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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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 shows the... 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 comedy, say, the mor... 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 comedy, say, the mor... Read full article


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Quotes from

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.


Thomas a Becket: Tonight you can do me the honor of christening my forks.
King Henry II: Forks?
Thomas a Becket: Yes, from Florence. New little invention. It's for pronging meat and carrying it to the mouth. It saves you dirtying your fingers.
King Henry II: But then you dirty the fork.
Thomas a Becket: Yes, but it's washable.
King Henry II: So are your fingers. I don't see the point.


Thomas a Becket: Oh Lord, how heavy thy honor is to bear.


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Facts about

John Gielgud received an Oscar nomination for appearing in just two scenes.
Empress Matilda (Maud), King Henry's mother, had been chosen by her father King Henry I to rule after his death; but the ruling Council of England decided it would be inappropriate for a woman to rule, and named her cousin Stephen as king. This set off decades of war, during which Matilda captured much of western England and was proclaimed Lady of England. Though she never became queen, she successfully established her son Henry's claim to the throne. She died in 1167, three years before Becket's murder.
The play - and indeed the film - are riddled with factual inaccuracies as Jean Anouilh did practically no research once he learned the gist of the real story.
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Also directed by Peter Glenville




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Also produced by Hal B. Wallis




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Also released in 1964




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