The Lion In Winter Movie
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The most significant reserved seat attraction of the year!
In 1183 Henry II summonses his sons Richard, John, and Geoffrey to join him and his prison-bound wife Eleanor at Chinon for a family Christmas, along with King Philip II of France and his sister Alais, Henry's mistress. Philip is insisting Alais now marries John as agreed years before else he wants her dowry, the lands of the Vexen, back. As Eleanor has already given the province of Aquitaine to Richard, the outcome of this may decide the very future of England. Everyone present except perhaps Alais are masters of double-dealing and deceipt, so it could be a lively Yuletide.
| Peter O'Toole | Henry II |
| Katharine Hepburn | Eleanor of Aquitaine |
| Anthony Hopkins | Richard |
| John Castle | Geoffrey |
| Nigel Terry | John |
| Timothy Dalton | King Philip of France |
| Jane Merrow | Alais |
| Nigel Stock | Capt. William Marshall |
| Kenneth Ives | Queen Eleanor's guard |
| O.Z. Whitehead | Bishop of Durham |
| Ella More | Lady in Waiting |
| Karol Hagar | Strolling player |
| Anthony Harvey |
7.90 out of 10 (8367 votes)
Visitor Reviews
The best of its kind.
posted on 23 Jul 2009This is a movie for people who are interested in more than special effects and inane dialogue. Contrary to most, if not all, of what is spewed out of Hollywood these days to an increasingly undiscerning audience, this one requires some thought and attention. The dialogue, at times, demonstrates the heights to which prose can rise, and the situations are as real as any that the common person might face. Alienation from loved ones, striking out at those we love because they hurt us, failing to gain what we seek because we accept less than what we truely desire; in short, the common human experience. Yet it ends on a positive note, one that affirms that the deeds of the past may yet be swallowed by the possibilities to come. The acting is well done, and the characters well defined. It is a movie that stands apart, and one that will be remembered by all who demand quality in their entertainment.
superb wordplay
posted on 22 Jul 2009Lion In Winter has been the standard by which I'd judge any film's screenplay. Not a word is wasted and every nuance of inflection and timing has bearing on the development of the characters or of the plot.All these actors are of the highest calibre, but it's this film that convinced me completely of Katherine Hepburn's right to every accolade an actor could receive. Peter O'Toole is in the same class and together they portray a gripping relationship of genuine love, overriding ambition and calculated vengeance. Henry and Eleanor have known eachother so intimately that they know every button to push for the desired response. At a time when life was even shorter and cheaper than it is now, it was important to know your friends and enemies and to keep them close.Lion In Winter makes the best possible use of the English language in action as dialogue. We are encouraged to look for the meaning and relevance of every phrase. It's also a great rollercoaster of a plot - twisting all the time. None of these characters are angels - each has an element of true subterfuge, yet we are strongly tempted to take and change sides.Superbly intriguing and a very rewarding way to spend 134 minutes of your life.
Great
posted on 04 Jul 2009I love this film. It is one of my all-time favorite movies. Is it historically accurate? I'm sure it's not. But the acting and the dialogue make it great.It is worth noting that Eleanor of Aquataine was 11 years older than Henry II - making her 61 in 1183 - so Katharine Hepburn, is actually about the right age for the part.
Worth the price just for O'Toole and Hepburn.
posted on 26 May 2009It has a fairly young Peter O'Toole stepping *up* in age (most actors play younger instead of older) to play a king of 50; and it has a 60-ish Katharine Hepburn in probably her greatest role and the role which best fits her high-tone style of speak. And the story and script (swathed in family dysfunction), courtesy of James Goldman, is stunning indeed. Though the royal leads are married, they compete for everything and are at constant verbal odds regarding the successor to the throne and the spoils that go with it. Henry has one favorite son; Eleanor has a different favorite son. Problem is, there are three sons, a mistress, an adoring public, and a visiting king of France- all crashing together during the warm, fuzzy, Christmas holiday.The film's medieval detail is marvelous (shooting was in Ireland, Wales, and France), but the witty, literate, scenes with O'Toole and Hepburn alone are worth the price of admission:Eleanor: "What would you have me do- Give up? Give out? Give in?" Henry (seething): "Give me a moment's peace." Eleanor: "Why so modest...how about eternal peace- now there's a thought."As a result, it paces more like stage theater and the film action is minimal. But Anthony Harvey directs marvelous, Oscar-nominated performances and can be heard analyzing such on the DVD's special material.
