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It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. Be the first to contribute. All All. Sign In. King Henry II of England comes to terms with his affection for his close friend and confidant Thomas Becket, who finds his true honor by observing God's divine will rather than the King's. 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. Bare to the waist, the King kneels to receive a flogging from Saxon monks.

Thomas becket story

He begins to reminisce, recalling at first the carefree, promiscuous adventures with Becket, then his favorite drinking and wenching companion. A violently emotional drama that probes the changing relationship between two young men - between two close friends bound together by similar pride of flesh and spirit, who become deadly enemies as they pursued their separate destinies, that of King, and saint.

For the Norman King, his Saxon subject is also a confidant, giving him advice and offering loyalty he finds rarely amongst the Barons who serve him. The King is in constant conflict with the Church who refuse to contribute to the financing of his war to recover lost territory in France and jealously guard the tax-free status given to them by previous monarchs.

The King sees an opportunity to change the status quo and appoints Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury when the post becomes vacant. He does not count on his loyal vassal's devotion to the Church and to God above any loyalties that he may once had to the throne. The clash of these two powerful personalities inevitably leads to destruction.