Watch Murder in the Cathedral

In 1951, director George Hoellering brought one of T.S. Eliot's most acclaimed works, "Murder in the Cathedral," to the big screen. The film follows the story of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his tumultuous relationship with King Henry II in 12th century England. The story begins with Becket returning from a seven-year exile, granted by the king for his disagreement with the monarch's views on the rights of the Church. Becket is welcomed back by his people with great fanfare, but he is aware of the dangers lurking around him. As he delivers his sermon at the Canterbury Cathedral, he warns of the great threat facing the Church and his own life, proclaiming that he is willing to die for his beliefs.

As Becket tries to navigate the tricky relationship between the Church and the Crown, he also has to deal with the ambitions of his own fellow clergy who are only too happy to do the king's bidding. When the king's men arrive in Canterbury to force Becket to comply with his demands, the archbishop refuses to back down, leading to a tense confrontation.

The main focus of the film is on the events leading up to Becket's murder in the cathedral, an event that shocked England and the world. It is said that Becket saw his own death coming, and the film does a wonderful job of capturing this sense of impending doom. John Groser's portrayal of Becket is fantastic, balancing his deep faith with his knowledge of the political machinations surrounding him.

The film is notable for its use of a chorus to comment on the action and offer insights into Becket's inner thoughts. Eliot had written the play in verse and the decision to maintain this style in the film only adds to its poetic beauty. The use of the chorus adds to the atmosphere of the film, and it is an engrossing experience watching them interact with the characters on screen.

The cinematography is striking and captures the grandeur of the Canterbury Cathedral, which serves as a central location in the film. The lighting is used to great effect, with the play of light and shade enhancing the drama of the story. The film also benefits from a strong supporting cast, including Donald Bisset as King Henry and Clement McCallin as one of the knights who ultimately commits the murder.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is how it manages to convey the tension between the forces of the Church and the State. Becket's struggle to maintain the independence of the Church in the face of the king's demands is a theme that resonates to this day, and the film does an excellent job of reminding audiences of the importance of this separation.

"Murder in the Cathedral" is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally compelling. It manages to capture the complexity of a historical event and turn it into an engrossing drama that is still relevant today. The use of verse, the impressive performances, and the gorgeous cinematography make this a film that is worth seeing again and again. If you are looking for a classic film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, "Murder in the Cathedral" is an excellent choice.

Murder in the Cathedral is a 1952 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.