Review of Becket (1964) by Brandon W — 11 Aug 2010

I am ashamed to say prior to this I had never seen a Peter O'Toole or Richard Burton movie but my what an introduction in this epic period film that is thankfully not lost forever as was once thought.

It tells the tale of Sir Thomas Becket a rogue Saxon of the Middle Ages portrayed by Burton who spends his days morosely aiding his hilariously carefree master, beloved friend and King, Henry the Second as portrayed by Master thespian O'Toole.

They roam the English country side together and generally have fun that is except for a few dark moments including one where a bet Henry makes causes Thomas is wife to kill herself. Henry does his Saxon friend a real solid and makes him Chancellor a big deal since Saxons were being oppressed and considered an inferior race at the time.

But their carefree friendship comes to a violent end when being forced to pick a new Bishop of Canterbury Henry chooses the only man he trusts Becket despite his begging not too. The morose and detached Becket however finds religion and after butting heads on the subject of a noble who apprehends and kills a priest becomes an embittered enemy of his King, leading to a famous and bloody end.

The directing is pretty damn solid especially for the 60s the capturing of England's landscape is beautiful and well done but the story is a little weak from not having the most coherent flow and a kind of disappointing cheesy climax.

Nonetheless O'Toole is a scene stealer in one of his best roles as the boyish, jubilant and comic King Henry...he basically carrys the movie but god he does it oh so well god bless him.