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Becket Overview:

Becket (1964) was a Biographical - Drama Film directed by Peter Glenville and produced by Hal B. Wallis and Joseph H. Hazen.

Academy Awards 1964 --- Ceremony Number 37 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorRichard BurtonNominated
Best ActorPeter O'TooleNominated
Best Supporting ActorJohn GielgudNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: John Bryan, Maurice Carter; Set Decoration: Patrick McLoughlin, Robert CartwrightNominated
Best CinematographyGeoffrey UnsworthNominated
Best Costume DesignMargaret FurseNominated
Best DirectorPeter GlenvilleNominated
Best Film EditingAnne CoatesNominated
Best Music - ScoringLaurence RosenthalNominated
Best PictureHal B. Wallis, ProducerNominated
Best WritingEdward AnhaltWon
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Becket BlogHub Articles:

Becket (1964, Peter Glenville)

on Dec 29, 2019 From The Stop Button

Becket has some genre constraints. Significant ones. It’s a king-sized 70mm Panavision English history epic only it doesn’t feature any big battles. In fact, it goes out of its way not to show battles. It’s also an early sixties historical epic and it’s trying to be a little edgy in how it s... Read full article

REGALING ABOUT RICHARD BURTON BLOGATHON: Becket (1964)

on Dec 4, 2018 From Caftan Woman

Gill is hosting the Regaling About Richard Burton Blogathon at her site Realweegiemidget Reviews. Click HERE for the tributes to the revered actor. A historical drama and a character study, Becket tackles such weighty subjects as politics, faith, the divine right of kings, love, jealousy, h... Read full article

Becket (1964) – As Film and As History with Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole

By Greg Orypeck on May 25, 2015 From Classic Film Freak

Share This! “It’s funny!  It’s too funny!  Becket is the only intelligent man in my kingdom, and he’s against me.”—— King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) Musicals have always been a part of movie magic, as well as other genres, even those lying outside the standard staples of drama and co... Read full article

Becket (1964) – As Film and As History with Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole

By Greg Orypeck on May 25, 2015 From Classic Film Freak

Share This! “It’s funny!  It’s too funny!  Becket is the only intelligent man in my kingdom, and he’s against me.”—— King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) Musicals have always been a part of movie magic, as well as other genres, even those lying outside the standard staples of drama and co... Read full article

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Becket Quotes:

Thomas a Becket: England is a ship. The king is captain of the ship.
King Henry II: That's neat. I like that.
Brother John: You betrayed your Saxon race, now you betray God.
Thomas a Becket: Perhaps you will succeed in teaching me humility, it's a virtue I've never really mastered.
King Louis VII of France: My dear man, crowned heads are free to play a little game of courtesy, but nations owe one another none.
King Henry II: So what in most people is morality, in you it's just an exercise in... what's the word?
Thomas a Becket: Aesthetics.
King Henry II: Yes, that's the word. Always "aesthetics."
Thomas a Becket: Yes, we have soldiers disguised in the crowd to encourage enthusiasm.
King Henry II: Why must you destroy all my illusions?
Thomas a Becket: Because you should have none, My Prince.
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Becket Facts
Richard Burton initially turned the film down because he felt the idea of him playing a saint would cause the press to have a field day. He also said he would be more suited to playing Henry II.
Composer Laurence Rosenthal got a hard time from producer Hal B. Wallis who insisted on a more upbeat score. Rosenthal held his ground - and was rewarded with an Oscar nomination.
The plot device of Lord Gilbert having murdered a priest is added to the film. In the play, Becket comes into conflict with the King for different, and more historically accurate reasons.
Final film of Frank Pettingell.
Peter O'Toole's crown was made of cardboard.
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