The Lion in Winter
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Movie Reviews of The Lion in Winter
Movie Review: King Lear Retold
Summary: 5 Stars
It is Christmastime in medieval England. King Henry II of England (Peter O'Toole) summons his family. What appears to be an innocuous holiday is anything but that. For the House of Henry II Plantagenet is a dysfunctional and quarrelsome one, and the ageing monarch wishes to appoint a suitable heir to the throne amidst this background.
Queen Eleanor of Aquataine (Katharine Hepburn), whom Henry has imprisoned for many years, connives to install her favourite son, Prince Richard the Lionheart (Anthony Hopkins). Henry would be amenable to this except that Richard had a homosexual relationship with King Philip of France (Timothy Dalton), and consequently he favours Prince John (Nigel Terry), his teenage, albeit half-witted son. Prince Geoffrey (John Castle), the aloof and least loved heir, plays a cat-and-mouse game with his parents and brothers simply for the pleasure of tormenting them. It is a tempestuous situation to say the least, yet therein lies the beauty of "Lion in Winter".
To witness the exchange of dialogue and brinkmanship between O'Toole and Hepburn is hypnotic, as are the performances of a young Anthony Hopkins and Nigel Terry. You can't help but be consumed and drawn into this royal family's emotional roller-coaster and feel sympathetic for their plight. Timothy Dalton (aka James Bond), in a rather lacklustre performance, makes his film debut in this film. But it is Hepburn and O'Toole who hold this film together.
The script, costumes, scenery and photography are excellent. Although, I am inclined to agree with the director, Anthony Harvey, the film's weakness lies in the occasional zoom shot. But then, I don't suppose many viewers would notice it unless it was called to their attention.
Anthony Harvey's scene by scene account, which may be heard while the movie plays, is an insightful footnote into his editing, directing style and rapport with his actors. He sheds light on how he created the mood for merry olde England; how he let the camera roll allowing the actors to perform at length uninterrupted; and how the actors prepared for their roles and worked as a family.
Suffice it to say, "Lion in Winter" is King Henry II's winter of discontent. It is one man's tragic realisation in the winter of his life that he can only survive so long as he is politically and physically strong. There can never be -- and history shows there never was -- any compromise for Henry II. It is this honest and realistic depiction of his life and family that makes the story for "Lion in Winter" so compelling, so fantastic.
Movie Review: What a Lioness!
Summary: 5 Stars
Katherine Hepburn's fans have their own favorite film of hers. This is mine. It is sheer pleasure to observe not only her overall performance (for which she received one of her four Academy Awards for best actress) but also her interaction with O'Toole who obviously adores her. (Who wouldn't?) Those who have read Amy Kelly's magnificent biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine already know how much she and Hepburn share in common, notably their exceptional intelligence and determination. As Anthony Harvey directs her and as Eleanor is portrayed by James Goldman in his Academy Award-winning screenplay, Hepburn more than holds her own with estranged husband King Henry II (O'Toole) despite his almost total control of her exile from his court. What must she do to end her castle-arrest and thereby gain her freedom? Henry wants a divorce so he can marry his mistress, Princess Alais (Jane Merrow), and also regain the Aquitaine to which Eleanor has legal rights. Eleanor has no intention of allowing either when Henry permits her a brief respite to join him and their sons for Christmas. They have three: Philip (Timothy Dalton) King of Spain, Prince Richard (Anthony Hopkins), and Prince John (Nigel Terry). What we have here is a 12th century soap opera...but a royal detergent of the very highest possible quality.
Not much happens. That is, there is very little physical action in this film but the mind games, duels of wit, conspiracies, temporary alliances, betrayals of confidence, accusations and threats, innuendoes, bluffs, sarcasm, flattery, posturing, etc. are non-stop. The script has a turbocharged literacy. Also, the film is visually stunning, especially given the fact that interior decorators in 1183 A.D. had to work within rather severe limitations. John Barry received an Academy Award (for the music score) and The Lion in Winter was also nominated for best film but lost out to (believe it or not) Oliver! What I most enjoy is the dialogue between Henry and Eleanor. The film sags a bit when they are not together on screen. The supporting cast is few in number but generally effective. However, Hepburn and O'Toole totally dominate the scenes in which they appear and their personalities dominate the scenes in which they are elsewhere.
Although I greatly appreciate the clearer image and sound of the DVD format, I am underwhelmed by the quality and number of supplementary materials which are unworthy of this great film. Presumably something will soon be done about that.
Movie Review: Indescribable... The Best of Films. (and I'm fifteen!)
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so thrilled to see that A Lion in Winter received top viewer remarks. If any movie deserves unfaltering adoration, this one does! I've seen it so many times I can practically recite the dialogue, but it is still riveting. If I can influence just one person to see this movie, I'll be happy.
For history addicts like myself, this movie is satisfying beyond words. Every brief mention, every conversation, and every dredged up life story is totally dead-on. Regardless of your feelings toward period-films, A Lion in Winter is worth every second you devote to its viewing. (This movie is NOT a dried-up classic. It's as alive as any modern-day melodrama- more so.)
