I've watched many films lately; some good, some not so good, and one or two that were actually bad. But even for the good films I've seen, it's been a while since I watched a film with the depth of 'Becket'. Kings, queens, chancellors, deacons, priests, popes, Normans, Saxons, the desire for power, the desire for wealth, mere mortals challenging the power and authority of God, stories of murder, stories of infidelity, stories of perceived betrayal... the list goes on.

'Becket' is set in the early 12th Century (Thomas lived from 1118 to 1170), at a time when the Catholic faith was firmly entrenched in England, and when the King and his men held (almost) all of the power. The word 'almost' is a vital qualification here to take into account the strong influence that the Archbishop of Canterbury held over the mass of the people at the time. And it is the coming together of these two giants - the Bishop and the King, with their differing claims for authority and their desire to follow their individual convictions, which allows the subsequent drama to unfold in true Shakespearean style.

Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole are tremendous in their lead roles; each one exuding the presence that indicates they were born to star on the big screen, and each fully deserving of their Oscar nominations. The period settings and imposing backdrop of Canterbury Cathedral add true atmosphere to the film, and the Oscar winning script ensures the action - and the arguments - keep viewers entranced for the film's 2.5 hour length. However, should you wish to watch it in more than one sitting, the film divides up nicely into two halves; with a marked break to move into the second act after King Henry has received Thomas's devastating message through his companion Brother John... one of many great scenes.