Other Titles • The Lion in Winter • Der Löwe im Winter (1970)
Synopses for The Lion in Winter (1968)
1.
In this 12th-century version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Henry II of England (Peter O'Toole) and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn), meet on Christmas Eve to discuss the future of the throne. These two are having slight marital problems, as she is kept in captivity most of the year for raising a rebellion against him, and he flaunts his young mistress. Then there are the problems raised by their three treacherous and traitorous sons.
James Goldman won an Oscar® for the brilliant screenplay, based on his Broadway play. It is a tad wordy, as the action is kept to a minimum, but those words are sharp as daggers. The humor is wicked and black and delivered with very dry, dead-on precision. Sparks fly and the screen sizzles whenever Hepburn and O'Toole tango, which is often. Both were nominated for Academy Awards® for their vigorous performances. (She won; he didn't.) There's also an infamous homo-erotic exchange between Philip of France (Timothy Dalton) and Richard the Lionhearted (Anthony Hopkins). Both actors were making their feature-film debuts. --Rochelle O'Gorman
(15 votes)
2.
Set over Christmas of 1183, this classic royal costume dramas concerns Henry II's effort to choose a worthy successor. Powerful Henry II (Peter O'Toole) favors his youngest son John (Nigel Terry), while his strong-willed wife Eleanor (Katherine Hepburn) feels the honor should be bestowed upon eldest son Richard the Lionhearted (Anthony Hopkins, in his screen debut). This disagreement leads the family to a war of wills that will stress every bond of love, trust, and honor. This acclaimed adaptation of James Goldman's play was also the first film for Timothy Dalton. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Peter O'Toole. Academy Awards: 3, including Best (Adapted) Screenplay, Best Actress--Katharine Hepburn (shared with Barbra Streisand - "Funny Girl").
(15 votes)
3.
"One Of The Year's Best Films." -The Hollywood Reporter
Katharine Hepburn delivers an "amazing" (Variety), Oscar®-winning performance "that must be seen to be believed" (Boxoffice) in this "dazzling" (Los Angeles Times) all-star film that is not to be missed.
Behind the great stone walls of an English castle, the world's most powerful empire is in crisis. Three sons struggle to win their father's favor - as well as his crown. King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his queen, Eleanor (Hepburn), engage in a battle of royal wits that pits elder son Richard (Anthony Hopkins) against his brothers, while the cunning King Philip of France (Timothy Dalton) takes advantage of the internal fracturing in his bid to destroy their kingdom.
(15 votes)
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