Beckett
The story of Henry II's friendship with and ultimate betrayal of Thomas Becket is among the best known in the history of the English crown and is the subject of the 1964 release of Becket.
Peter O'Toole gives a seething and intense performance as the English monarch, a childish, aloof despot given to infantile tantrums. Counterpointing him is Sir Richard Burton's equally brilliant performance as the benign but steadfast Becket. The supporting cast is equally fine, aided by cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth (who later shot 2001 and Superman), whose moody, low-key approach convincingly depicts this crude, austere period.
The pace of this film is well set by Editor Anne V. Coates (Lawrence of Arabia), while the score is large and exciting, blending Gregorian chants with symphonic pageantry.
Becket is best seen on the laserdisc from MPI Home Video, which features the film in its full Panavision splendor, although it is unfortunately mastered from a somewhat weathered-looking print. Even so, it remains a powerful, well-acted and moving drama, chronicling one of history's most famous battles of will.
Paul Andrew MacLean
© 1998
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