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03/26/09
Becket (1964)
74
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:23
Fresh:17
Rotten:6
Average Rating:7.2/10
Synopsis: Two of the finest actors of their generation, Burton and O'Toole, square off in this splendid production of Jean Anouilh's 1959 play. The lifelong friendship of Henry II and the Archbishop of... [More]
Starring: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Donald Wolfit
Director: Peter Glenville
Reviews for Becket
Top Criticit finds what's compelling about that history and, more importantly, what's compelling about the people in that history. And, just to be on the safe side, it throws in two of the greatest actors of the day.
12/14/08
The respectable but boring film is nevertheless worth watching for the robust performances of Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole
08/02/07
The material remains relevant, and the film as a whole is completely engrossing. (It may be nearly 2 1/2 hours long, but it doesn't feel like it.)
04/21/07
Watching Becket is to see a form of stylized, epic moviemaking not practiced today.
04/20/07
A highlight of 1964, this adaptation of Anouilh's play about the relationship of Henry II and Becket is splendidly acted by O'Toole and Burton (both Oscar-nominated) in a style that honors the long monologues but doesn't feel overly stately or stagy.
04/19/07
O'Toole just keeps turning up the volume, and it's thrilling to watch.
03/23/07
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03/17/07
Top CriticRipe with homoerotic undercurrents -- which O'Toole mines with relish in his great hysterical performance, full of cunning, eloquence and mad outbursts.
03/08/07
Becket may seem like a movie of yesteryear, but its timeliness brims over with rousing, meditative discourses between Henry and the church leaders on the separation of church and state.
03/01/07
Top CriticEverything that Doctor Strangelove is -- daring and inspired, vibrant and brilliantly staged -- Becket is not.
02/23/07
Peter O'Toole plays Henry like Ian McKellan doing a camp cameo.
02/17/07
Peter Glenville's stage-plank direction creaks badly, but the acting still holds you.
02/16/07
The picture is being re-released in 30 cities around the country before finally appearing on DVD after years of online foment from fans.The DVD is due in May, but try to catch it in theaters first. It's worth it.
02/15/07
Burton is extraordinary in one of his rare good movie roles and O'Toole is regally madcap and larger than life.
02/08/07
How could you hope for better casting than Peter O'Toole and his acting rival/drinking buddy Richard Burton playing opposite each other?
02/08/07
A power play about power plays, Jean Anouilh's now-classic Becket provided the basis for one of the great screen pairings.
02/08/07
The pleasure of these two extravagantly gifted actors at the top of their game -- their diction! their conviction! their beauty! -- is enormous.
02/02/07
While peripheral elements of Becket do show their age, the core of the film's appeal remains incandescent, and that is the on-screen collaboration between Burton and O'Toole.
02/01/07
Top CriticMost of the dialogue-driven scenes are a series of two-shots; which is great in seeing the sparks fly between two of the leading British actors of their generation, but plodding when it comes to pace.
01/25/07
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