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.
The Lion in Winter
What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
1968 · 2h 14m · PG
Drama, History
Directed by
Anthony Harvey
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The Lion in Winter
Overview
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 and cast
- Anthony Harvey Director
- Peter O'Toole as Henry II
- Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Anthony Hopkins as Richard
- John Castle as Geoffrey
- Nigel Terry as John
- Timothy Dalton as Philip II
- Jane Merrow as Alais
- Nigel Stock as William Marshall
- O.Z. Whitehead as Bishop of Durham
- Kenneth Ives as Queen Eleanor's Guard
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
An intense, fierce, personal drama put across by outstanding performances of Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn.
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.
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.
...outdoorsy and fun, full of the kind of plotting and action people used to go to just plain movies for.
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