Becket [video recording]

by Peter Glenville (Director)

Other authorsRichard Burton (Actor), Jean Anouilh (Play), Peter O'Toole (Actor), John Gielgud (Actor), Pamela Brown (Actor), Donald Wolfit (Actor), Edward Anhalt (Screenplay), Martita Hunt (Actor)
DVD, 2007

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

Barcode

DVD-0363

ISBN

0788604708 / 9780788604706

UPC

030306105390

Original publication date

1964-03-11

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

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.
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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?

Language

Original language

English

Rating

(8 ratings; 4.3)
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