The Lion in Winter
What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
Drama, History
-
1968
Available on
Country
Christmas 1183, Angevin Empire: King Henry II plans to announce his successor to the throne. Jockeying for the crown, though, is complex. Henry has three sons and wants his boy Prince John to take over. Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor, believes their son Prince Richard should be king. As family and various schemers gather for the holiday, each tries to make the indecisive king choose their option.
Director:
Cast:
Similar
Details
Runtime:
134 min
Release date:
20 Aug 1968
Country:
GB
Languages:
English
Budget:
$4,000,000
Revenue:
$22,300,000
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. 16 wins & 18 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
James Goldman's screenplay, so chic and sophisticated to the ears of suburbanites, is chock-full of the worst kind of sophomoric fiddling with what Goldman takes to be genuine highfalutin lingo.
– Don Druker,
Chicago Reader,
14 Jul 2014
fresh:
An intense, fierce, personal drama put across by outstanding performances of Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
fresh:
Director Anthony Harvey opened up Goldman's play into authentic spaces far from any proscenium, and remained faithful to an energetic drama propelled by its performances and dialogue.
– Mark Bourne,
Film.com,
21 Dec 2007
fresh:
Harvey's direction is intelligent enough, though the reduction of power struggles to fits of personal pique -- where the fate of nations hangs in the balance -- becomes a little irritating. Enjoyable for its two lead performances, however.
– Rod McShane,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
fresh:
...outdoorsy and fun, full of the kind of plotting and action people used to go to just plain movies for.
– Renata Adler,
New York Times,
9 May 2005