| |  | DVD : Becket |  | | | | | | | | | |
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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0030306105390
Label: MPI Home Video
Manufacturer: MPI Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MPI Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Running Time: 150 minutes
Sales Rank: 2781
Studio: MPI Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: March 11, 1964
Related Items:
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Made in 1964, but set in 12th-century England, this is the fact-based story of Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his dear friend, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Richard Burton). When the king appoints his former drinking buddy to the high religious office, he believes he has placed an ally into power. Instead, he learns that Thomas very much takes his job to heart, prompting Henry to ask that fateful question--'Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?'
This won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, and it is a strong example of finely tuned performances--both leading men received Academy Award nominations for their roles. There is much passion and rage on the screen, but the beauty of their performances is that we always know that love is there as well. The film, shot on location in England, is also visually appealing. Trivia buffs may be interested to know that Peter O'Toole played Henry II four years later in The Lion in Winter. --Rochelle O'Gorman
On the DVD:
The primary bonus feature is a treat: a feature-length commentary by Peter O'Toole, accompanied by a moderator. With only occasional gaps of silence, the still sharp and well-spoken O'Toole recalls the making of the film, how he didn't research the historical King Henry ('The author has made the character; that's his job. My job is to play it.'), and his memories of Richard Burton, both personal ('We found that we both enjoyed rugby, we both enjoyed songs, and we both enjoyed drinking, and got along very well.') and professional ('he had an astonishing presence on the stage'). There are also two archival interviews with Burton from 1967 and 1977 (26 minutes total), in which he doesn't discuss Becket, but he does say a lot about his life on stage, he recites some lines, and speaks candidly about his drinking problem.
Don't skip over the interviews with the film's editor Anne Coates and composer Laurence Rosenthal. Coates (7 minutes) has some good stories, and Rosenthal (12 minutes) discusses the influences on his Oscar-nominated score and how he had to teach Gregorian chant to Burton ('He was one of these people whom you really can't teach anything. He had this characteristic that you can only remind him of something he already knows.But he didn't know how to sing Gregorian chant.'). In addition to a photo gallery and the four-and-a-half-minute theatrical trailer, MPI's long-delayed DVD looks better than many major-studio classics.--David Horiuchi
Beyond Becket 
Other Peter O'Toole Films | 
Other Richard Burton Films | 
More King Henrys on DVD |
Stills from Becket (click for larger image)
Customer Reviews Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Peter O'Toole's finest!!!
This film is in my opinion OFF the charts on most levels!!! For any fans of ¨Lion in Winter ¨, this is a MUST see!!!For students of film and drama this is a benchmark of pristine, powerful and heartfelt delivery of the director's and the script writers intentions. Furthermore, the film's transfer onto DVD
is gorgeous!!! I would even go as far to say that ALL actors on any level be it stage or film can learnfrom this epic film which features a STELLAR cast! This was directed by Peter ... Read More
Rating:  - Hollywood At It's Best
Let's face it, Hollywood is in business to make money.Every once in a while they do something that actually goes beyond that and this movie is one of them.For the person who does not know a great deal of history I believe they will be surprised to discover that a King of England would submit to being thrashed by a bunch of monks in penance for anything, including the murder of a priest.Certainly the fact that the primary characters are based on real people might spark an interest, at least to ... Read More
Rating: - Becket
Very fine acting but historically incorrect as was the stage play. Conflict between Becket and King was well portrayed even allowing for the fact that the characters were somewhat subverted from the real historical personalities. Well worth watching in spite of the ignorance shown in characterisation but this not the fault of the actors but of the script writer and producer.
Rating: - A masterpiece!
One of my favorite movies of all time!
There is so much to enjoy in this movie, but for me, two bits of dialog stand out.In the first, King Henry finally realizes that Becket is no longer "his Chancellor" or "his man."The brooding Henry's words cannot help but touch us:
Becket: forgive me (as he hands over chancellor's ring back to Henry)
Henry:You give the Lions of England back to me; like a little boy who doesn't want to play any more.I would have gone ... Read More
Rating: - A Classic Revived
Becket is a classic movie with some great actors obviously enjoying playing off each other.The film is a talk-fest most of the time, and certainly lacks some major action scenes, but is still a memorable movie, and this DVD edition has been beautifully restored.
Of the bonus features, the interview with the film's original editor is well worth watching for the extra dimension it gives to the film and acting performances (as well as insight into the actors' liesure activities!)
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