Customer Reviews

Becket

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of my favorite plays. While Anouilh made Becket a Saxon (historians say he was in fact, a Norman), and that a decade's time is compressed to make a two plus hour play or movie, the fact is that "Becket" is a fast moving, epic saga which dramatizes one of the most heartbreaking episodes in English history.

Ignore the negative reviews here. I highly suggest you go see the play if you're lucky enough, or rent the movie with two superb performances from Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton.

One last note. While plays tend to suffer when just being read and not performed, "Becket" is a glad exception. It's superbly written and it goes by briskly.

Becket is a marvelous dramatical production. Often, it's deep and complicated nature does not entertain average audiences. However, the play deals with the drastic conversion, already brewing within Thomas, spurred by a childish king. Henry is truly the most remarkable character in the play to portray. His childishness and regality class in a torent of anguish with his best friend, and worst enemy, Thomas Becket! This play is a must read for everyone!

I love this play! It's one of my favourites and a wonderful complement to Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral". The movie with Richard Burton as Becket is also outstanding. I always carry it along with me when I go in a journey along with Eliot's "Four Quartets". It shows the humane side of Becket, it is a great study on the human soul. I cannot reccomend it too much. This is the stuff heroes are made of....

First of all, I just want to say that this was one of the greatest books I've ever read. It was fascinating and original. A powerful account of the relationship between two friends. A stunning story of a man who finds honor in the last place he thought he would, and the pain it causes when he is forced to defend it.

A terrific read. I agree with most of the reviews here. The story is about two giants of their time, who turn on each other through folly and necessity. That mythological study alone makes this good. Add onto it the scope of a king and an archbishop, a man looking for advise and power and another looking for a purpose in life. Anouilh's stage directions also add an excellent imagery to the story, stark and minimal that evokes an emphasis on the relationships between Henry and Becket. This is a great companion to The Lion in Winter and A Man for All Seasons. From an actor's point of view both leads are attractive, one being furious and physical and the other an internal ball of conflict and spiritual discovery.

I don't know what the English translation is like, but the book was great in the original French. Anouilh does a wonderful job with the psychology of his characters. It's not for historical purists, though, because there are several historical inaccuracies. (For example, Thomas was not a Saxon; this is a persistant legend but he was actually a Norman. Also, his personality was somewhat different in real life.) This play served as the basis for the 1964 movie Becket.

"Becket" does rise an interesting question about honor, but I didn't enjoy it too much. It was interesting though, how Thomas's instincts, beliefs and morals change when he is appointed archbishop. I don't think there is any possible way that he can change so drastically overnight. Sure, he could have become a religious man, but his WHOLE life changed so quickly. Who knows?

This book is not very good. The plot is undeveloped and there are many scenes in the play that have no meaning at all. I adivise against buying this book, it is a poor use of your money.

There was something about this book that I just didn't like. Even though its a true story, it seemed a little exaggerated, especially in regard to the king.