The Lion in Winter
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Movie Reviews of The Lion in Winter
Movie Review: The power has not neither scruples nor ethic codes!
Summary: 5 Stars
This remarkable retelling of acerbic wits from James Goldman's play has as central focus the dazzling performance of Mrs. Katherine Hepburn who (to my mind made her most towering masterwork along her well known artistic trajectory) as Leonor of Acquitaine who matches with her lovely hated husband Henry II (Peter O' Toole). This tormented relationship of struggling power deals with the well known conflict of interests respect the next successor of the Royal crown. The King has his eyes focused in John (Nigel Terry) a very singled-mind and easily handled, while Leonor has her hopes centered on Richard (Anthony Hopkins in his debut) , but the the third son Geoffrey also aspires and so, after the previous agreement established by Henry II and the King of France Philip the state of things will reach its boiling point.
We will presence this dark plot of personal ambitions, unstoppable thirst of power, overpowering greediness, betrayal and double crosses. Father versus son, brother versus brother, mother versus sons; a true scorpions ` nest which reminds a twist of fate respect the monumental Shakespeare's "King Lear".
The semiotic language is another remarkable aspect to cite. Watch for instance two clever sequences, the first one when John is relegated by his father in the middle of a rough discussion, and falls close to a cage of pigs, giving a regrettable speech. The other deals when the King in the middle of the night irrupts through the subterranean levels of his castle where the dogs bark just when the Real guards make their appearance.
The formidable cinematographic rhythm (although its undeniable theatrical nature), the fabulous illumination, the splendid script, accurate direction, the acidic speeches and this priceless cast make of this film a true classic and one of the most notable artistic achievements ever made.
A film that should not be absent from your invaluable collection.
Movie Review: Sheer Delight
Summary: 5 Stars
The older I get the more I love this comedy-drama about the competition among the three sons of Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katherine Hepburn), over who will succeed Henry as King of England (and, at the time, much of France). Henry keeps Eleanor locked up in prison in England most of the year while he pursues romances with much younger women, but he brings her over to France for annual his Christmas court, and the sparring begins. Eleanor favors the competent but possibly homosexual eldest son Richard; Henry favors spoiled, bizarre John. Middle son Jeff is not even under consideration, to his great resentment. All three of the sons are happy to work with the conniving King Philip of France to betray their parents to get what they want. Line after line of witty, thoughtful dialogue woven into a dense exploration of power, politics, and family relationships in medieval Europe. It's almost impossible to imagine such an intelligent, tightly focused script being filmed any more, not by the studios, not by the independents. The castle is authentically primitive with mud, straw-strewn floors and mangy-looking dogs wandering everywhere. Hepburn and O'Toole's performances may seem hammy to some, but the obvious delight they take in each other is infectious. Although their marriage was motivated by politics (England wanted the vast European territory Eleanor stood to inherit), theirs was for many years a true love match. It's heartbreaking as they look back from their old age at the passion they once shared and confront the horrors their sons have become. At the end, after all their manipulations and maneuverings against each other to try to ensure that John or Richard will succeed Henry, it's clear that Henry and Eleanor still have great affection and respect for each other. Henry calls out to Eleanor as she sails back to her English jail, "I hope we live forever." You wish this remarkable, immensely entertaining couple would do just that.Movie Review: My favourite movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Ah!! I adore this movie!! The acting is wonderful (Katherine Hepburn won a much deserved Oscar), the scenery is gorgeous (it was filmed on location) and the script is hilarious.
The year is 1183 and King Henry II of England(Peter O'Toole) is worried about which one of his three sons will inherit his throne when he dies.
We have Prince Richard the Lion-heart(Anthony Hopkins) who has been in battle since he was sixteen years of age.
The middle child, Geoffrey (John Castle) who is a very sadistic and cruel man. By the way, where is Geoff's wife in this movie? According to the history books he was already married.
Then there is the bumbling, smelly, sixteen-year-old idiot, Prince John who is played by Nigel Terry.
