Becket Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent Becket

In an effort to bring to screen the comedy and tragedy of St. Thomas à Becket, director Peter Glenville offers a spectacular portrayal of this timeless story. The wonderful acting and great screenplay (adapted from Jean Anouilh's play) make the 1964 film one for the ages. It is a magnificent achievement of movie-making, proving that a great story can live on.

In the early 12th century, King Henry II, who had invaded parts of France, rules England. The movie is set during a period of rebuilding for France, while bitter animosity continues between Henry and his advisor, Thomas à Becket, a man of Saxon descent with great ambition. The two have been close friends since childhood, but realize their political differences after the king appoints Becket Archbishop of Canterbury.

Peter O'Toole magnificently portrays the morally weak King Henry. Richard Burton plays the perfect foil as Becket, who is down-to-earth with a life centered around his work. These actors are still regarded as two of the greatest ever. Without them, the movie could have been just another B flick.

The realism of the times may be lost to many. The costumes and scenery make the movie feel very authentic to its period.

One of the few drawbacks, its lack of special effects, makes 'Becket' drag in parts. There is not much filmmakers were able do in 1964, but 'Becket' was nominated for 12 Academy Awards.

I urge everyone to rent this movie. I can almost assure you that you will have a great time.

Customer Review

This is a visually stunning film and the acting is superb, but it was of little interest to me as I am deaf and it has no subtitles.

PLEASE can you always provide subtitles?

Thank you.

Customer Review

I was all of 12 or 13 when I first saw this film in 1968, when it was screened by the school film club. Even at that tender age it left an indelible impression on my mind and fostered a real affection for cinema. And this film shows just how good a movie can be! The costumes are excellent - the dialogue superb - the acting remarkable - and a great story taboot! All lovingly restored for DVD the extras are also very good. In particular Peter O'Toole's commentary on how the film was made is brilliantly intelligent, precise and perceptive - a valuable education in the business and skills of acting. So sad that they don't make them like this any more, or maybe an illustration of just how good so much of the cultural era of the sixties was?

Masterclass

This is a dialogue laden film and the lack of action may not appeal to many however film buffs will revel in the acting masterclass delivered by O'Toole and Burton. It benefits from good costumes and location shots.

A class film!

I saw this on tv the other day and the review said it was a rarely shown on tv classic so i decided to stay up and watch it. Like one of the reviews says there's no action and is very dialogue driven, but if you want to see acting at it's best then this is the film for it. Peter O'Toole plays the power tripped, spoilt brat king and Burton plays his close friend and it's about their relationship and how it breaks down. But i thought it was such a great insight to Medievil Britain and the sets and costumes show todays films it doesn't all need to be bluescreen and cg. It was a play so a lot of the scenes are long but with these two greats in the scene together it's just gripping. A good story about Church versus King.

Defintely worth a watch.

[Highly rated reviewer]

One of the ten best films of the 1960s

I liked it so much I bought it as soon as it came out on dvd. It is by turns very funny- O'Toole has an unrivalled knack with a throw away line, Burton is beautifully other-worldly and tragically human by turns, and the relationship is brilliantly conveyed. Every line of dialogue is crafted just so, and don't the actors know it! From the early light-hearted stuff to the blackest emotional scenes of the bitter end, the whole cast surpasses itself.

It is not historically accurate, alas, {Becket wasn't a Saxon] but for dramatic purposes, it all works beautifully.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Men in tights

Stagey, verbose and unconvincing. The two stars are for Burton and O'Toole who should have been better served by the director in this misguided attempt to bring a successful stage play to the screen. Very long.

Brilliant

They do not make films as good as this anymore. Intelligent and based on true events. Burton gets better as he becomes more beatific and O'Toole is on amazing form as King Henry II. Some of his put downs to his wife, mother and son are priceless. 'Sit down you witless baboon' being one of the good ones.

Two great actors delivering the goods and showing how good they could be if the material was up to scratch.

Classic historical piece

I love these older historical films and this didn't disappoint. Burton and O'Toole were absolute masters of the screen and the drama builds superbly throughout. Great stuff.