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Holistic Guidance - Becket
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List Price: $24.98
Our Price: $14.99
Your Save: $ 9.99 ( 40% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: MPI Home Video
Starring: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi, Paolo Stoppa
Directed By: Peter Glenville
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0030306105390
Format: Closed-captioned
Label: MPI Home Video
Manufacturer: MPI Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MPI Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2007-05-15
Running Time: 150
Studio: MPI Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1964-03-11
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Editorial Reviews:
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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
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Comment: Great move for a great price. I'm a huge fan of The Lion in Winter, in which O'Toole plays the title role of Henry II. That came out in '68, but the events in Becket are about 15 years or so before TLIW. Great acting, great costuming, good play between O'Toole and Burton. If you like classic movies from the '60s, and you like O'Toole or Burton, give this one a whirl.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Top-notch period drama with great cast
Comment: At last, we can see this top-notch period drama as it was intended to be seen. Restored in high definition, the original Panavision photography looks sharp in an anamorphic transfer, with Dolby Digital sound. Nominated for 12 Oscars, BECKET will be remembered for the first-rate performances by Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole and a superb supporting cast that includes John Gielgud and Donald Wolfit. Bonus features include interviews with editor Anne V. Coates and composer Laurence Rosenthal and archival interviews with Burton. O'Toole contributes an audio commentary.
Excellent period drama (and a great companion to THE LION IN WINTER).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Movie Making - Excellent Theme
Comment: Historical drama at its best. An amazing bit of history portrayed by Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton. Nominated for 12 Academy Awards. This is really great stuff. Watch this one ! ! !
Customer Rating:
Summary: Peter O'Toole's finest!!!
Comment: 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 learn from this epic film which features a STELLAR cast! This was directed by Peter Glenville as well as gracing the New York Stage courtesy of Mr.David Merrick and received a whopping 12 Academy Award nomimations only to lose the Best Picture award to ¨My Fair Lady¨ A popularity contest AT BEST!
Do yourself a favor and see this film ASAP!!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hollywood At It's Best
Comment: 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 go read a survey of the central characters' biographies. Hollywood can do useful work in this regard in a culture where significant percentages of people cannot answer basic questions of historical fact. The acting and the story line are compelling and the casting is superb.
On the other side of the house, Henry II is depicted as being far too shallow and weak. His angst is much more modern than actual and, then, Becket's transformation is depicted as far more spiritual than are the facts. Becket never stopped being a politician though I believe that he certainly did undergo a fairly extensive "rebirth" upon entering the priesthood. Those things can be forgiven but allow only a four star recommendation.
Good flick, watch it with someone who might be open to conversation about what challenges Henry II really faced and what long lasting influence he had on the English (and thence US) institutions.
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