Becket (1964): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Becket is a 1964 historical drama directed by Peter Glenville, starring Richard Burton as Thomas Becket, Peter O'Toole and Riggs O'Hara. It is based on Becket by Jean Anouilh and Frederic Raphael. It runs 2 hours 28 minutes and earned $149,327 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 28m (148 min)
- Director
- Peter Glenville
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Becket About?
The premise of Becket without spoilers, adapted from Becket by Jean Anouilh and Frederic Raphael. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a turbulent medieval era of passion and excess, Thomas Becket, long‑time confidant of King Henry II, sees his bond with the hedonistic monarch deteriorate after the king forces him into the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, hoping to secure the Church’s loyalty. The film is driven by powerful performances from two of the period’s leading actors.
Becket Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 12th century
- religion
- england
- martyr
- based on play
- liberty of conscience
- foreign language adaptation
- british history
- tony award source
- sainthood
- fugitive
- assassination
+38 more Show fewer
- murder
- character name as title
- thomas becket character
- queen eleanor of aquitaine character
- king henry ii character
- king louis vii of france character
- pope alexander iii character
- dysfunctional marriage
- period drama
- kingdom of england
- house of plantagenet
- wet nurse
- reference to breast feeding
- 1160s
- 1170s
- chess the game
- epic drama
- archbishop of canterbury
- based on history
- betrayal by best friend
- historical drama
- crucifix
- fork the eating utensil
- co produced by actor
- knife as weapon
- prologue
- cardinal
- political drama
- tie back ending
- signet ring
- social drama
- costume drama
- suicide by stabbing
- epic history
- vatican city
- sword and sandal history
- execution
- insanity
Becket Cast & Characters
Richard Burton leads the cast as Thomas Becket, with Peter O'Toole as King Henry II of England and Riggs O'Hara as Prince Henry (uncredited). Directed by Peter Glenville; 63 actors are credited in all.
- Director Peter Glenville
-
Richard Burton as Thomas Becket -
Peter O'Toole as King Henry II of England - Riggs O'Hara as Prince Henry (uncredited)
-
Felix Aylmer as Archbishop of Canterbury
Also Starring in Becket
· 59 more- Pamela Brown Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Martita Hunt Empress Matilda
- John Gielgud King Louis VII of France
- Paolo Stoppa Pope Alexander III
- Robert Rietti Alexander III (voice) (uncredited)
- Geoffrey Bayldon Brother Philip (uncredited)
- David Weston Brother John
- Elizabeth Taylor Blonde Village Woman (uncredited)
- Graham Stark Pope's Secretary (uncredited)
- Niall MacGinnis Baron
- Siân Phillips Gwendolen
- Donald Wolfit Bishop Folliot
- Victor Spinetti French Tailor (uncredited)
- Michael Anthony Courtier (uncredited)
- Percy Herbert Baron
- John Phillips Bishop of Winchester
Show all 63 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Frederick Piper Monk (uncredited)
- Michael Miller Baron
- Gino Cervi Cardinal Zambelli
- Peter Jeffrey Baron
- Jack Taylor
- Edward Woodward Clement (uncredited)
- Wilfrid Lawson Old Soldier (uncredited)
- Tutte Lemkow French Courtier (uncredited)
- Guy Deghy Man (uncredited)
- Fred Wood Congregation Member (uncredited)
- John Moulder-Brown Boy (uncredited)
- Alex Scott Priest (uncredited)
- Frank Pettingell Bishop of York
- Roy Beck Young French Boy (uncredited)
- Dido Plumb Man in Crowd (uncredited)
- Véronique Vendell French Prostitute
- Patrick Newell William of Corbeil (uncredited)
- Steve Plytas Cardinal (uncredited)
- Linda Marlowe Farmer's Daughter (uncredited)
- Christopher Rhodes Baron
- Magda Konopka Girl on Balcony (uncredited)
- Paul Farrell Farmer (uncredited)
- Ivor Dean Monk (uncredited)
- Chris Adcock Sergeant (uncredited)
- Inigo Jackson Robert de Beaumont
- Patrick Halpin Monk (uncredited)
- Fred Stroud Church Guard (uncredited)
- Ian Cullen Servant (uncredited)
- Rose Howlett Farmer's Wife (uncredited)
- Gerald Lawson English Peasant (uncredited)
- Terence Soall Man (uncredited)
- Hamilton Dyce Bishop of Chichester
- Jennifer Hilary Peasant's Daughter
- George Lane Cooper Soldier (uncredited)
- Dave Clark Soldier (uncredited)
- Garrett Cassell Man (uncredited)
- Royston Tickner Royal Servant (uncredited)
- David Davenport
- Peter Prowse Baron
- Laurence Hepworth Bishop (uncredited)
- Paul Layton Boy (uncredited)
- John Doye Priest (uncredited)
- Laurie Heath Boy (uncredited)
More from Peter Glenville
More films directed by Peter Glenville: Becket (re-release), The Comedians, Term of Trial and Summer and Smoke.
Becket Plot Summary
What happens in Becket from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Thomas Becket is a steadfast advisor and companion to the exuberant King Henry II, a ruler who wants Becket close enough to bend him to his will while indulging in the pleasures of the realm. Henry elevates Becket to Lord Chancellor, a move meant to keep a trusted Saxon ally within easy reach, but it also sows tension as Becket’s responsibilities draw him deeper into the day-to-day workings of the court. The arrangement sparks unease among Henry’s Norman nobles, and it unsettles Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and Empress Matilda, who fear Becket’s rising influence could tilt the balance of power away from the crown’s usual channels.
Full summary
The whole story of Becket, scene by scene
Becket Box Office
Becket grossed $149,327 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$149.3K
- US & Canada
- $149.3K
Becket Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Brian Trenchard-Smith on BECKET
How Well Do You Know Becket?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who portrays Thomas Becket in the film?
Becket Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Becket - Ein Leben gegen die Krone” and “Becket - Macht dem König”.
- Also known as
-
- Becket - Ein Leben gegen die Krone
- Becket - Macht dem König
- Becket, o Favorito do Rei
- 贝克特
- Becket e il suo re
- Бекет
- Μπέκετ
- 雄霸天下
- בקט
- 베킷
- ベケット, ბეკეტი
Seen Becket?
Movies Like Becket
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Henry V, Henry VIII and Henry V.
Becket FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Becket, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Becket?
Becket runs 2 hours 28 minutes (148 minutes).
When was Becket released?
Becket was released on March 11, 1964.
Who directed Becket?
Becket was directed by Peter Glenville.
More films by Peter Glenville Who is in the cast of Becket?
Becket stars Richard Burton as Thomas Becket, Peter O'Toole as King Henry II of England and Riggs O'Hara as Prince Henry (uncredited), among 63 credited actors.
How much did Becket make at the box office?
Becket grossed $149,327 worldwide.
Is Becket based on a book?
Yes. Becket is adapted from Becket by Jean Anouilh, Frederic Raphael and Stephen Raphael.
Does Becket have a post-credit scene?
No. Becket has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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