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: [Looking on in reverence at the Holy Crucifix] I wonder Lord, are you laughing at me.


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: [returning the Lord Chancellor's ring] Forgive me.
King Henry II: You give the lions of England back to me like a little boy who doesn't want to play anymore. I would have gone to war with all England's might behind me, and even against England's interests, to defend you, Thomas. I would have given away my life laughingly for you. Only I loved you and you didn't love me. That's the difference.


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Facts about

Hal B. Wallis was not at all happy with Peter Glenville's choice of composer for the film as he'd never heard of Laurence Rosenthal. However, Glenville was adamant, having worked with Rosenthal on the stage version of the play.
As a practical joke, Peter O'Toole had Richard Burton's then wife Elizabeth Taylor take the place of a nude actress lying under a blanket in order to surprise her husband. Burton was not amused.
Originally produced on Broadway in 1959 with Laurence Olivier as Becket and Anthony Quinn as King Henry. When Quinn left the play to make films, Olivier took over the role of Henry and Arthur Kennedy was brought in to play Becket.
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Also directed by Peter Glenville




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