Film Review: Becket (1964)
Becket (1964)
directed by Peter Glenville
Frames in this review are taken from the MPI DVD.
Some Kings and Queens of England just make for better subjects of drama than others. George IV isn't nearly as interesting a character as George III, and Anne can't hold a candle to the various Henries. Such audacious and colorful characters they were, those Henries! There was Henry VIII, who converted England to Protestantism for purely selfish reasons, and ended up changing the course of history. There was Henry V, as forever immortalized by Shakespeare [link to film review], who established the English claim on the French throne and brought back a French bride from his continental wars.
But it is an even earlier Henry who features in Becket, only the second King of England to carry the name. Although the credits award first billing to Richard Burton in the title role of Becket, the film is as much about Henry as it is about Thomas à Becket. Becket is straightforward and uncomplicated — at first a worldly and scheming advisor to the King, he later becomes resolute in his godliness after becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.
Becket serves as a foil to Henry in their numerous exchanges, and never strays far from the king's mind. But the reverse is not true. Though Becket is troubled by his clashes with his royal friend, there is room only for one mother in his heart. Once he has chosen Rome over England, he experienced no soul-searching bouts of indecision, no questions of turning back. While the film's events are driven by Becket's actions, the plot isn't actually about Becket, but rather about Becket's impact on Henry. Indeed, we would not remember the name Becket today had he not clashed with the king.
Plot and History
As with the most delicious historical dramas, Becket takes many liberties with the facts. French playwright Jean Anouilh introduces racial and class strife into the picture by having Becket come from among the Saxons of England, oppressed by the rule of the imported Norman nobility. But the plot generally follows the broad brushstrokes of history. Henry confers the Chancellorship of England upon his good friend Thomas Becket and goes off to fight Louis VII over some land in Northern France. To fight this war, he has requisitioned soldiers and money from his subjects. However, the Catholic Church of England refuses to contribute, being ever mindful of its wealth and privileges.
In a great stroke of luck, the Archbishop of Canterbury dies, and Henry has the bright idea to install Becket in his place. With his right-hand man heading the Church, he feels certain of finally having checkmated the pesky clergy and ensured their subservience. But once installed in a spiritual position, Becket discovers a newfound purpose and becomes a staunch champion of Church prerogatives. When a clergyman is accused of a crime, Becket insists that only an ecclesiastical court can try him. When one of Henry's nobles orders the man’s execution after an escape attempt, Becket excommunicates the precipitous Lord Gilbert.
An infuriated Henry then tries to strip Becket of his position, serving trumped-up charges of embezzlement during his term as Chancellor. Fleeing England, Becket first finds refuge with Louis VII, then proceeds to Rome to seek Pope Alexander III's interdiction. The Pope warns him to tread carefully, and Becket retreats to a monastery. Finally, Becket reconciles with Henry in a dramatic meeting on the beach, as Henry's and Louis' entourages observe for posterity.
But this reconciliation doesn't last long. Henry takes a stab at Canterbury by decreeing that his son Henry would be crowned in his lifetime at the rival cathedral of York. Afterwards, drinking himself into a stupor with his uneducated nobles at his side, Henry issues the apocryphal line, "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?" The nobles take him literally at his word and slay Becket in the cathedral as he prepares for vespers. But it is Becket who has the last word, for he is declared a saint, and Henry submits himself to the lash as penance for causing Becket’s untimely death. The film is framed as a flashback, as Henry kneels in front of Becket's effigy and talks to his late friend.
