July 21, 2012
Becket
1964's Becket is a splendid film, if one is into 1960's pompfoolery. Historically inaccurate, it is nonetheless bolstered by exquisite performances by Peter O'Toole as Henry II and Richard Burton as Thomas Becket. Both were nominated for Best Actor Oscars, and both were worthy, but lost out to Rex Harrison for the insipid My Fair Lady. More importantly, Becket also probed new ground in sexuality for these pageantry spectacles.
There is a scene, for instance, where king and Becket, seeking shelter from the rain during a falcon hunt, find a teenaged girl in a hovel. The licentious king fancies taking her to the castle and making her a whore. As an impulse, he actually lifts her burlap dress with a stick in order to ascertain the condition of her genitals.
I first saw this film when I was seven years old. It remains the only sex education I ever had. It imprinted on me like a baby duck on a hipster environmentalist. To this day first dates find the stick a little off-putting, but I always explain it comes from a good place. I still haven't found a way around slacks.
I LOL'd for real.
Posted by: Robert at July 21, 2012 5:48 PMIndeed- and the best part for me was knowing that even Catholics could go around whoring and then become the Archbishop of Canterbury. It made my thrice-daily knuckle glazing seem almost sanctified by comparison. I also love the companion piece, The Lion in Winter, with a still well padded Kate H.
Use the stick on the crotch, with pants. If they collapse it's a boy. If the stick sticks, hose it down first. If she grips it in her red snapper and proceeds to flog you with it, take her home and introduce her to mom.
Posted by: og at July 21, 2012 7:13 PMOh, Og! LOL!
Fuck me, but I dreamed about this movie a few nights ago! Mostly about the king flogging himself.
Posted by: JohnB at July 23, 2012 7:28 PM"Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?"
Posted by: Casca at July 24, 2012 12:48 PMInsight, art and depravity - it's what we come here for.
Posted by: SteveS at July 24, 2012 8:51 PMYou sir, can see through the haze.
Not that it's bad.
I still haven't found a way around slacks.
I was going to suggest something involving fiber optic cable, but og's approach is surely superior!
I LOL'd for real.
Posted by: Keithzfr at January 8, 2013 5:16 PMI LOL'd for real.
Posted by: Rajeswariwuj at January 10, 2013 4:55 PMI LOL'd for real.
Posted by: AnthonySacra at January 20, 2013 9:03 PM