Reviews (39)

Peter O'Toole: A god, a genius, a maniac
I just finished reading a (german) biography about Peter O'Toole and came here to see which movies are available on DVD. Unfortunately this one isn't.
Peter O'Toole was (pardon: still is) an outstanding actor and "Becket" is one of his best movies. He and Richard Burton team up to give the performance of their lives. O'Toole as King Henry II and Burton as his friend and boon-companion and later archbishop Thomas Becket.
Both were nominated for an Academy Award in a leading role and luckily neither of them won it. They both would have deserved the award equally.
Kate Hepburn once called Peter O'Toole a "lousy picker". To often did he choose to do the wrong (=bad) movies and not even his superb acting could save these movies. This time he was right, perfectly right.
Becket is a great movie and I would love to have it in my DVD library.

I Love Being King!
Peter O'Toole says "I love being King," in the so called sequel to Becket. However he might as well mean it in this movie for his performance is so real as to make one think he actually is the king. Richard Burton does a fantastic job as the martyred Archbishop Thomas Becket. Burton's performance reminds one of his another great film (The Robe) where his character was also transformed from a self serving playboy to a pious saint. The scenery, script, dialogue, and direction are all academy award material. The film was so well done it gives one the illusion of being in 12th Century England, the history errors not withstanding. O'Toole is every inch King Henry II in "Becket" as Burton is every inch King Henry VIII in "Ann Of A Thousand Days." This movie is must see for any Anglofile and a must for any video library. It was truly one of Hollywood's greatest movies.

Will this EVER be on DVD??
What a wonderful movie buta horrific version on VHS. Some of the scenes are so dark you have to really stretch to even make out basic facial features. It's sad indeed, with one of the best films by both Burton and O'Toole.

Rendering unto Caesar...
"Becket" explores the question put to Christ two millenia ago of whether man owes his primary loyalty to his monarch or to God. The search for the resolution of that question, and how it was answered, makes "Becket" one of the best historical dramas ever made. Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton are in top form as the young Henry II of England and his partner-in-mayhem Thomas Becket, whose primary interests are wine and women and not necessarily in that order. England in the 12th century was devoutly Roman Catholic, and the Catholic hierarchy enjoyed a level of power and prestige equal to, if not higher than, the king himself. But when the old archbishop dies and Henry needs to appoint a successor in his place, Henry outfoxes everyone by doing an end run around the bishops and naming Becket as the new archbishop. The bishops are upset; they believe Henry intends for Becket to be a puppet figure to be used to further the king's own ends. But to everyone's surprise, Becket takes his job more seriously than Henry ever intended. No one could be more stunned and shocked at this development than Henry himself.

The confrontation between Henry and the clergy is set immediately following the old archbishop's death, when Henry informs the assembled bishops that there will only be one head honcho in England, and that is the king. The bishops are not used to having their power abrogated by anyone outside the church; they answer only to the pope and to God. The king and clergy are on collision course, and Henry, to his chagrin, finds that Becket is solidly on the side of the Church his king has appointed him to represent. There will be no compromise here. The stage is thus set for a fateful confrontation.

One has to wonder: when Henry blurted out his petulant rhetorical question "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?", did he really not expect to be taken at his word? He's made it clear over and over again that he is the king, and the king is the law. So it's hard not to feel a sense of disgust at Henry's hypocrisy as he undergoes a ritual flogging in the cathedral crypt to expiate his guilt at having instigated Becket's murder, and immediately afterwards announces on the church steps that Becket will be venerated as a saint. Power-hungry to the last, Henry has abrogated to himself the privilege of an announcement that should have come from the new archbishop, or from the pope who alone has the power of canonization.

The film has everything going for it: a great plot, two excellent performances by Burton and O'Toole, terrific direction and cinematography, and fine historical accuracy. The Gregorian chant running through the scenes in the cathedral transport the viewer 700 years back in time. For two unforgettable hours, we're part of 12th century England.

And finally, let me add my request to those of the other reviewers of this excellent movie: Will someone please hurry up and release this film on DVD? I'll be first in line to buy it.

Dual Portraits: Monarch and Martyr
Peter Glenville's direction of this film in no way diminishes the quality of acting among members of the cast, notably Burton and O'Toole, both of whom were nominated for an Academy Award for best actor in a leading role; however, Glenville allows a somewhat sluggish pace which reduces the dramatic impact of the plot, and especially of the multi-dimensional relationship between Thomas Becket (Burton) and his monarch, Henry II (O'Toole). In fact, Edward Anhalt received an Academy Award for his adaptation of Jean Anouilh's play. I wish Glenville had made better use of his cast as well as of Anhalt's screenplay. That said, Burton and O'Toole are magnificent. They portray youthful best friends who share a commitment to hedonism...and to little else. Later, Henry II selects an obviously reluctant Becket (by then a priest) to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket's acceptance marks a defining moment which he recognizes but his king does not: Henceforth his highest loyalty will be to Almighty God, not to the occupant of the English throne. Opinions vary as to whether or not the historical Henry specifically ordered Becket's assassination but all agree that he would never have authorized it to be done in Canterbury Cathedral. Nonetheless it was.

