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THE LION IN WINTER
1968
Director
Anthony Harvey
Starring
Peter O'Toole
Katharine Hepburn
Nigel Terry
Anthony Hopkins
Timothy Dalton
Jane Merrow
Runtime
134 minutes
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At Christmas court in 1183, King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) argues with his estranged wife, Eleanor (Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn) over whether Prince John (Nigel Terry) or Richard the Lionheart (Anthony Hopkins in his film debut) shall inherit the throne. Complicating matters is King Philip II of France (Timothy Dalton, also his debut) who seeks his own fortune by demanding his half-sister Alais (Jane Merrow), currently Henry’s mistress, be betrothed to Richard. THE LION IN WINTER is the most royal of the cycle of ’60s films dealing with the history and palace intrigues of medieval England.
For connoisseurs of ferocious acting, there are few bigger feasts. Here’s Peter O’Toole, in his prime, playing Henry II for the second time and proving no actor of the 1960s could swagger better. Foiling him at every turn is Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine. Together they brawl through the castle to the strains of John Barry’s impressively lugubrious score, fighting over what all families fight about, sooner or later: inheritance, both tangible and not. This is just what holiday get-togethers are like when families have the power to imprison, banish, or behead one another. After all, nothing says Christmas like a power struggle.
For connoisseurs of ferocious acting, there are few bigger feasts. Here’s Peter O’Toole, in his prime, playing Henry II for the second time and proving no actor of the 1960s could swagger better. Foiling him at every turn is Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine. Together they brawl through the castle to the strains of John Barry’s impressively lugubrious score, fighting over what all families fight about, sooner or later: inheritance, both tangible and not. This is just what holiday get-togethers are like when families have the power to imprison, banish, or behead one another. After all, nothing says Christmas like a power struggle.