point of interest for both of them, indirectly leading to a tragedy involving Becket's dour wife, Gwendolen (O'Toole's then-real-life wife, Sian Phillips), and we see the initial rift between the two men.
However, they still undertake their diplomatic mission to France and the newly widowered Becket scarcely has time to grieve. He arranges for a French town's capitulation, reporting to the Barons who strongly influence the King, has an initially hazardous encounter with a monk(David Weston) in whom he will find something of a kindred spirit, and confers with Henry in the company of his temporary French acquisition (Veronique Vendell). Soon both learn of the demise of the old Archbishop of Canterbury, and on a whim, Henry decides to give Thomas his position.
The rift between the two men becomes official when Thomas begins to take the position seriously, expressing the desire to uphold canon law over the rule of the King, particularly regarding the issue of a nobleman, who seized an ordered the killing of a priest accused of improper conduct with a young girl before the accused could be brought to trial in ecclesiastical court. This nobleman, Lord Gilbert, one of the King's most loyal supporters, remains unrepentant, and Thomas excommunicates him.
In real life, the terms of the Constitution of Clarendon, which further fueled the struggle between monarchical and Papal power were another factor diving the two former friends.
As King Louis VII of France, Cardinal Zambelli, Pope Alexander III, and Bishop Folliot,John Gielgud, Gino Cervi, Paolo Stoppa, and Donald Wolfit are the other lead supporting players.
Martita Hunt, Pamela Brown, and Riggs O'Hara, as Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquataine, and Prince Henry compose the family with whom ( at least in this production) the King has much strife.
As would be the case with another King Henry (VIII) and another Saint Thomas(More) nearly 400 years later, the issue of the power of the Church vs the power of the King becomes a death struggle between two former friends.
Despite its inaccuracies, "Becket" has a stellar cast, and those viewing it will be entertained by a well-acted and thoroughly absorbing drama.

Dramatic History at its Best
Another "Burton" at his best, "Becket" gives us a superb Peter O'toole as Henry II. No better acting than these two give us has Hollywood ever produced and it's all there in this increibly important film. Thought provoking and ethiically important. The comlexity of being human faces us throughout the two and a half hours. Would that Hollywood were still producing motion pictures of this quality!

Peter O'Toole
I love Peter O'Toole as King Henry II. Becket is great but the Lion in Winter is better. Peter plays Henry a bit mad in Becket while he played him cunning in Lion in Winter. Richard Burton also provides a fine performance as Becket. And Lion in Winter has a star cast, if not when it was made, then over time such as Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton not to mention the wonderful performance by Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Excellent!
Great move for a great price. I'm a huge fan of The Lion in Winter, in which O'Toole plays the title role of Henry II. That came out in '68, but the events in Becket are about 15 years or so before TLIW. Great acting, great costuming, good play between O'Toole and Burton. If you like classic movies from the '60s, and you like O'Toole or Burton, give this one a whirl.