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Rating:  -
Great Movie an is exactly what we expected. Peter O'Toole is outstanding in this movie.
Rating:  -
One of the decisive battles of Western civilization, one that lasted many centuries, once Christianity became the norm in late Roman times was the seemingly never-ending fight between the secular authority of the state (under God, of course) and the religious authority of the Catholic Church. That tension forms the backdrop for this film about an early English battle around the question. At least as depicted in the film this seemed an unlikely controversy between two dear friends Norman Henry II (played by a young Peter O'Toole) and his personal political advisor Saxon Thomas a Becket (played by Richard Burton). But that is the rub. Henry takes his kingship seriously, as he should at this point in history. Beckett does likewise as he grows into his role as Archbishop of Canterbury (when that job had real power). In the end one or the other had to win. With the benefit of hindsight and dressed in the full regalia of the Enlightenment I am glad that Henry won. But it was a near thing. See this interesting and well-performed film for a slice of our history not badly done.
Rating: -
Becket is one of those movies I'd heard about for years from people I trusted, yet never bothered to see. Until today.
What a fine film. Peter O'Toole has working for so long that it's easy to forget that he once cut a striking young figure. And what an actor! He's a rougish Henry II, a clever Norman who finds himself king of England in battle with the Church in the 12th century. His right hand man (and best pal) is local turncoat Saxon Thomas Becket played by Richard Burton. Beckett is somewhat expedient (in the worst sense of the word), clever and a good friend of the obnoxious-yet-entertaining king. The two are bound by tomfoolery and Henry loves Beckett, trusts his counsel and makes him Chancellor of England in the face of opposition from both the barons and the Church. Yet sometimes Thomas quietly intervenes on behalf of his countrymen. Simultaneously as a member of Henry's court he seems to bear a sense of guilt. "Somehow I can never sport the idea of being loved."
Becket is about honor, the honor of perhaps a previous age, but honor nonetheless. Becket's surrender of his woman is terrible, but it comes from his understanding of honor. And when Henry installs his friend Becket as Archbishop, it's with the understanding that Becket's expediency will inform his churchly function. Little could have Henry predicted - in spite of the recognition that his friend was a bit enigmatic - that Becket would take his office seriously. This is also a love story of a sort; the love of a king for his friend, the love of a new believer for an ideal, the sweetness and bitterness of loneliness. The scenes in which Becket submits himself to God and Henry submits to the loss of his friend are exquisite. If "God" is not your thing, substitute "wisdom," "truth," or "enlightenment" and take Becket's prayer in that light. Enjoy the film, the tension, and the tragedy of honor tensioned against friendship, "aesthetics" against "morality," and a more exalted expediency born from someplace within.
Some people may be put off by some of the cinematic techniques of the '60s (e.g. instant, obviously artificial rain during the hunt scene), but for me these things merely mark the time during which the film was made. On the plus side, another mark of this film's era is the exquisitely crafted dialogue. This stuff is spoken poetry, incomparably performed by some of the best actors of the 20th century. There are certain handsome themes in the film; Henry's constant feelings of cold in the land he rules yet is not a part of, and Thomas' comfort in the same land which is his own.
Did I mention Peter O'Toole was fantastic? And Richard Burton's voice is like buttery dark silk. A sidenote: The actor who played the reforming, tumultuous monk John was yet another bright spot in a stellar film.
Rating:  -
It finally arrived after seven weeks, but the wait was worthwhile.
A truly
tremendous film with the most superb acting by Peter O'toole and Richard
Burton - a masterful and riveting performance. The quality of this 40 year old production in sound and vision was superb, well above what I expected from such and old film. Beautifully re-mastered!
I loved this when it was on circuit in the sixties and saw it no less than four times. Now, forty years later, it still had me spellbound for two and a half hours.
Highly recommended to the younger generation who never saw it before for
it's wonderful acting by two of the world's best actors.
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
Rating: -
Its been a long time since I saw this movie. I felt glad that its now available in DVD format and they did a pretty good job in digitizing it. No originality lost and this one is a must for all those movie buffs out there :)
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