Becket (1964)

Becket
Directed by Peter Glenville
Written by Edward Anhalt from a play by Jean Anouih as translated by Lucienne Hill
1964/USA/UK
Wallis-Hazen/Paramount Film Service/Keep Films
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] King Henry II: Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest? [/box]

Despite the spectacular production values and fine acting, this really wasn’t for me.

The story takes place in the mid-12th Century.  Henry II (Peter O’Toole), a descendant of William the Conqueror, reigns in England.  He has ambitions of regaining Norman lands in France.  Henry forms a close bond with Thomas Becket, a Saxon deacon, and makes him a noble.  They are constant companions in debauchery and whoring.  Henry and the Church are at odds and it looks like the Church may be winning.  Henry decides to name Becket Archbishop of Canterbury to have his man in charge.

Unfortunately for Henry, Becket takes his new job deadly seriously and becomes pious. One of the most important conflicts between the Crown and the Church had been whether the clergy could be tried under the King’s law rather than in ecclesiastical courts.  Matters come to a head when Becket excommunicates a noble who has murdered a priest.  Thereafter Henry’s love for Becket turns to rage and Becket’s life is in danger.

This kind of long ponderous costume drama is really not my thing.  On the other hand, I have no criticism of any aspect of the production.  Burton and O’Toole are in top form. The production was filmed mostly on sound stages and looks like it was all done on location – it is glorious.

Becket won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.  It was nominated in the categories of Best Picture; Best Actor (Burton); Best Actor (O’Toole); Best Supporting Actor (John Gielgud); Best Director; Best Cinematography, Color; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; Best Costume Design, Color; Best Sound; Best Film Editing; and Best Music, Substantially Original Score. Becket is tied with The Turning Point and The Color Purple for the most Oscar category losses – 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArLJHj4WKYA