You're Still My Lady...
posted on 21 May 2009Welcome to the world of the Plantagenets. At Christmas Court, Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn portray Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine trying to select a successor to the throne. Now this is what can be truly called..'Acting'..in all its' senses. They both bring such strength and believability to their respective roles that you really feel what the twelfth century court could have been like.
After all the fights, plots and vicious verbal battles are thrown around, you still feel the love, care and respect that Henry and Eleanor had for one another. This is the kind of movie that should make anyone want to learn more about Medieval History. A one of a kind movie that shouldn't be missed.
Yellowing With Age
posted on 05 Apr 2009This movie regarding the family intrigues of the mighty Plantagenet dynasty founder, King Henry II of England and his equally formidable wife Elanor of Aquitaine, slips too often on the tightrope into absurdity to be called a great film. I mean this just goes on and on and on. The dialogue is clever but its just a little too clever, and it becomes too much a 20th century motion picture than the period piece of its intent. Henry has 3 surviving sons, Richard the Lionhearted, Geofrey The Forgotten and John Lackland of Robin hood and Magna Carta fame. The premise of the film, a sort of King Learish, "How Shall I Leave My Kingdon" Within the timespan of about a week id say, the inheritance flipflops between all three brothers, wars are declared and then rescinded, and a sumptious Christmas feast is enjoyed. Its too much, too cluttered and too forced. Peter OToole, I suppose hes a great actor but his manic depressive style now seems a product of 1960s and its just hard to take seriously now. Katherine Hepburn as usual, is too old for her role, but I think she redeems herself better than her male counterpart. The 3 princes in all fairness, are superbly acted. If you are a history buff, you may draw some satisfaction out of seeing these famous historical occurences dramatized but you may just get weary of it all and pick up your copy of War and Peace for relaxation. For a better execution of British history on the silver screen, see instead A Man for All Seasons.
LION IN WINTER-Great Cast, Story, a Magical FIlm Experience
posted on 16 Mar 2009I never saw this great 5 star film when it first came out in 1968. In fact, I didn't even know of its existence until late in 1977 when a friend who is a professional film editor and collector brought a 16 mm print to my home in Connecticut and gave me a private screening.
We saw this film in the late evening and the magic of that night and the performances of the great cast were something to be remembered. The cast included the one and only Peter O'Toole, the great Katharine Hepburn, as well as Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Timothy Dalton. This film came at a time of some of the most powerful bellowing of Peter O'Toole and Anthony Hopkins revealed what a brilliant acting future he would have.
It seemed like all members of the cast were made for each respective role and the acting was sheer magic. The musical score was also very beautiful as were the elaborate sets and costumes which all helped to transport me back in time and establish the wonderful period mood.
Classic Classic Classic
posted on 12 Mar 2009The Lion in Winter may be very talky, but it still keeps me wondering what this family will argue about next. Not only am I glad Katharine Hepburn won an Academy Award for her role, but I also think Peter O' Toole should've won. It was also great to see a young Anthony Hopkins in his first role, and he was still great even for a first.10/10
Historical Drama at it's Best
posted on 28 Feb 2009Over the Christmas holiday of 1183 King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) of England (and various other territories including much of France) summons his family to join him. He is attended by his wife Eleanor (Katherine Hepburn) of Aquitaine (released from her imprisonment for the holidays) and his sons; Richard (Anthony Hopkins) the future King Richard the Lionheart, Geoffrey and John (Nigel Terry) later King but best known to most as Prince John as well as Henry's mistress Alais and King Phillip II (Timothy Dalton) of France. While attempting to maintain a veneer of family and friends the various characters constantly scheme and plot both with and against one another jockeying for favor and position.While the film has exceptional production values the principal enjoyment comes from the performances and the writing. All of the principles engage in numerous discussions with one another that are layered with both meaning and subtext.While the protagonists are actual historical figures, the film covers a fictional gathering. The internecine struggles amongst the family are well documented and the discussions and confrontations depicted here may have happened elsewhere and at different times have been distilled here for story telling purposes.The film was directed Anthony Harvey for whom this would be his career high point as a director, though he also had considerable success as an editor on some very good films. The wonderful score by John Barry would win him one of his 5 Oscars.The film would win three Academy Awards for Best Actress – Katherine Hepburn, Best Screenplay and Best Score. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor – Peter O'Toole and Best Costume Design.Although Hepburn was 25 years O'Toole's senior and its somewhat apparent if you look for it, they are both so effective in their performances that its a non issue.