Henry and his mistress Alis (a woman who is young enough to be Henry's daughter), have both decided to throw a Christmas court and let Henry's wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katherine Hepburn) out of prison so they can both fight over the children. Henry had his wife thrown in prison years ago because her and the boys fought against Henry in battle.
Henry also invites the King of France (Timothy Dalton) to court so he can discuss further matters. For the record Philip is Alis' brother. Also, Eleanor's first husband was Philip and Alis father.
Throughout the movie we learn a dark secret involving Philip and Richard. Philip throws this in Henry's face as sort of a revenge because Philip always believed that Henry was responsible for his father's death.
Anyway, I'm not going to go into further detail. This is a great movie, kinda wish it happened in real life. For the record, this is Timothy Dalton, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle and Nigel Terry's first movie.
I highly recommend everyone watch this movie. I know it comes on TCM quite a lot. Go watch it!!
10 stars
~~Kat
Movie Review: No frills - just great actors chewing scenery.
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the problems endemic to movies adapted from stage plays is the annoying boxing in of the action - everything must take place in the same two or three locales. Anthony Harvey, director of THE LION IN WINTER, manages to overcome this handicap by bringing the historical setting to a rich, credible life. As you watch, you find yourself leaning forward in fascination, muttering, "So *that's* what it was like."Still, though, a movie like this lives or dies based on the writing and the performances, and both aspects are nearly flawless. The script has a certain '60's stridency in parts, but God knows it's infinitely better than most plays from that era. The characters trade barbed ripostes like seasoned pros - even Anthony Hopkins' hulking Richard III is a wit - but the movie is better as catharsis than light entertainment. The story is a sad one, not grim, but flavored with the wistful remorse of the king and his queen, who have ended up making far less out of their lives than they could have and are acutely aware of the fact.
The performances are great across the board - everyone knows who Hepburn, O'Toole, Hopkins, and Dalton are, but the lesser-known John Castle and Jane Merrow ace theirs perfectly well (both of them also turned in good performances in episodes of THE PRISONER, as did this film's briefly-seen Kenneth Griffith). I got my friends to watch this by telling them it was THE BIG KAHUNA in the Middle Ages; it's not, of course, but the principal joy of each film is the same: the pleasure of watching a pack of wonderful actors tearing into each other with maximum gusto.
In short, this movie is a definite to-own. The DVD's extra features are practically nonexistent, but there is an interesting and illuminating commentary by the director. Even if there weren't, though, the superior presentation would still warrant a purchase.
Movie Review: Hepburn & O'Toole are Regal Treachery
Summary: 5 Stars
King Henry II (Peter O'Toole), his wife Eleanor (Kate Hepburn) and their three sons Richard (the Lionhearted) (Anthony Hopkins in his film debut), John (Nigel Terry) and Geoffrey (John Castle) all get together for Christmas and treachery.
Henry and Eleanor have been battling for years - she's tried to overthrow him more than once. She is imprisoned in a castle and brought out for state occasions and holidays.
It's Christmastime and Henry is allowing Eleanor out for the festivities. Of course, also attending is his current paramour, Alais. But the problem really is her brother Philip, King of France is also attending and he wants Henry to marry his sister to one of his sons.
The son who marries Alais will be the next King of England. A marriage to Richard, Eleanor's favorite son, would make him too powerful. Therefore, he favors the weaker son, John. Therefore, all three sons are vying for her.
This creates a lot of backstabbing and treachery including from Philip. The only pawn seems to be Alais.
The writing is delightfully wicked. Hepburn and O'Toole just eat it up and both give their best performances. This is a master class in acting, screenwriting and directing. This film will keep you on the edge of you seat waiting for the next turn.
My favorite line is when Henry storms out of Eleanor's quarters saying he is going kill all their sons. Eleanor throws herself at Henry and just misses grabbing him and say "Well every family has their ups and downs."
Also, Hepburn won her third Academy Award in a historic tie with Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl) and James Goldman won for Screenplay. Anthony Harvey became the first director to win the Directors' Guild Award but not the Oscar.
DVD EXTRAS: Commentary by Anthony Harvey