Event

Becket

Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?In 12th century England, King Henry II decides to clear up that pesky church/state problem once and for all by making his trusted adviser, and frequent partner in debauchery, Lord Chancellor Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket is reluctant at first, but soon experiences something he has never known before honor, and a cause worthy of his adoration. His singular devotion to the Church creates an enormous rift with Henry, who is devastated by at being abandoned by his friend, puts these two powerful men on a dangerous collision course. Jean Anouilhs stage classic, at the time a smash on the stages of Paris, London, and New York, provided the jumping-off point for the acting pyrotechnics of two legendary stars then at their hottest: the King was Peter OTooles first role post-Lawrence of Arabia, and arguably an even greater performance; while Cleopatra had preemed only a year before Richard Burtons title role, with the dueling tours de force backed by a superlative cast that included Sir John Gielgud as the French King Louis VII and OTooles then-wife Sin Phillips (I, Claudius). Transcending its stage origins, Becket while adapted almost intact benefited from opening out to crisp locations and striking sets, most notably the massive cathedral, with Burtons electrifying scene of excommunication the major addition to the text.England/USA, 1964, 148 min., color Director: Peter Glenville Writer: Edward Anhalt, based on the play by Jean AnouilhThis stunning new 35mm color & Scope print was restored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, with funding from Martin Scorseses Film Foundation.