Robert Mitchum was the first to suggest that Elvis Presley go into movies: granted, this is not the sort of revelation one expects to discover while watching Becket, but this surprising digression is just one of the pleasures of Peter O'Toole's lucid and entertaining audio commentary here. Released in 1964, Becket was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning for its screenplay based on Jean Anouilh's distinguished play. Becket pairs two screen titans in their prime: O'Toole and Richard Burton as, respectively, King Henry II and Thomas Becket, whose cherished friendship (whether it is anything more than that is beside the point, says O'Toole on the audio track) is torn asunder in an ill-fated clash between church and state. After being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, the principled Becket defies his king (and former fellow carouser during their “drinking and wenching days”), ultimately spurring Henry to ask, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” Other DVD extras—including interviews with editor Anne V. Coates and composer Laurence Rosenthal, as well as archival interviews with Burton (who doesn't discuss Becket, but does talk about acting, his career, and his demons), and a stills gallery—make this presentation fit for a king. And speaking of a king, O'Toole would play Henry II again four years later in The Lion in Winter. Highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)[Blu-ray Review—Feb. 19, 2009—MPI, 150 min., PG-13, $34.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1964's Becket features a good transfer and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to the previous DVD release, including audio commentary with star Peter O'Toole, interviews with editor Anne V. Coates and composer Laurence Rosenthal, a stills gallery, TV spot, and trailers. Bottom line: a classic makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]
Becket
MPI, 150 min., PG-13, DVD: $24.98 Volume 22, Issue 4
Becket
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