I love Brit-centric historical dramas. I was first in line for “The Queen” DVD, and I tune in for “The Tudors” every Sunday night right on the button. I like the vintage fare too—”Cromwell”, “Lion in Winter” and “Elizabeth R” are among my very favorites. So popping the shiny new “Becket” disc into my player practically had me bowing to the silver king.

But instantly, my hopes were dashed. Based on a highly literate (read: dry) stage play, shot largely on a soundstage, played out with obviousness, shot flat and accompanied by a goofy score, 1964’s “Becket” is beyond dated right from the first frame to the last.

The staid story follows the turbulent yet strong friendship between King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) and his carousing buddy/political advisor, Thomas Becket (Richard Burton). Becket, formerly just a buddy, becomes the monarchy’s chancellor out of necessity: When ambitious Bishop Folliot of London (Donald Wolfit) tries to force the hard-willed Henry to yield by claiming that God’s will is above a royal’s, Henry parries by installing the loyal and fierce Becket as his chancellor. But Becket takes his job too seriously and winds up being accused as a traitor to the crown (it takes hours to get there in the movie—consider this the Reader’s Digest version of events!).

Throughout this Academy Award-winning film, there are some very tame, sexual undertones between the two men (and some allusions to their having threesomes…with a woman only barely involved), but the talky tale is mostly just monologue tradeoffs between the two consummate actors.

Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, fans of the film will undoubtedly find the restored MPI release worth a look (or at least a listen: O’Toole offers up a very interesting new commentary, moderated by film historian Mark Kermode). There’s also a making-of documentary which reveals some fun tidbits about on-set shenanigans (one funny story involves Burton’s then-wife Elizabeth Taylor) and some insights as to how the great contemporaries really regarded one another.

Popularity: 2% [?]