Becket (Paperback)

~ Jean Anouilh (Author) "An indeterminate set, with pillars..." (more)
Key Phrases: empty cathedral, four barons, young monk, Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England, King of France (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Portrays the conflict of loyalties between church and state as they influenced the lives of two powerful men in English history.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade; 1st Riverhead Ed edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573225088
• ISBN-13: 978-1573225083
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #452,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From A person who Portrayed Henry II in the play, May 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Chip G) (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Play to Read, Fantastic Film to Watch, August 28, 2003

By	Grant Waara (Lusk, Wyoming, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from a Becket fan...., November 28, 2004

By	butterflyeffect67 ":: Aelis ::" (Ibiza, Spain) - See all my reviews

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....