Goofs
Anachronisms
In the excommunication scene, which took place in 1164, the monks are chanting the Dies Irae, a hymn said to have been composed by Thomas of Celano, who lived from 1200-1260. The hymn is also heard in the opening scene as Henry walks through the cathedral, which would have been in 1173.
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Factual errors
Contrary to one of the film's central plot lines, Thomas à Becket was a Norman (Thomas Bequet), not a Saxon. Jean Anouilh admitted he discovered this after having finished his play, having based it on the outdated 1825 work "The History of the Conquest of England by the Normans", by Augustin Thierry; but he decided that it made a better story the way he had written it.
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Spoilers
Audio/visual unsynchronised
When Henry II is accepting the lashes before Becket's tomb, the sounds he is making do not match the visual footage of his mouth.Share this
Continuity
When Henry II's men kill Brother John, Becket turns to them. The next shot shows Becket still in prayer facing away and then begins to turn.Share this
Continuity
When Henry II's men come to Canterbury to assassinate Becket, Becket is facing the altar. The long shot shows Becket walking toward them in the distance. The next shot shows Becket still facing the altar.Share this
Continuity
During the assassination scene, Brother John raises the silver cross to strike a soldier. When the camera angle changes after John is stabbed, he has no cross, though it isn't shown or heard being dropped.Share this
