Publication
[Orland Park, Ill.] : MPI Home Video, 2007. Responsibility: Paramount Pictures presents ; a Hal Wallis production ; a Paramount and Keep Films co-production ; screenplay by Edward Anhalt ; produced by Hal Wallis ; directed by Peter Glenville. Originally produced as a motion picture in 1964.
Special features: Stills gallery; Interview with composer Laurence Rosenthal (13 min.); Interview with editor Anne Coates (8 min.); TV spot (30 sec.); Richard Burton interviewed by Ludovic Kennedy (1977, 13 min.); Richard Burton interviewed by Kenneth Tynan (1967,14 min.); Commentary with Peter O'Toole.
Credits: Director of photography, Geoffrey Unsworth ; editor, Anne V. Coates ; music, Laurence Rosenthal ; production design, John Bryan ; costume designer, Margaret Furse. Cast: Richard Burton (Becket), Peter O'Toole (the King), John Gielgud (King Louis of France), Gino Cervi (the Cardinal), Paolo Stoppa (the Pope), Donald Wolfit (Bishop Folliot), David Weston, Martita Hunt, Pamela Brown, Percy Herbert, Sian Phillips, Inigo Jackson, Felix Aylmer, Niall MacGinnis, Christopher Rhodes, John Phillips, Frank Pettingell, Veronique Vendell, Jennifer Hilary, David Davenport, Hamilton Dyce, Peter Jeffrey, Michael Miller, Peter Prowse, Jack Taylor. OCLC Number: 79834416. 1 videodisc (148 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Call number
DVD / Front Desk
ISBN
0788604708 / 9780788604706
UPC
030306105390
Original publication date
1964-03-11
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton. O'Toole and Burton are simply mesmerizing in their performances as a pair of rogues in power over England. Sir John Gielgud also stars in this riveting piece of cinema history.
FY2009 / jvsn
FY2009 / jvsn
Physical description
4.75 inches
Awards
Academy Award (Nominee — Best Adapted Screenplay — 1964)
Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture - Drama AND Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama — 1965)
National Board of Review Award (Best Film — 1964)
BAFTA Award (Winner — 1965)
Media reviews
Despite differences in rank and background, King Henry II and Thomas Becket are lifelong friends. The King is in constant conflict with the Church, which refuses to contribute financing to his wars in France, and jealously guards the tax-free status granted it by previous monarchs. When the
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Archbishop of Canterbury dies, Henry has a brilliant idea: rather than another pious cleric loyal to Rome, he will appoint his old friend, Thomas Becket--technically a deacon--to the post. Unfortunately, Becket takes the job seriously, holding devotion to God and the Church above his loyalty to the throne, or the person of its inhabitant. In opposition to Henry, he proves abler than his predecessors do, and the clash of two powerful personalities leads to destruction. Show Less
Description
Henry II surprises England by naming his fellow rogue and trusted confidant Thomas Becket as Chancellor. But when Henry next appoints him Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket shocks the world by openly defying the King with his newfound faith and compassion. Will a desperate ruler now destroy a beloved friend to save his splintering kingdom?
Original language
English