Thomas becket was an english priest, and archbishop of canterbury, who was murdered in canterbury cathedral in 1170. You give the lions of england back to me like a little boy who doesnt want to play anymore. It contains many historical inaccuracies, which the author acknowledged. They have a strong friendship until henry makes becket the archbishop of canterbury. The life and martyrdom of saint thomas becket by morris, john, 18261893. Turner classic movies presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from one of the largest film libraries in the world. Becket is shown as being a guide to henry, but less from a masterpupil standpoint as it is a clever diplomatic with a utilitarian and almost machiavellian sense about. King henry ii peter otoole and royal courtier and confidant thomas becket richard burton are the closest of friends. I would have given away my life laughingly for you. Becket 1964 a sdg twice in a 500year period there was a bold and ambitious british king named henry who had a capable, engaging chancellor and friend named thomas, who was forced to oppose his king over attacks upon the church. Unfortunately, becket takes the job seriously and provides abler opposition to henry. Honor is something that we all must face sooner or later. The archbishop of canterbury, thomas becket was exiled from england by king henry ii due to political conflicts which occurred between them seven years before the beginning of the play. The murder in the cathedral quotes below are all either spoken by thomas becket or refer to thomas becket.
Discussion of themes and motifs in jean anouilhs becket. Becket is the true story of the friendship of king henry ii and thomas becket. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Having spent those years in france, becket has decided to return to england and take up his old position in the church.
Peter otoole delivers an electrifying performance as the mischievous henry ii, who surprises england by naming his fellow rogue and trusted confidant thomas becket richard burton in. Debauched king henry ii installs his longtime court facilitator thomas becket as the archbishop of canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and loyal lackey in the kings ongoing battles with the church. A strong man who wavered for a moment, but then learned one cannot come to terms with evil, and so became a strong churchman, a martyr, and a saintthat was thomas becket, archbishop of canterbury, murdered in his cathedral on december 29, 1170. Becket is a 1964 film about the relationship between thomas becket and henry ii directed by peter glenville. An age brought bristling to life by two of the most exciting stars of our time king henry ii of england has trouble with the church. Study guide for becket film bowling green high school. The brutal event sent a tremor through medieval europe.
Debauched king henry ii peter otoole installs his longtime court facilitator thomas becket richard burton as the archbishop of canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and. Gilberts father was from thierville in the lordship of brionne in normandy, and was either a small landowner or a petty knight. A dramatization of the career of thomas a becket from the time of his appointment to chancellorship of england by king henry ii, through his consecration as archbishop of canterbury, his opposition to henrys efforts to curtail churchly authority, and his assassination in canterbury cathedral on december 29, 1170. The movie tells the story of the conflict between king henry ii and thomas becket. The murder of thomas becket, 1170 eyewitness to history. His parents were quite rich and gave thomas a good education.
Henry shakes the foundations of power in the english church when he appoints becket as the archbishop of canterbury, expecting the appointment allow henry to control both secular and spiritual authority in england. Enjoy all the albums new movie with all faves movie streaming in. A swords crushing blow extinguished the life of thomas becket, archbishop of canterbury, on a cold december evening as he struggled on the steps of his altar. In the film, henry and becket begin as close friends, with becket sharing in much of his kings debauchery. Becket is the story of two men king henry ii of england and thomas becket, who was appointed archbishop of canterbury by henry in 1162.
Oct 29, 2005 but it is an even earlier henry who features in becket, only the second king of england to carry the name. Becket is a terrific example of the historical play or novel turned into a cinematic drama crackling with whipsmart dialogue. The conflict that rocked 12th century england, and which resulted in the assination of thomas becket, archbishop of canterbury, who is now considered to be a saint by catholics and some protestans. Becket is a 1964 britishamerican film about the historic, tumultuous relationship between henry ii of england and his friendturnedbishop thomas becket. Somehow comeys testimony made a 900yearold quote into a meme why was thomas becket invoked. He was born in cheapside, london, on 21 december, which was the feast day of st thomas the apostle. Somehow james comeys testimony made a 900yearold quote. The death of king henry i and the path to the throne of england.