Royal Disfunctional Family
posted on 30 Jan 2009Exceptional performances of royal family intriques and betrayals. The double and triple crosses are both tragic and comedic. No one can be trusted. This is a drama borne upon words. It is an intelligent person's film. Not for those mezmerized by bloodletting and carnage action films.
Family Angevin of Plantagenet will never be the same
posted on 03 Jan 2009Henry Plantagenet II has never been more humorously represented. A very bold movie. Definitely a triumph! Middle Ages' England at its most clear-cut, most certainly. Captures the perverseness of the Catholic Church in that time, and the ways in which monarchs could worm out of anything. Applause doesn't do it proper service!
A Real Gem, Unsurpassed Performances, Dialogue, and Story
posted on 25 Dec 2008This film is a continuation of King Henry of England,(see Thomas Beckett)it contains more poison wit than any other movie I have ever seen,you will need to sit through it several times to catch it all, but you won't mind, you'll treasure the time. O'Toole and Hepburn are at their very best. A must see for Anthony Hopkins fans, who plays a tormented oldest son of King Henry (Richard The Lion Hearted). The writters were brillant. After a brief opening the remainder of the film takes place at one location the Kings winter castle. How many movies do you know of that take place in one set and can keep your interest throughout? Even my teenage kids enjoyed this one, dispite the fact that its all dialogue. This is one of the few movies I can sit through time and again. Pray that this movie is re-issued its too great a movie not to be seen.
Best Christmas film ever.
posted on 13 Dec 2008A family gets together for the holidays and reminice about old times and make plans for the future. Mom (Elinore of Aquitane) is let out of her prison for the holidays and her husband graciously shows off how their foster daughter has blossomed. Henry's three sons (Richard the Lionhearted, Prince John, and the other one) vie for parental attention while their guest (The King of France) seems to have the best time of all, getting caught up in all the hilarity.
One King's Family: 1183
posted on 24 Nov 2008It is very rare to find an actor who has played the same historical figure twice. Charleton Heston was Andrew Jackson in THE PRESIDENT'S LADY and THE BUCCANNEER (1958). Edward Arnold was Diamond Jim Brady in DIAMOND JIM and LILIAN RUSSELL. Reginald Owen was Louis XV in VOLTAIRE and MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. Raymond Massey was John Brown in SANTA FE TRAIL and SEVEN ANGRY MEN. But only Peter O'Toole played the same historical figure in two major productions that were made only four years apart, and that showed the character seriously aging.O'Toole had played King Henry II of England in BECKET (1964) as a young, vibrant monarch who makes the serious mistake of appointing his best friend to the one post that will make them enemies. The period that BECKET encompasses was roughly 1165 to 1171 (when Henry allowed himself to be whipped for the murder of Becket the year before - apparently at his orders). In THE LION IN WINTER (1968) he was King Henry some twelve years later. Henry is now the most powerful monarch in Western Europe, but he has problems of dynastic and political natures.His power structure in 1183 is dependent on his hold of the marriage dower of his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. In BECKET, Pamela Brown played Eleanor as a sharp tongued and jealous woman who arranged the murder of her rival Gwendolen (Sian Phillips), on the night Henry was going to have sex with her. Henry (who hates the sight of blood) has a nervous collapse upon seeing the results of Eleanor's activities. In THE LION IN WINTER Eleanor was played by Katherine Hepburn. Now older, she is still a match in terms of political abilities to her husband. He has let her out of her castle prison to visit him and their three surviving sons (Richard, Geoffrey, and John) as well as Princess Alais of France and her brother King