Becket
Seen it?1964 | 148 min | Drama, History
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won an Oscar and it earned strong reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Braveheart or Nuremberg, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
Thomas Becket, Henry II's longtime advisor, finds his friendship with the debauched king corroding when he is unwillingly appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury in an attempt to gain absolute loyalty from the Church.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium. Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 3 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best British Art Direction – Colour, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Cinematography – Colour, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Costume Design – Colour. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Best Foreign Performer. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Written American Drama. Also nominated for 10 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 4 more BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$9 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 98K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peter Glenville
- Richard BurtonThomas Becket
- Peter O'TooleKing Henry II of England
- John GielgudKing Louis VII of France
- Gino CerviCardinal Zambelli
- Paolo StoppaPope Alexander III
- Donald WolfitBishop Folliot
- David WestonBrother John
- Martita HuntEmpress Matilda
- Pamela BrownQueen Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Percy HerbertBaron