This is a visually stunning film, perhaps even moreso than (for example) The Lion in Winter (1968) in which O'Toole also appears as Henry II. Granted, the relationship between Henry and Eleanor in that film is quite different from Henry's relationship with Becket. Also, The Lion in Winter covers only a few days during one Christmas season whereas the timeframe in Becket extends over several decades. However, both films focus on conflicting as well as congenial relationships. In Becket, Henry (in effect) finds himself competing with God for Becket's loyalty and devotion. He loses. The supporting cast is first-rate. Notably John Gielgud (Louis VII), Donald Wolfit (Bishop Folliot), Martita Hunt (Queen Matilda), and Gino Cervi (Cardinal Zambelli). The role of Queen Eleanor (Pamela Brown) is minor when contrasted with Eleanor (Katherine Hepburn) as she is presented in The Lion in Winter.

Question: Why is there no DVD version of Becket?

Those who share my high regard for this film are urged to check out the aforementioned The Lion in Winter as well as Cromwell  (1970), Elizabeth (1998), A Man for All Seasons  (1966), Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), and Mary, Queen of Scots  (1971). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Destructive Power of Evil on Two Souls
Sir Alec gives a riveting performance as an imprisioned cardinal psychologically tortured into questioning himself and his beliefs circa WWII. Jack Hawkins is the perfect foil to witness and instigate Guinness' character's slow deterioration of mind and spirit. In the process, Hawkins' character begins to question his own humanity. Deeply moving and beautifully done. A great study into the mind of man and the dance between good and evil.

Superb acting and interrelation between patient & interrogat
Wonderful acting. Foreshadowing trajic real life death of Jack Hawkins. The Cardinal down trodden, held in captivity, brainwashed, and abused rises through psychological catharsis to prevail over his "analyst"/"captor". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Worth an lazy afternoon watch
Has anything really changed in Haiti? I wonder. Shocker was I thought Taylor was imitating a FRENCH accent and turns out she is GERMAN!Didn't sound German at all

OK movie if you lived thru that era which I did. Nothing special but for a lazy Sunday Afternoon....OK

Conscientious and dull
A disappointment for Greene fans, or at least this one. I found this movie conscientious, slow and obvious, and the acting duo of Burton and Taylor didn't help. Burton's usual tired self loathing seemed phoned in. Taylor's lack of depth gave him nothing to play off of, assuming he was ready to try. She was so carefully made up and coiffed that one was always aware that it was a star turn for Taylor. And the movie is long. What would have been interesting, and might have made an effective movie although it would never have happened, would have been to cast Guinness in Burton's role and Burton in Guinness' role. Yes, Haiti was awful then. And, yes, Haiti is awful now. But no matter how serious the message, a movie's first responsibility is to be well made and effective. The Comedians tries way too hard to be "meaningful."

Amazing cast, fascinating adaptation of Graham Greene novel
Echoing the same all-consuming desire that epitomized their mercurial off-screen reltaionship, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor deliver superlative performances in this powerful drama of politics and passion. Adapting his own best-selling novel for the screen, distunguished author Graham Green delivers a devastating indictment of Haitian dictator "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his regime of terror. Starring: Elizabeth Taylor Alec Guinness Richard Burton Peter Ustinov From the novel by Graham Greene Co Starring: Paul Ford Lillian Gish Screenplay by Graham Green Produced and Directed by Peter Glenville ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Evocative a Timeless !!
Tennessee Williams was a genius. Hal Wallis has assembeled some fine artist for this film. This is Geraldine Page,s great performance and it has been noted so. The film allows closeups and the viewer can drink all the emotions of the characters..something that cannot be done on the stage. Looking even closer one must not leave out the performance of Laurence Harvey as doctor John Buchanan. His detachments hold a stark contrast for the rest of the characters in the film.. A vital element for Alma in this tragic riddle. Elmer Bernsteins score frames the film with a meloncholy air...it,s superb !!

IN THE PARK . alone ... waiting..... at night.
It's THAT final scene that always grabs ya, poor Alma, little desolate sitting there, next to that grotesque stone angel, a bit like Blanche, waiting for that Gentleman Caller, getting by with a little help from her friends, and that ODD, bittersweet conclusion.....

Underrated performances, underrated movie, pre-David Lynch territory, almost Ray Bradbury country, weird, Wonderful Tennessee Williams! Geraldine Page assaults your senses as the repressed, tightly-encorseted spinster masking a volcano of passion - just under the veil! A product of affuent early 20th century domestic repression she pines for the affection of neighborhood hunk Harvey M.D., but to no avail. He has been "taken" by a much younger rival [another devastating scene with Page and Pamela Tiffin as the "bride to be"].

