The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place between October 11 and 13.

[2] The medals were swept by the United States, with Jed Graef, Gary Dilley, and Bob Bennett taking gold, silver, and bronze respectively.

[2] As there were 64 years between the prior edition of this event and this one, no swimmers returned from the 1900 Games.

The Olympic record was 64 years old, as the event had not been held since the 1900 Games.

In the first heat, Bob Bennett broke the record by over 30 seconds, swimming an unrushed 2:16.1.

Five heats were held; the fastest sixteen swimmers advanced to the semifinals.