DVD

Becket.

Summary:

Despite differences in rank and background, King Henry II and Thomas Becket are lifelong friends. The King is in constant conflict with the Church, which refuses to contribute financing to his wars in France, and jealously guards the tax-free status granted it by previous monarchs. When the Archbishop of Canterbury dies, Henry has a brilliant idea: rather than another pious cleric loyal to Rome, he will appoint his old friend, Thomas Becket--technically a deacon--to the post. Unfortunately, Becket takes the job seriously, holding devotion to God and the Church above his loyalty to the throne, or the person of its inhabitant. In opposition to Henry, he proves abler than his predecessors do, and the clash of two powerful personalities leads to destruction.

Record details

ISBN: 0788604708
ISBN: 9780788604706
Physical Description: 1 videodisc (approximately 150 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Distributor: [Orland Park, IL] : MPI Home Video, [2007]
Copyright: ©2007

Content descriptions

General Note:	Motion picture screenplay based upon the play "Becket" by Jean Anouilh, as translated by Lucienne Hill and produced on the New York stage by David Merrick. Originally produced as a motion picture in 1964. Special features: Stills gallery; Interview with composer Laurence Rosenthal (13 min.); Interview with editor Anne Coates (8 min.); TV spot (30 sec.); Richard Burton interviewed by Ludovic Kennedy (1977, 13 min.); Richard Burton interviewed by Kenneth Tynan (1967,14 min.); Commentary with Peter O'Toole.
Formatted Contents Note:	Opening credits -- "In the year 1066" -- Noble Thomas Becket -- Thrill of the hunt -- Gwendolen's sweet voice -- Business before pleasure -- Inevitable conflict of interest -- New Archbishop of Canterbury -- Higher loyalty -- Friendship torn -- Excommunication leads to accusations -- Trial of Thomas Becket -- Exile -- Meeting of old friends -- King's heavy heart -- Return from exile -- Posthumous declaration.
Creation/Production Credits Note:	Director of photography, Geoffrey Unsworth ; editor, Anne V. Coates ; music, Laurence Rosenthal ; production design, John Bryan ; costume designer, Margaret Furse.
Participant or Performer Note:	Richard Burton (Becket), Peter O'Toole (the King), John Gielgud (King Louis of France), Gino Cervi (the Cardinal), Paolo Stoppa (the Pope), Donald Wolfit (Bishop Folliot), David Weston, Martita Hunt, Pamela Brown, Percy Herbert, Sian Phillips, Inigo Jackson, Felix Aylmer, Niall MacGinnis, Christopher Rhodes, John Phillips, Frank Pettingell, Veronique Vendell, Jennifer Hilary, David Davenport, Hamilton Dyce, Peter Jeffrey, Michael Miller, Peter Prowse, Jack Taylor.
Target Audience Note:	MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13.
System Details Note:	DVD; Region 1, NTSC; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo; anamorphic widescreen presentation, aspect ratio 2.35:1.
Language Note:	In English, dubbed Spanish or French with optional subtitles in English.
Awards Note:	Winner, 1964 Academy Awards for Best Writing: Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium--Edward Anhalt; Winner, 1965 Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture, Drama--Hal B. Wallis; Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama--Peter O'Toole; Winner, 1965 BAFTA Film Awards for Best British Costume, Colour--Margaret Furse; Best British Art Direction, Colour--John Bryan; Best British Cinematography, Colour--Geoffrey Unsworth.