There's plenty a-foot, spot-on performances by Una Merkel as the ever-eccentric mother, and Rita Moreno as the passionate, doomed Rosa BUT its those last moments with Alma [Page] and the salesman [Mr. Goodbar, Ragtime style? - Earl Holliman] in the park, alone, late at night ....that sobers!

Page: Shatteringly brilliant
Thank God for the wonders of Ms. Geraldine Page. If it weren't for her, I doubt that the film would have the same effect. A tragedy unfolds and Ms. Page gives us all emotional aspects of the character she portrays. It is hard to believe that she is not Alma (the character she plays) because her sense of reality in the film is so strong. A lesson for all actors -- she has obviously done her homework -- she is concentrated and resonates with that human pain that exists within all of us. I sorely miss her. I remember seeing this film as a child in the theater and young as I was, I knew I was watching someone extraordinary. We would have sorely lost out without her.

A Summer Viewing Tradition
I cannot get through a summer without seeing this fine film. For me,it captures the sad brevity of summer and the classic melancholy of Tennessee Williams. Paige's performance is a treasure; Harvey's equally memorable. Bernstein's score frames the story perfectly. This movie is an underrated masterpiece. Why it has not been released on DVD is, indeed, baffling to me.

More brilliance from my darling Geraldine
OK...OK...here I go again on the peerless Miss Page...this one will be quite succinct...
SHE IS MAGNIFICENT! RENT IT! BUY IT! DON'T MISS IT!
...where is the DVD? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wanna smile with a warm feeling?
I never forgot this movie after having seen it 30 years ago. When its title was found while searching amongst Danny's films I remembered the story as if it was yesterday. I immediately purchased a copy to show my family, and my son watched it a second time immediately.
As a Jew in France during the Nazi period, Danny's Jacobowsky is in very great danger, out of necessity he teams with a Polish colonel to leave France. The "HOW" of this is humorous(!) and heart-warming. The Jurgens' Colonel and Kay's Jacobowsky compliment each other wonderfully; one is brave the other not, one is clever the other not, one is handsome the other not, one is sensible the other not, etc.
You'll smile time after time throughout the movie!

Delightful!
I love watching Danny Kaye movies! I was not at all disappointed with this one! A taste of what the Europeans went though in WWII. A little suspense. A little love. Some funny situations. Very enjoyable! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A First-Rate French Farce!
Based on a play, Hotel Paradiso is a classic, light-hearted, and absolutely delightful French farce set in turn-of-the-century Paris. The actual storyline is very basic (ie. a married man seeking an evening of romance with a married woman); indeed, it must be basic to possibly allow for the complexity of the situations in which the characters find themselves and each other, the misinterpretations, and the elaborate (and comical) explanations that result. Never was the phrase, "Oh what a tangled web we weave" more appropriate than when applied here.

There are two things that really make this production shine, however. First of all, there are no loose ends. Not only does every character have a role to play, but every single incident that occurs happens for a reason; no scenes have been included whimsically and without purpose. The story at times appears to be coming apart at the seams through misunderstandings and the entailing confusion, but such is in reality an intricately calculated illusion, for this is actually an extremely tightly-woven, carefully-controlled, and well-orchestrated production. It is thoroughly enjoyable for being so well-written, but it is all the more so for being so consummately acted by an ensemble which includes some of Britain's finest.

By way of introduction and to give some idea of what to expect, M. Boniface (superbly played by Alec Guinness) fancies his next-door neighbour's wife, Mme. Cote (Gina Lollobrigida). With Mme. Boniface (a battle-axe of a wife) away for the evening and M. Cote (an architect) away on business for the night, M. Boniface seizes the opportunity to instigate a romantic liaison with Mme. Cote. But where to meet? Well, Mme. Boniface has just received a flyer advertising the newly-opened (and disreputable) Hotel Paradiso. While telling her husband of this disgraceful hotel, Mme. Boniface gives the flyer to her maid, Victoire (a very young Ann Beach--Fresh Field's "Sonya") to dispose of. (Victoire, by the way, has taken a fancy to M. Cote's nephew Maxim (a very young Derek Fowlds--Yes Minister's "Bernard").) In short, M. Boniface has found a place for his tryst with Mme. Cote (unaware that it is to this hotel that M. Cote's business has taken him). As if that's not enough, M. Martin, a friend of the Bonifaces, has arrived unexpectedly with his four daughters, but he must now find a hotel as the Bonifaces haven't enough room. M. Martin overhears Mme. Cote as she confirms the name and address of the hotel and thinks she is recommending it to him. And so the stage is set for what can only be described as a very fast-paced (indeed frantic) and very, very funny evening. One final character that I ought to mention is the police inspector. The role is not a large one, but it's wonderfully played by the late Leonard Rossiter (Rising Damp, Reggie Perrin).

In conclusion, this is a splendid film, and it is sure to be enjoyed by fans of British comedy, for it is the stuff of which so much British comedy is made. It is well written, splendidly acted, and very funny--indeed, what more can one ask of a comedy? Highly recommended! ... Read more