Becket |  | Director: Peter Glenville
Actors: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi, Paolo Stoppa
Studio: MPI Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.98
Buy New: $11.97
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Rating:  181 reviews
Sales Rank: 8043
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Published), French (Published)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: MPID1053D
UPC: 030306105390
EAN: 0030306105390
ASIN: B00007G1WH
Theatrical Release Date: March 11, 1964
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
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
On the DVD
The primary bonus feature is a treat: a feature-length commentary by Peter O'Toole, accompanied by a moderator. With only occasional gaps of silence, the still sharp and well-spoken O'Toole recalls the making of the film, how he didn't research the historical King Henry ("The author has made the character; that's his job. My job is to play it."), and his memories of Richard Burton, both personal ("We found that we both enjoyed rugby, we both enjoyed songs, and we both enjoyed drinking, and got along very well.") and professional ("he had an astonishing presence on the stage"). There are also two archival interviews with Burton from 1967 and 1977 (26 minutes total), in which he doesn't discuss Becket, but he does say a lot about his life on stage, he recites some lines, and speaks candidly about his drinking problem. Don't skip over the interviews with the film's editor Anne Coates and composer Laurence Rosenthal. Coates (7 minutes) has some good stories, and Rosenthal (12 minutes) discusses the influences on his Oscar-nominated score and how he had to teach Gregorian chant to Burton ("He was one of these people whom you really can't teach anything. He had this characteristic that you can only remind him of something he already knows. But he didn't know how to sing Gregorian chant."). In addition to a photo gallery and the four-and-a-half-minute theatrical trailer, MPI's long-delayed DVD looks better than many major-studio classics. --David Horiuchi Beyond Becket 
Other Peter O'Toole Films | 
Other Richard Burton Films | 
More King Henrys on DVD | Stills from Becket (click for larger image)
Product Description
Splendid production of famous play about turbulent relationship between thomas becket and his king henry ii of england. Studio: Mpi Home Video Release Date: 05/15/2007 Starring: Richard Burton Peter Otoole Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 181
 Two of England's Best March 9, 2010
Raymond A. Cronin
O'Toole and Burton light up the screen and provide a truly entertaining view of English nobility.
 AN ACTING LESSON BY TWO OF THE GREATS February 5, 2010
Geary A., Jones
Edward Anhalt's academy award winning screenplay adatation of Jen Anauilh's play is, as many have mentioned, exceptional, the cinematography, and costume design superb, the direction nearly flawless, but it is the exquisitely realized performances of Burton ( as Becket ), and O'Toole ( as Henry II ) that command attention in this sumptuous tale of a doomed friendship ( and, of course, an epic battle of church and state ). Whether you like religious films, political intrigue, historical epics, or just ascerbic, and intelligent dialogue, there are very few pictures that can contend with BECKET.
A Must Have December 23, 2009
Luis Logrono (Tampa)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an excellent film that helped define the careers of two of the best actors England has produced, specially for Peter O'Toole. The movie looks great on High Definition. This is a must have. The supporting cast is also great, in particular the always impressive John Gielgud. This movie has been hard to find, buy while available! It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards.
A great film faithfully reproduced. Great performances. December 9, 2009
George Sarant (New York, NY United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I saw this in a theater many years ago when it first came out, and recall that even then it appealed to everyone from intellectuals to the guys on the street corner. It starts from great material- a play by Jean Anouilh which is wonderfully adapted for the screen by Edward Anhalt, one of the best screenwriters of the era. The film has everything- humor, pathos, tragedy, with magnificent performances by Peter O'Toole as Henry II and Richard Burton as Beckett. Both were then at the height of their powers and it shows on the screen. The details have been gone over by others so I won't repeat them. It is a must-see classic.
The blu-ray transfer is flawless and a pleasure to watch. Who can ask for more?
 FASCINATING THAT THIS FILM WAS POPULAR THEN... November 13, 2009
DoMeNiQuE CoE (Los Angeles, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I absolutely loved this film and it's pagentry and intrigue and dialogue...but how on earth with the crass competition of cleavage and Doris Day venue did ANYONE sit thru this compelling drama??? Were they just trying to impress their colleagues that they were interested in 11-12th century ENGLISH history??? This film is slow moving and you actually have to pay attention enough to appreciate the suffering of Henry II's love for Becket and hence, I continue to persue the venue of how this film succeeded in this era...I am impressed with those that were able to appreciate the path less taken and applaud anyone who comprehends the afflictions of kings and counterparts in history...
Showing reviews 1-5 of 181
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