Phiip Augustus of France.Henry's family get-together is not for holiday reasons (although it is occurring at Christmas). He has taken a dower from King Philip's father King Louis for Pincess Alais (Jane Merrow) to marry his oldest son Richard (Anthony Hopkins). But Alais has become the mistress of the monarch, who is considering divorcing Eleanor and starting a "proper" family with his second wife Alais. Richard and his two brothers (John Castle and Nigel Terry) are not happy with this prospect - nor with dynastic ambitions of each other. Of the three sons, Henry favors John (Terry) over Richard, although Richard is the better fighter. The reason is that Richard is the favorite of his mother, and has been implicated in some of her attempts to stir up civil war against Henry. Geoffrey (Castle) has brains but he is untrustworthy and finds that he is constantly dismissed by both parents. And King Philip (Timothy Dalton) is furious that due to the highhanded actions of Henry his father was reduced in power in Europe, and he is forced to report to a man who is technically his vassal due to the French lands that Henry controls.THE LION IN WINTER had been a Broadway success in the middle 1960s, starring Robert Preston as Henry. The film is a successful transition, with the elderly monarch and his elderly consort tearing at each other in a kind of medieval WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. O'Toole is wonderful as the still intelligent, vigorous, and bullying monarch he was in BECKET, except now he is facing his own mortality. Hepburn (who won her third Oscar for this film - one year after winning her second for GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER and tying this time with Barbara Streisand for FUNNY GIRL) is able to display a woman capable of any political damage be it encouraging her sons to revolt or threatening future harm to Alais and any child she and Henry may have to torturing Henry with the suggestion that she (Eleanor) slept with Henry's father before they met.Hopkins' hapless Richard is the most sympathetic of the three sons, with his humiliation when Philip maliciously reveals that Richard is a homosexual (the first time this trait was revealed in any film about Richard the Lion Hearted). Terry's John is properly "pimple faced" and immature on the surface, but showing when he betrays his father that two-faced ability that would lead to his disasters as King. Castle is properly sinister throughout - one realizes that both parents will not suggest him as heir because he'd kill them as soon as he could safely plan it out afterward. Dalton's Philip is galling to O'Toole, as he keeps showing that unlike his father he knows how to harm the British monarchy - by disgracing it's leading hero (Richard), and by simply waiting for time to take it's toll on his enemy Henry. And Merrow is the most sympathetic figure in the film, genuinely loving Henry but finding even he regards her as a dynastic pawn in the end. The movie was that rarity, a sequel as thoughtful and intelligent as the first film had been, and filling in the results of that first film's background and story very well indeed.
O'Toole and Hepburn--you can't go wrong
posted on 19 Nov 2008This is one of my all-time favorite films, and I can't say how disappointed I am that it is not available for purchase--I bet one can find any number of copies of Friday the 13th part 8 on video, but great classics get yanked. Anyhow, Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole are fabulous as the famously conflicted royal couple Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitane. A really young Anthony Hopkins also stars as the (future) Richard the Lion Hearted. the film doesn't suffer from that 1960s glamorization of the medieval era--the sets and costumes are authentic. Hepburn is perfect as the strong willed and infamous Eleanor of Aquitane--and O'Toole holds more than his own as the king who married then imprisoned her. Pray that they rerelease this film--there aren't many out there that can hold a candle to it!
