The theme of this movie is "the honor of God". According to the film, Thomas a Becket was an unprincipled man, although a Saxon, he was the best friend of Norman King Henry the 2nd, a century after the battle of Hastings.
The film is an interesting one, with a bookend structure. The beginning shows King Henry arriving at Canterbury Cathedral and submitting to the monks for a penitential whipping – penance for the killing of Thomas Becket. As O’Toole kneels in front of the tomb of Becket, he has one of several remarkable soliloquies, apologizing to Becket and speaking to him of old times... the scene changes to that of Henry and Thomas wenching and escaping the parents on horseback. Henry appears to be a carefree, irresponsible king, bent on fun, with Becket aiding and abetting him. A brief scene shows where Henry takes Becket’s true lover away for sex. The woman kills herself, rather than submit to Henry. Strike one against the long friendship...
At the royal court the subject is where to find money to finance the king’s wars. The council shows the opposition the church takes to Henry even while demanding their rights to have separate courts for churchmen accused of civil crimes. This is galling to the young king. As a check on the power of the Norman clergy, he appoints Saxon Becket Chancellor of England, the highest office next to the king. The clergy is aghast, Becket is a trained churchman, where will his loyalties lie, with God or the King? "I will serve my King", declares Becket.
Later, in France, accepting the surrender of some new territories won by the sword, word reaches Henry that the Archbishop of Canterbury has died. "He will do a lot more good for God than he ever did for me," is Henry’s sentiment.
Suddenly, he is seized by an idea; he will appoint Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, thereby checkmating the clergy. Becket demurs, but Henry is adamant. We see the second blow against that longtime friendship.
Several times during asides, we hear Becket pondering his honor. "I have none", is his conclusion. But later, after he is installed as Archbishop of all England, he begins to serve "the honor of God". A case is brought before him where a priest is accused of adultery. Before he can decide what to do, word reaches him that the Norman lord killed the priest. That decides him. He petitions Henry to punish the lord. Henry cannot believe Becket is serious, but he is. Henry refuses to act so Becket excommunicates the lord. Henry and Becket are at odds now, and Becket must flee to France, then to Rome, to seek the Pope’s protection. The Pope grants Thomas asylum in a remote monastery in France.
Henry, who seems as changeable as water, relents and comes to France to see Becket, but the reconciliation is not to be. He allows Becket to return to his post at Canterbury, but is burning at the thought of his lost friendship.
Finally, at a drinking bout with his chief lieutenants, Henry sums up a long tirade with, "Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?" His guests nod at each other, don armor and head to Canterbury. Becket is slain before the altar, kneeling over the body of a young priest who tried to defend him against the Norman knights. "Oh Lord, thy honor is so heavy to bear", is one of the memorable lines just before the blow falls.
The scene shifts back to Becket’s tomb, where the monks are just completing Henry’s flogging. Henry puts his clothes back on and addresses the throng gathered outside. "From this day forward, Thomas Becket will be prayed to and worshipped as a saint in this kingdom."
Becket, a stage play adapted to the screen, is dominated by the performances of Peter O’Toole (King Henry II) and Richard Burton (Becket). For that reason alone, it is well worth watching. It is a treat to see two great actors in the prime of their performing years, performing such a meaty story. Supporting actors include John Gielgud as king of France and an early appearance of Sian Phillips, Becket’s true love, best known as evil empress Livia in "I, Claudius".
The action takes place predominately indoors, in classic Norman interiors, cold and gray-brown. The churches and palaces look authentic, as do the costumes. The camera angles and direction is perfect for the subject matter.
The incidental music consists mainly of horn flourishes consistent with kingly decorum, except for Becket’s murder, when an angry bee buzzing string section very effectively indicates the impending doom of the archbishop.
This movie is recommended for history buffs and lovers of costume dramas. There is no sword play, so action lovers will find it a bit slow. Also look at O’Toole's reprise of the Henry II role in "The Lion in Winter".
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