Becket (1964)
Director: Peter Glenville
Watched: /27/18
Rating: 4/5 stars
Was pleasantly surprised by this lesser known biographical fiction. Synopsis made it seem extremely boring. Procrastinated on seeing it, regret that now. At 2.5 hours, it is noteworthy that I felt like it ended too soon.
Obvious that Peter O’Toole started in theater, he overacts, his voice level is a tad higher than all the other characters, and it seems like he is yelling all the time. Not sure I liked that; this is not to say his performance was necessarily inferior, but that it was better suited for the stage.
Director did take liberties with historical facts, the most prominent one being that Becket was not even a Saxon, but a Norman. This was actually quite a significant detail in the film, referenced more than once. The writer of the play that this film is based on did figure that out, but decided to leave it in because it made for a better story. Well, of course it does, but it also makes for a more historically inaccurate one. This is regrettable, for I feel as if it could have been as good with the facts accurate.
Two phenomenal actors. Two phenomenal characters. They do not try to outshine each other, but Richard Burton easily wins this one. A man at first uncertain and then a little ambiguous with his loyalties, with a tendency to convince everyone, himself included, that he does not care about anyone or anything. His acting was such that I could see him as an ideal King. The supporting performances were all on point, although I do wish there was some more character exploration and explanation on various relationships that were merely touched upon, such as Henry & his mother Matilda, Henry & his wife Eleanor, Henry & his son Henry III, Becket & Lady Gwendolen, whom he obviously has feelings for. The relationship between King Henry II & Becket is mostly seen as platonic, but Henry does use the word “love” a few times. Because of censors at the time of the filming (homosexuality was still illegal), little more was shown. This is a disappointment.
“Yes, I loved him. And I still do… I am as useless as a woman. So long as he is alive I tremble, I shake. I am the king, yet I shake. Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?… My heart!”