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      Becket

      PG-13 Released Mar 11, 1964 2 hr. 28 min. History Drama List
      75% 28 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score Debauched King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) installs his longtime court facilitator Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) as the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and loyal lackey in the King's ongoing battles with the church. But Becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the king's selfish wishes, causing a rift and an eventual showdown not only between the two men, but also the institutions they represent. Read More Read Less Watch on Peacock Stream Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Maya S The story of a childish king who kills the friend he loves best in the world because this man has discovered his true vocation as the archbishop. The mise-en-scène is a bit stately, this could have been a brilliant film but it only turned out to be a very good one because it got bogged down in its grand scenery (the whole of Canterbury Cathedral on a studio lot and a soundstage) and rather silly costumes with too much polyester velvet and Disney-style headpieces. Burton and O'Toole are a wonderful pair and give it their best, it's worthwile watching just for their on screen chemistry. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/30/23 Full Review Shay C It's a very good dramatic experience. This movie has a very classic feel you won't see today. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/24/23 Full Review Leaburn O I wish more films based on seminal historic events were released these days. I just can't see Hollywood producing something from the Middle Ages anymore which is a shame as this was a brilliantly executed (pun intended) biopic of Thomas Becket and really brings the story to life for future generations. More of these epics please. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/20/23 Full Review Liam D A true acting masterclass from some of the greatest British actors Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/05/22 Full Review KARL O Two lead performances at their height delivering power dialogue. The movie is overlong - plenty of pageantry that could be trimmed at no cost. Lots of badly cast support - Some of those teens have five o clock shadow and that's just the girls. As with all costume dramas of the period they look very wiggy. This one is due a remake. There's lots of greatness in there. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/26/21 Full Review william d I love the grand historical epic brimming over with extras. This one just didn't quite do it for me though. It drags a bit too much. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (28) Critics Reviews
      Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Ripe with homoerotic undercurrents -- which O'Toole mines with relish in his great hysterical performance, full of cunning, eloquence and mad outbursts. Rated: 3/4 Mar 8, 2007 Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post Becket may seem like a movie of yesteryear, but its timeliness brims over with rousing, meditative discourses between Henry and the church leaders on the separation of church and state. Mar 1, 2007 Full Review Mark Feeney Boston Globe Everything that Doctor Strangelove is -- daring and inspired, vibrant and brilliantly staged -- Becket is not. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 23, 2007 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It’s all a touch too simple and uninspiring, despite an undoubtedly wry script. Rated: 5/10 Aug 9, 2023 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film If you really want to think about the conflict between religious and political movements and the necessary separation between them then this will be for you. Feb 7, 2023 Full Review Judith Crist New York Herald Tribune The power of the film is in the close-up, the concentration on the two protagonists. And what is so fascinating in this exploration is that Burton and O'Toole provide no ultimate answers for each other or for us. Aug 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Debauched King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) installs his longtime court facilitator Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) as the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and loyal lackey in the King's ongoing battles with the church. But Becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the king's selfish wishes, causing a rift and an eventual showdown not only between the two men, but also the institutions they represent.
      Director
      Peter Glenville
      Executive Producer
      Joseph H. Hazen
      Screenwriter
      Edward Anhalt
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Production Co
      Paramount Pictures
      Rating
      PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Violence)
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 11, 1964, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Dec 20, 2011
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