Something for the weekend. The theme song from Becket (1964).
Becket (1964), although inheriting the historical howlers that existed in the play, and were known by the playwright Jean Anouilh who wisely preferred a poetic story to prosaic fact, (Becket was Norman not Saxon, Henry II was not a crowned juvenile delinquent, the armor, as is usual in medieval epics, is all wrong for the period, etc.), this classic film helped awaken in me a desire to learn about the history of the Church. With masterful performances by Richard Burton as “the holy blessed martyr” and Peter O’Toole as Henry II, the film brought alive to me as a child the high Middle Ages. The installation sequence brought home to me the important role of ceremony, tradition and symbolism in our Faith, a lesson I have never forgotten.
Bonus: Consecration scene from Becket:
Alas, I’ve only seen portions of the film, but the Excommunication scene is truly impressive. I wish it was used today.
A great story of a great saint. One of my favorite faith movies, second only to A Man For All Seasons.