The Lion in Winter

1968

2h 14m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

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Drama

History

Henry II and his estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, battle over the choice of an heir.

Directors

Anthony Harvey

Writers

James Goldman(screenplay by)

James Goldman(theatre play by)

Stars

Peter O'Toole

Katharine Hepburn

Anthony Hopkins

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Featurette
Watch The Lion in Winter Wins Adapted Screenplay: 1969 Oscars
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Watch The Lion in Winter Wins Original Score: 1969 Oscars
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Watch Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand Tie for Best Actress: 1969 Oscars

Top cast

Henry II

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Richard

Geoffrey

John

Philip II

Alais

William Marshall

Bishop of Durham

Queen Eleanor's Guard

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Lady in Waiting

Lady in Waiting

Directors

Anthony Harvey

Writers

James Goldman(screenplay by)

James Goldman(theatre play by)

All cast & crew

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Katherine Hepburn is simply superb in this depiction of the truly dysfunctional relationship between Eleanor of Aquitaine, the estranged queen of England's King Henry II and her spouse. Peter O'Toole reprises his characterisation from "Becket" (1964), and together they spar and spat with aplomb. Aided by a wonderful screenplay from James Goldman that is full of sarcasm, pith and some wonderfully effective (and brutal) put-downs, we play through this most bizarre of family dynamics. It all centres around a Christmas court for which the Queen is released from her Salisbury house arrest to join the couple's three sons: the ambitious, but sexually ambiguous Richard (Anthony Hopkins), the King's favourite, but pretty weak John (Nigel Terry) and the clever, silent-type, Geoffrey (a lovely, understated, effort from John Castle) at Chinon, where they will also be joined by the young and naive Philippe II, King of France (Timothy Dalton). Director Anthony Harvey now presents us with a stylish and quickly paced illustration of just how this devious, untrustworthy and potentially murderous family were prepared to conspire and manoeuvre to ensure who, eventually, succeed to the English throne. Hepburn and O'Toole have a distinct and effective chemistry between them. She has the best lines, I think, and delivers them with a razor sharp wit - you are never quite certain what either she, or her equally and skilfully manipulative husband are plotting as the sons prove to be pretty selfish, fickle and sometimes quite imbecilic. The film looks great, the sets and costumes are spot on and the whole thing offers an excellent appraisal of the antics of a collection of shrewd 12th century despots.

Geronimo196721 Jun, 2022