A period pageant, only electified by Peter and Kate.
posted on 19 Nov 2008It has a fairly young Peter O'Toole stepping *up* in age (most actors have to step down in age to fit a role) to play a king of 50 most marvelously; and it has a 60-ish Katharine Hepburn in probably her greatest role and the role which best fits her affected and high-tone style of speak. And the story and script (swathed in family dysfunction) is courtesy of James Goldman- and is stunning indeed. Though the royal heads are married, they compete for everything, and are at constant verbal odds regarding the successor to the throne and the spoils that come with it. Henry has a favorite son; Eleanor has a different favorite son. Problem is, there are *three* sons, a mistress, an adoring public, and a visiting king of France- all crashing together during the warm, fuzzy, Christmas holiday. The film's medieval detail is marvelous (shooting was in Ireland, Wales, and France), but the witty, literate, scenes with O'Toole and Hepburn alone are worth the price of admission ("Give me a little peace." "Why be so modest? How about *eternal* peace- now there's a thought"). As a result, it paces more like stage theater than film- and the action (for those who need that for entertainment) is minimal. But Anthony Harvey directs marvelous, Oscar-nominated performances, and can be heard analyzing such on the DVD's special material.
O'toole and Hepburn are at their best
posted on 12 Nov 2008I LOVE THIS MOVIE. I think it is the greatest costume drama ever made. Hepburn and O'Toole are just AMAZING together, They Make a strong case for best paring of actress and actor ever. Hepburn won best actress and O'Toole was nominated and did not win...(3rd lose of 7 nominations). The movie has some other great actors like Anthony Hopkins, in one of his first movies. And Timothy Dalton(many people do not know that he is actually a classical actor) and was very well suited for the part. Also, Nigel terry plays a great role as The Kings love hoarding and rat like son. It's one of the only Period pieces on the Top 250 greatest movie list for this sight.The Dialog is stupendous in this movie, and the atmosphere(in a Corny and over used expression) is so thick you could cut it with a knife. If you love drama Then This movie is most definitely for you, and that counts double if your a Peter O' Toole or Kathrine Hepburn Fan.
Sheer Delight
posted on 10 Nov 2008The older I get the more I love this comedy-drama about the competition among the three sons of Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katherine Hepburn), over who will succeed Henry as King of England (and, at the time, much of France). Henry keeps Eleanor locked up in prison in England most of the year while he pursues romances with much younger women, but he brings her over to France for annual his Christmas court, and the sparring begins. Eleanor favors the competent but possibly homosexual eldest son Richard; Henry favors spoiled, bizarre John. Middle son Jeff is not even under consideration, to his great resentment. All three of the sons are happy to work with the conniving King Philip of France to betray their parents to get what they want. Line after line of witty, thoughtful dialogue woven into a dense exploration of power, politics, and family relationships in medieval Europe. It's almost impossible to imagine such an intelligent, tightly focused script being filmed any more, not by the studios, not by the independents. The castle is authentically primitive with mud, straw-strewn floors and mangy-looking dogs wandering everywhere. Hepburn and O'Toole's performances may seem hammy to some, but the obvious delight they take in each other is infectious. Although their marriage was motivated by politics (England wanted the vast European territory Eleanor stood to inherit), theirs was for many years a true love match. It's heartbreaking as they look back from their old age at the passion they once shared and confront the horrors their sons have become. At the end, after all their manipulations and maneuverings against each other to try to ensure that John or Richard will succeed Henry, it's clear that Henry and Eleanor still have great affection and respect for each other. Henry calls out to Eleanor as she sails back to her English jail, "I hope we live forever." You wish this remarkable, immensely entertaining couple would do just that.
Wholesome family entertainment
posted on 04 Aug 2009Just kidding. This is the ultimate depiction of a deeply and truely dysfunctional family. But, what a tale it is. This kind of film is timeless. I recently watched the Showtime Original version (Patrick Stewart & Glenn Close), and found it just as captivating. I favor this 1968 version better; nobody out does O'Toole and Hepburn. Peter O'Toole is seathingly into his role as Henry. Even better is Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor (a role I consider to be tailer-made for her). My favorite understatement in motion picture history is stated by her. "What family doesn't have its ups and downs." The scene in which this quote appears makes the statement totally true. It is such a pity that she had to share her third Academy Award victory with Miss Diva Streisand for FUNNY GIRL. The supporting cast are remarkably on mark. Especially, Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton, both making their film debut in THE LION IN WINTER. If you haven't seen this movie, please do. It is worth the time!!!