Becket [DVD9] (1964)

Storyline: As the story opens, King Henry II, who ruled England from 1154 to 1189 has entered Canterbury Cathedral to do penance at the tomb of his former friend, Thomas Becket. Bare to the waist, the king kneels to receive a flogging from Saxon monks. He begins to reminisce, recalling at first the carefree, promiscuous adventures with Becket, then his favorite drinking and wenching companion. A violently emotional drama that probes the changing relationship between two young men - between two close friends bound together by similar pride of flesh and spirit who become deadly enemies as they pursue their separate destinies . . . that of king . . . and saint.

Beschreibung: England, 1162: Heinrich II., König von England, ernennt nach dem Tod des Erzbischofs von Canterbury an Stelle eines romtreuen Kirchenmannes seinen langjährigen Freund Thomas Becket zum neuen Bischof. Doch die Freundschaft der beiden nun gleich mächtigen Männer leidet bald unter Beckets neuem Amt, da er zum Unwillen Heinrichs seine eigene Auffassung von den Vorrechten der Kirche hat und für diese bedingungslos einsteht. Es kommt zum Bruch zwischen den beiden, und die Freundschaft endet in erbitterter Feindschaft …

IMDB: 8.0/10 from 6,478 users Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 22 nominations

Country: USA
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Release Date: 11 March 1964 (USA)
Time: 148 min
Languages: English, German
Subtitle: NO
Director: Peter Glenville
Cast:

Richard Burton … Thomas Becket
Peter O'Toole … King Henry II
John Gielgud … King Louis VII of France
Gino Cervi … Cardinal Zambelli
Paolo Stoppa … Pope Alexander III
Donald Wolfit … Bishop Folliot
David Weston … Brother John
Martita Hunt … Empress Matilda
Pamela Brown … Queen Eleanor [of Aquitaine]
Sian Phillips … Gwendolen (as Sian Phillips)
Felix Aylmer … Archbishop of Canterbury
Percy Herbert … Baron
Inigo Jackson … Robert de Beaumont
Niall MacGinnis … Baron
Christopher Rhodes … Baron