The archbishop of canterbury thomas becket struggles against temptation and personal vanity. The image measures 1176 921 pixels and was added on 1 january 15. 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 a becket. After completing his education he gained a position with theobald, the archbishop of canterbury. Describe the early relationship between thomas becket and henry ii.
The character of thomas becket in murder in the cathedral. In 1154 he was introduced to the newly crowned king, henry ii and they became good friends. Download only donators and contributors can download this picture. Richard burton becket thomas becket more stills and photos from becket. What utensil was discussed as being newly introduced to england. Becket was born about 1119, or in 1120 according to later tradition. John groser, alexander gauge, david ward, george woodbridge, basil burton, thomas stearns eliot. Thomas becket simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John gielgud king louis of france king louis vii of france peter o. He was well educated and quickly became an agent to theobald, archbishop. Public opinion of the time and subsequent history have laid the blame for the murder at the feet of becket s former close personal.
Thomas becket, the movies main character, did not know what honor was until it was too late. Rent becket 1964 starring richard burton and peter otoole on dvd and bluray. Jul 07, 2011 and its the best performance of burton as an actor,greatly catalysed by peter otoole. It is a depiction of the conflict between thomas becket and king henry ii of england leading to beckets assassination in 1170. In other words, what did henry want from the church. Thomas becket, the movie s main character, did not know what honor was until it was too late. Somehow james comeys testimony made a 900yearold quote a meme. Becket full movie online watch full movie blogspot.
I have not read the play, but show this film annually in my senior classes when. Becket is a 1964 britishamerican film based on the jean anouilmade play becket or the honour of god. People used to think his name was thomas a becket, but it is now known to be wrong. He was an intelligent child, who also enjoyed playing sports and hunting. I imagine actors must go mad with delight when they read a script. In the movie becket, honor was a motif throughout the whole movie. An age of rampant lusts, abandon, runaway passions. But it is an even earlier henry who features in becket, only the second king of england to carry the name. Thomas becket was the archbishop of canterbury from 1162 until his assassination in 1170 and was also popular as saint thomas of. Peter otoole delivers an electrifying performance as the mischievous henry ii, who surprises england by naming his fellow rogue and trusted confidant thomas becket richard burton in a career defining role as chancellor. How is power portrayed in the movie and in the play becket. Rather than appoint another pious cleric loyal to rome and the church, he will.
An introduction to the analysis of the medieval england in the movie becket. The life and martyrdom of saint thomas becket internet archive. Watch for free download becket movie online with single fill out the form by clicking on the image of the sign up button. In the first council scene, what major issue did henry ii and the bishop of lond argue so about.
His career was marked by a long quarrel with henry that ended with beckets murder in canterbury cathedral. However, the story of thomas becket richard burton and the relationship he has with his king henry ii played by. Download the tv guide app for iphone, ipad and android. Rather than appoint another pious cleric loyal to rome and the church, he will appoint his old drinking and wenching buddy, thomas becket, technically a deacon of the church, to the post. A historical costume drama of the grandest order, becket is the true story of the friendship between king henry ii and thomas a becket, a royal courtier and confidant whom henry appoints as. This film shows henry and thomas becket roughly equal in age at variance from history, for in this time the age difference of 15 years is practically a generational difference. Thomas becket was the archbishop of canterbury from 1162 until his assassination in 1170. It is a dramatic film adaptation of the play becket or the honour of god by jean anouilh made by hal wallis productions and released by.
Thomas becket biography childhood, life achievements. Jun 08, 2017 somehow comeys testimony made a 900yearold quote into a meme why was thomas becket invoked. But becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the kings. The starring roles are played by peter otoole as king henry ii and richard burton as thomas becket. Thomas becket was born in around 1120, the son of a prosperous london merchant. It is a depiction of the conflict between thomas becket and king henry ii of england leading to becket s assassination in 1170. Find video, photos, forums, blogs and shop for some of the best movies ever made only at tcm. It is a dramatic film adaptation of the play becket or the honour of god by jean anouilh made by hal wallis productions and released by paramount pictures. Richard burton character becket thomas becket peter otoole character his king king henry ii john gielgud character king louis of france king louis vii of france. A sudden clash made them man and martyr which led to murder. But becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the kings selfish wishes, causing a rift and an eventual. Saint thomas becket, chancellor of england and archbishop of canterbury during the reign of king henry ii.
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