Becket
December 2008 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: Blu-ray	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." That phrase comes to mind in assessing the merits of this classic film. It was nominated for a dozen Oscars in 1965, including Best Actor for both Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, but it lost in all categories except Best Screenplay. Moreover, both Burton and O’Toole were nominated for Oscars many times during their careers, yet never won one (O’Toole is still alive and working, so you never know what might happen with him).

Yet this film has gained great respect over the years as one that surely deserved all of its award nominations. It was produced by Hal Wallis, who after producing some of the most memorable classics in cinema history had made a screen success of Elvis Presley. Wallis wanted to get back to something really classy, and he couldn’t have asked for better than this movie. Based on the French play by Jean Anouilh, it was directed by Peter Glenville, who, in 1961, had directed the English-language stage production starring Sir Laurence Olivier as Becket and Anthony Quinn as Henry II. It starred some of the greatest stage actors of the day. In addition to Burton and O’Toole, Sir John Gielgud, greatly admired by Burton, was on hand, as well as Donald Wolfit (O’Toole’s mentor).

The end result was a literate and intense study of the close relationship between Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry II, the reigning monarch of England. The way Burton and O’Toole play it, Henry and Becket greatly loved each other, even when they were at odds. Each of the performances was Oscar worthy, and they stand the test of time very well.

Though the film was originally released by Paramount, MPI somehow got hold of it. The early home-video releases were a disaster. They used faded elements that were torn and tattered and that only hinted at the visual glory of the film. They then let it collect dust on their shelves. Several years ago, the film was restored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Then MPI released it on DVD, now following up with this handsome Blu-ray release. It looks wonderful, with rich color and good detail. The contrast, in particular, is a huge improvement over that of early video releases. Darkly lit interiors have a detail and solidity only hinted at back in the laserdisc era.

The sound is more of a problem. It has been remixed for Dolby 5.1, but I can’t see why. There’s no surround and the tracks overall sound brittle and thin, making dialogue somewhat nasal and the music very unappealing. Fortunately there is also a PCM 2.0 lossless option as well and it is quite robust, with good stereo spread for the music and much more accurate sound for the dialogue. With such great voices on hand as Burton's, O’Toole's, and Gielgud's, one wants to get it right.

The main extra is an extraordinary commentary with Peter O’Toole. This sort of star talk can often degenerate into rambling, but O’Toole is as sharp as a tack, and having Marak Kermode as moderator and interviewer helps keep things focused. In addition to this main commentary, there are short filmed featurettes with composer Laurence Rosenthal and editor Anne V. Coates. It is especially good to have the one with Rosenthal, who just passed away earlier this year. Music can be such a huge part of a film, but it seems often ignored when DVD extras are being prepared. A trailer, TV spot, and still gallery round out the ancillary materials. The gallery is very interesting, presenting black-and-white photographs as well as color lobby cards and poster art.

Looking back, it seems almost criminal that this movie didn’t win more awards, for it stands up to scrutiny today as great entertainment. Thanks to MPI for making it available on Blu-ray as well as DVD.

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