Katharine Hepburn IS Eleanor of Aquitaine. And Peter O'Toole is absolutely amazing as Henry II. I loved the depiction of all three sons, although I was less than fond of Alais. (The character, not the actress.) Geoffrey, in particular, stood out- I can't imagine why the actor appeared in so few productions. And of course, Phillip of France was a great addition to the plot. Timothy Dalton is perfect for any number of historical roles (such as Llewelyn Fawr).
Finally, the most amazing element of the movie is the dialogue. These characters actually come to life, in more ways than you'd think possible. This is history's most dysfunctional family, after all.
And if you're looking for a brief explanatory note, here goes: Henry II, King of England, celebrates Christmas in Normandy with his wife and sons, while battling out the succession with all three of them- plot twists ensue. The year is 1183, and Queen Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine and former Queen of France has been temporarily released from her castle-prison. This impetuous, intelligent, and plainly notorious Queen was first imprisoned ten years earlier... why? For plotting rebellion while aiding and abetting her treacherous young sons. Henry also has to deal with a seventeen-year-old king of France- the surprisingly adept and politically savvy Phillip I. And while all three sons clamor for the throne, Henry practices his gifts for stalling and posturing, promising the world to youngest son John while refusing to give up so much as an acre of his empire. Eleanor throws herself whole-heartedly into the race, willing to do anything to see her favorite son Richard crowned.
Anything, that is, except endanger the husband she loathes but still loves.
Movie Review: Back story
Summary: 5 Stars
A lot of people mention that this film seems hard to understand. Let's remedy that:
Eleanor of Aquitane, originally married to a French King (with two daughters) tired of him after an unsuccessful Crusade which they both led. She was able to have their marriage annulled thru the claim of consanguinity ... the discovery that they were too close as blood relatives for a legal marriage.
Six weeks later she married Henry of England, who was a marginally closer blood relative than her first husband.
Eleanor, thru various coincidences, had as a female come to the leadership position of Aquitane, the most wealthy region of France, and as a result she nominally controlled about a third of what is modern France.
Two years after she married Henry, he ascended to the Throne of England as Henry II. I believe that Eleanor figured she would not have long to wait to be queen.
She bore Henry II eight children, including five sons.
The eldest, another Henry, eventually embarked on a revolt against his father. Eleanor supported his revolt, which never really got close to succeeding. Henry the son eventually contracted dysentery in a war camp and died. For the crime of supporting the revolt, Henry II kept Eleanor locked away where she could do no political harm for 16 years.
You'll hear reference to just about all of the above during the course of this delightful stage play adapted to the screen. Tho probably too 'dull' for younger ears nowadays, this script is intelligent, witty, and encapsulates the resulting politics over the future of the throne into an entertaining nutshell.
Not only does it include an Oscar winning performance by Kate Hepburn, but Peter O'Toole vigorously gives us a good look at Henry II, who WAS vigorous. He expired at about the age of 56 as a result of injuries sustained during a jousting match! Early looks at Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton are quite interesting. Although Hopkins is instantly recognizable, the young and slim Dalton takes a bit to discover if you didn't already know he was in the film. His voice is quite recognizable, but he has yet to grow into the man who will play James Bond.
So you action and sex junkies can look elsewhere ... this film is not for you. Those who appreciate fine writing and acting for their own sakes will enjoy a two hour feast. :-)
Movie Review: Power, politics, passion and conflict! A work of pure art!
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1968 film is packed with intense drama, conflict, intrigue and passion. It was formerly a play by James Goodman, who adapted it to the screen, with every bit of its ruthless intrigue in the court of King Henry II in 1183 intact, enhanced by some excellent cinematography depicting what life must have been like in a world where the King was all powerful. Anthony Harvey did a masterful job of directing, and I was captivated by the way he brought this intense rendering of the power, politics and conflicting wills to the screen.Peter O'Toole stars as the 50-year old Henry, who is in the process of selecting one of his three sons to inherit his throne. Will it be John, his young favorite, played by Negel Terry, only sixteen years old and not very bright? Or will it be Richard, played by a youthful Anthony Hopkins, the oldest and most despised because his mother favors him? Or will it be Geoffrey, played by John Castle, the schemer. This is not a simple decision, of course. Everybody hates each other with venom rarely depicted on screen or in life. And perhaps the most venomous of all is Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, a role that won Katherine Hepburn, then 60, an Academy Award. There is such animosity between her and the King that she has been imprisoned in a tower for the past ten years and is only allowed out for Christmas and state occasions.
It's Christmas now and the family is gathered in one of the King's many castles. Henry flaunts his young mistress, played by Jane Morrow, who is the sister of the King of France, played by Timothy Dalton. Everybody loathes each other and the intrigue is ruthless and constant. This is all shown though dialogue - dialogue so well written that I found myself cringing at the cruel insults and betrayals. All we see is hatred and more hatred. And yet, in one of her greatest roles, Katherine Hepburn's role shines. Underneath it all, there is love. I can't possibly imagine any other actress in the role.
As the film unfolded I felt I was in the presence of genius. It's a work of pure art. Every line has meaning. Every gesture, every glance and every action went well below the surface of the words. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, not only because of the great performances, but also because of the many twists and turns of the plot. Clearly, this is one of the most perfect films I have ever seen. I give it my highest recommendation. Not to be missed.