Becket
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Movie Reviews of Becket
Movie Review: The movie he was born to play
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, when the "he" is Peter O'Toole, one of the greatest that ever was, you know this movie must be something. In fact it is. Paring (and soon sparing) two of the best actors of all time, with Peter O'Toole in what was called the role of his life, creates a masterpiece of cinema. and certainly the greatest of the "castle flicks".
The details have been mentioned at length, I just wanted to add that it belongs in any movie collection. It is also based on a real historical drama, one that would in no small part determine history as we know it. The struggle between church and state for power, both political and over the hearts and minds of the people, is the backdrop for what becomes a very personal struggle in this film. Nevertheless it lends those personal struggles an importance that makes them never seem silly or self obsessed. In today's struggles we can see that the question of church and state still burns hot in many countries.
One final note: i first saw this film when i was 12 or 13, on the big screen, and was impressed even then, def. suitable for all ages.
Movie Review: Shouldn't it be titled Chinese Democracy by now?
Summary: 5 Stars
Seeing this film with two greats was the only good thing about my Senior English class in high school. Peter O' Toole had been and is still a favorite based on his performance as Alan Swann in My Favorite Year and over the years I've come to love Burton as an occupational hazard (teaching English). It boggled the mind that this was not out on DVD. I imagine a lot has to do with Peter being in that Venus film, and at the same time, the three month wait has me concerned. I'll believe it when I see it. And I hope I get to see it on my television soon.
"But Henry, your children--"
"I HATE MY CHILDREN!"
"And you, Henry III. Watch me put my royal foot up your royal buttocks!"
Signed,
epsteinsmutha
P.S. 30 May 2007. Got it. It's beautiful. What improves upon perfection is Peter O' Toole utterly laying waste to the moron interviewing him on the commentary track. Clearly this doofus is out of his element in dealing with one of the last great actors of the performing arts.
Movie Review: Finally
Summary: 5 Stars
Anticipating the release of "Becket" to DVD what a wonderful surprise to have it released theatrically for a limited engagement. "Becket" was the most satisfying experience I had in a cinema in a year and that's pretty high praise for a year that saw "The Departed", "Pan's Labyrinth", and "Little Miss Sunshine". After seeing it I wanted to go back to experience the magic again. "Becket" may be a period piece but it's more of a character study about two friends who've grown estranged due to philosophical differences. The spectacle of this film is the kinetic chemistry of two of the finest actors ever squaring off. Richard Burton's understated Becket and O'Toole's over-the-top Henry meld, even when they don't share screen time, like fine wine. These are two actors at the top of their game that it is not unimaginable that Burton and O'Toole could switch roles and the film would be just as good. This is one of the rare instances where a star rating does not do the film justice.Movie Review: An old friend revisited at last...
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this film in the movie theater in 1964, and then saw it done on stage a few years later, (with Joseph Wiseman, the original "Dr. No" in the first James Bond film, as Becket.) Nothing more of it for 40 years until last night. My goodness, it holds up so much better than I expected, and is still worth the 2.5 hours it takes to see it. Here are O'Toole and Burton at nearly the height of their powers, supported by wonderful character actors, in a script that combines humor, tragedy and eloquence in equal measures. If there is a flaw, it would be that in a few spots, the Broadway play origins come through, and the need for solo speeches slows down the movie-making magic...but only for a minute or two at a time, and the words are so good, and uttered so skillfully, that the trade-off is worth it. This is great fun, and, along with "A Man for all Seasons" tops the list of historical epics in this fan's opinion.Movie Review: Another great classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I've wanted to watch this movie ever since I visited Canterbury, even though I recalled seeing bits and pieces of it. I was amazed at how hard it was to find a copy of it, even though I distinctly remembered seeing it on VHS. It was not available on DVD. I had to wait some time for it to be re-released but it was worth it. The performances in this film were everything I wanted them to be. The only thing that surprised me was the scene of Becket's murder. I've stood on the very place where Becket was literally hacked to death, but it was in a small chapel off on the side of the cathedral and not the main chamber. If I remember correctly the Knights who murdered him would have had to climb down stairs, not up them. But these are trivial things. The bigger things, the limits of secular power and the power of belief, these are the important ideas that the movie does an excellent job of conveying.