Becket
Debauched King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) installs his longtime court facilitator Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) as the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and loyal lackey in the King's on-going battles with the church. But Becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the King's selfish wishes, causing a rift and an eventual showdown not only between the two men, but also the institutions they represent.
The film earned $9.1M at the global box office.
1 Oscar. 14 wins & 23 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Becket (1964) exhibits precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Glenville's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Thomas Becket
King Henry II
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine
Bishop Folliot
The Pope
Baron
Main Cast & Characters
Thomas Becket
Played by Richard Burton
Saxon commoner who rises to become King Henry II's closest friend and Chancellor, later Archbishop of Canterbury whose loyalty shifts from king to God.
King Henry II
Played by Peter O'Toole
Impulsive Norman king of England who elevates his friend Becket to power, then feels betrayed when Becket prioritizes church over crown.
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine
Played by Pamela Brown
Henry's shrewd and neglected wife who resents the king's devotion to Becket and observes the political drama with calculating intelligence.
Bishop Folliot
Played by Donald Wolfit
Ambitious Norman clergyman who resents Becket's appointment as Archbishop and becomes his primary ecclesiastical opponent.
The Pope
Played by Paolo Stoppa
Political head of the Catholic Church caught between supporting Becket's principles and maintaining diplomatic relations with England.
Baron
Played by John Gielgud
Norman nobleman and member of Henry's court who represents the aristocratic resistance to Becket's influence.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Becket and King Henry II ride together as drinking companions and friends, with Becket serving as the King's loyal Chancellor, indulging in revelry and pleasure while managing the affairs of state.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when The Archbishop of Canterbury dies, and Henry sees an opportunity to control the Church by appointing his loyal friend Becket to the position, believing this will solve his conflict with the clergy.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Becket accepts the position of Archbishop of Canterbury and is consecrated, making an active choice to serve God and the Church rather than continue as the King's political instrument., moving from reaction to action.
At 74 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The confrontation at Northampton Council where Becket openly defies Henry, refusing to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon. The friendship is irrevocably shattered as Henry demands submission and Becket chooses exile., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 111 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Henry's frustrated outburst—"Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?"—sets the murder in motion. The final meeting between former friends fails to achieve reconciliation, and Becket returns to England knowing he goes to his death., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 123 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 83% of the runtime. Becket refuses to flee or defend himself when the four knights arrive at Canterbury Cathedral. He actively chooses martyrdom, understanding that his death will mean more than his life for the principle of Church independence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Becket's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Becket against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Glenville utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Becket within the biography genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Becket and King Henry II ride together as drinking companions and friends, with Becket serving as the King's loyal Chancellor, indulging in revelry and pleasure while managing the affairs of state.
Theme
A character observes that Becket has no honor because he is a Saxon serving a Norman king, introducing the central question: What does it mean to serve one's honor versus one's king?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of 12th century England under Henry II, the relationship between the Saxon and Norman populations, Becket's role as the King's right hand managing church-state conflicts, and the deep friendship between the two men despite their different backgrounds.
Disruption
The Archbishop of Canterbury dies, and Henry sees an opportunity to control the Church by appointing his loyal friend Becket to the position, believing this will solve his conflict with the clergy.
Resistance
Becket resists the appointment, understanding the implications, while Henry insists. Becket debates internally about his identity and duty, knowing that accepting will fundamentally change everything between them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Becket accepts the position of Archbishop of Canterbury and is consecrated, making an active choice to serve God and the Church rather than continue as the King's political instrument.
Mirror World
Becket transforms into his role as Archbishop, adopting austerity and genuine religious devotion. His relationship with the Church and God becomes the mirror that reflects what true honor and service mean.
Premise
Becket defends Church rights against Henry's encroachments, creating escalating conflicts. The former friends become opponents as Becket refuses to bend Church law to royal will, embodying the premise of honor versus friendship.
Midpoint
The confrontation at Northampton Council where Becket openly defies Henry, refusing to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon. The friendship is irrevocably shattered as Henry demands submission and Becket chooses exile.
Opposition
Becket lives in exile in France while Henry's rage and obsession grow. Political pressure mounts from all sides. Henry's barons and the Pope negotiate, but the conflict intensifies as neither man will yield their principle.
Collapse
Henry's frustrated outburst—"Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?"—sets the murder in motion. The final meeting between former friends fails to achieve reconciliation, and Becket returns to England knowing he goes to his death.
Crisis
Becket prepares for martyrdom, making peace with his fate. Henry wrestles with what he has set in motion but cannot stop it. Both men face the dark consequences of their unbending positions.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Becket refuses to flee or defend himself when the four knights arrive at Canterbury Cathedral. He actively chooses martyrdom, understanding that his death will mean more than his life for the principle of Church independence.
Synthesis
The knights murder Becket at the altar. Henry receives the news and comprehends what he has lost. He performs public penance, being whipped by monks at Becket's tomb, submitting to the Church authority Becket died defending.
Transformation
Henry kneels at Becket's tomb, alone and broken, having lost his only friend. The image mirrors the opening camaraderie but shows complete transformation—Henry has learned the cost of honor, and Becket has become a saint and martyr.