Watch Becket

Becket is a historical drama film from 1964 that stars Richard Burton as Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Peter O'Toole as King Henry II of England. The movie is based on the Broadway play by Jean Anouilh, which was adapted from the historical accounts of the conflict between King Henry II and Becket in the 12th century.

The film is set in England in the 12th century and explores the complex relationship between King Henry II and his close friend and confidant, Thomas Becket. When Henry appoints Becket as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the two men become estranged as Becket takes his new role seriously and begins to defend the church's interests against the king's wishes.

Their disagreement over the power and influence of the Catholic Church soon leads to conflict, with Henry openly challenging Becket's authority and eventually declaring him a traitor. As the tension between the two men grows, Becket is forced to choose between his loyalty to the church and his friendship with the king.

The performances in Becket are outstanding, particularly those of Burton and O'Toole. Burton delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Becket, capturing both his piety and his defiance in the face of the king's tyranny. O'Toole's portrayal of Henry is equally impressive, capturing the king's complex personality as a man who is both charismatic and ruthless.

The film also benefits from its strong supporting cast, including John Gielgud as the Archbishop of Canterbury before Becket, Gino Cervi as the Pope, and Donald Wolfit as the Bishop of London. The movie's gorgeous production design and stunning cinematography create a vivid sense of medieval England, with stunning shots of the country's landscapes and cathedrals.

Overall, Becket is a powerful and thought-provoking historical drama that looks at the complicated relationships between power, loyalty, and friendship. The film's themes continue to resonate today, making it a timeless classic that remains an essential watch for fans of historical drama.

Becket is a 1964 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 68.