I’m giving this film a severe dressing down! King Henry II of England is frustrated by the Church's involvement in his affairs. Following the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he sees an opening and appoints his close friend Thomas to the significant position. Neither the church nor Thomas Becket anticipate that he will take the role so seriously and devote himself entirely to God; as a result, the strong bond between them transforms into a tense conflict. Adapted from Jean Anouilh's play, *Becket* is an exceptionally well-crafted film, with performances that are truly outstanding. It received 12 Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning only one for Best Adapted Screenplay (Edward Analt), though it easily could have won many more in a different year. Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton portray Henry II and Thomas Becket respectively, and both actors draw strength from each other's dedication to the project, producing remarkable results—a particular scene where they discuss matters while riding horses on a British beach is especially memorable. The costumes, cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth (which looks fantastic thanks to the DVD restoration), sound design, and impressive sets all combine to create a top-tier historical drama. However, even these elements wouldn't be noteworthy if the story itself were lacking; *Becket*'s true strength lies in its narrative about how two close friends drift apart and how secular power separates from religious authority—it’s an absorbing way to spend an evening. Aside from one factual mistake (Becket was Norman, not Saxon), the filmmakers have stayed largely faithful to history, leaving me with what I consider to be one of the finest films in its genre. 10/10

Source on TMDB