Becket
US (1964): Drama
A high-class costume drama with a substantive historical basis, Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Thomas à Becket (Richard Burton), a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously, he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King, who finally orders the death of his once-close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'Toole is even better: both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, while Edward Anhalt's screenplay, based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh, won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today, while the top-notch production values ensure Becket's place as one of Britain's better historical epics. Cast also features John Gielgud, Donald Wolfit, Martita Hunt, Pamela Brown and Siân Phillips. (Don Kaye, All Movie Guide)
12 nominations, 1 Award
· Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1964 : Edward Anhalt
· Best Picture 1964: Hal B. Wallis - Producer (Wallis, Paramount)
· Actor 1964: Peter O'Toole
· Actor 1964: Richard Burton
· Supporting Actor 1964: Sir John Gielgud
· Directing 1964: Peter Glenville
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1964: John Bryan & Maurice Carter - Art Direction, Patrick McLoughlin & Robert Cartwright - Set Decoration
· Cinematography (Color) 1964: Geoffrey Unsworth
· Costume Design (Color) 1964: Margaret Furse
· Film Editing 1964: Anne V. Coates
· Music Scoring Awards (Music Score substantially original) mus: Laurence Rosenthal
· Sound 1964: John Cox (Shepperton Studio Sound Department)