Plot summary

King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) are life-long friends despite the differences in their ranks and their backgrounds. 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.—garykmcd