The movie "Becket" is based on the life of Thomas 'a Becket, Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury, under Henry II, and later, Saint Thomas 'a Becket, a patron saint of England. Starring Richard Burton as Becket, and Peter O'toole as King Henry II, this is truly a wonderful movie, rich in history, replete with fantastic acting, and is also quite interesting and fun at the same time. It is also another of my personal favorite movies because of the acting, subject matter, and all over pageantry.

Synopsis/Review:

King Henry II, of Norman French stock(grandson of William the Conqueror), looks upon the grave of his friend, Thomas Becket, and reflects upon their time together in life...

We go back in time to when the king and his friend were young, and out 'whoring and wenching', getting caught in the bed of a young woman, and her parents coming into the room, and the two young rogues escaping through the bedroom window, Henry losing a boot in the process. The movie continues on with Henry surprising his friend by making him Chancellor of England, and putting him in firm control of the country with a strong Chancellor who can oppose the church, and try to get them to pay taxes. Henry later invades France, to reconquer a few Norman towns, and news reaches him that the Archbishop of Canterbury has died, and it is his duty to appoint a new one, and he chooses his friend Becket for the post. Becket advises against this, and cautions, "my lord, don't do this...".
Soon, Becket is ordained deacon, then priest, then consecrated archbishop. The Bishop of London, who was in line for the position, comes to him in a matter of principle that he must act on: a priest was caught debauching a young girl, and arrested by the state, and the church opposed this, because they wished to try him in church law, not state or secular law. Becket uses all his power to bear to bring this to justice, crossing the king in the process. The young priest is killed, and Becket excommunicates the lord who arrested the priest. Henry realizes now that he has chosen the wrong man for the post, and tries to use trumped up charges to get him arrested, saying he misappropriated funds during his tenure as chancellor. Becket foils the plan, by threatening excommunication, and has to flee England for France, where he is received by the French king, played by Sir John Gielgud. Becket is returned to England on a compromise, and Henry, surrounded by his drunken knights, utters the famous words, "will no one rid me of this terminant priest?", and the knights go off to Canterbury, and murder Becket.

Becket is the story of two very close friends, but there is underlying tension in that Henry is a Norman, and overlord of the Saxons and Angles and Britons. Becket is a Saxon, and compromises his honor and duty to his people by being a collaborator and profligate, in which he thrives and prospers. Henry makes the moves on Becket's Welsh fiancee, but she kills herself because Becket had promised her to Henry, in exchange that Henry not harm a Saxon maid. This is the beginning of the rift between Henry and Becket, and Becket realizes honor and nobility and principle in his new title as Archbishop.

I recommend this movie to all, as the material is fitting for most audiences, over 14 years of age.
It was nominated for best picture and both Burton and O'toole were nominated for best actor, in 1962, but both lost and the movie lost to My Fair Lady and Rex Harrison. This was clearly a big mistake by the Academy, as they really missed the ball on the real winner, Becket. Burton and O'toole should have been co-winners for best actor! And, it is a terrible shame that Richard Burton, one of the best actors of the 20th century, never received an academy award!



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older