The Lion in Winter
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Movie Reviews of The Lion in Winter
Movie Review: A Different Vision, But Still A Great One
Summary: 5 Stars
Any depiction of The Lion in Winter must inevitably be compared with the magnificent 1968 production starring Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn. This version starring Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close has some significant departures from the 1969 gold standard, but nevertheless manages to be a superb dramatization in its own right.
Its Christmas, 1183, and King Henry II of England has called his family together for a happy holiday season. The problem is, he has his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine in prison, and she and their three sons Richard, Geoffrey, and John, are all thirsting for power. The King is growing old (he was to die in 1187) and he wants his youngest son John to succeed him. Eleanor's favorite is their oldest son Richard, while the middle boy Geoffrey is biding his time and waiting for his chance. Adding to the complications is the presence of Princess Alais of France, who was supposed to marry Richard but who has become King Henry's mistress, and her brother King Philip of France, 18 years old but already a master of intrigue and deceit.
While this version lacks some of the fabulous chemistry and sparkle provided by O'Toole and Hepburn, it makes up for it by the deeper, more somber interaction of Stewart and Close. This version doesn't make me laugh as much as the 1968 version does, but it definitely has an even deeper sense of gravitas and irony. Both dramatizations are superb, and my advice is to buy both and watch them on successive nights.
Movie Review: Two and a half hours of pure delight and intrigue ...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was certainly a pleasant surprise that this fast paced (not in action to be sure) intellectual game of intrigue and give and take could keep my solid attention for the full movie. The viewers attention is required to keep track of the plot twists and turns as we see King Henry sparring with his wife Elanor and his three woebegotten sons in the hills of France. The greatest thing about this movie is that it depicts an interpretation of the life and times of King henry II, Richard and of course Prince John, an era that I have always felt were taken hostage by Shakespeare and Arthur and the knights of the round table......
Certainly a great depiction/interpretation of historical value that would, for me in any case, be too troublesome to read.
I do give the viewer fair warning without any intellectual snobbery intended. The story is complex and chacrter development is long but thorough .... The action is of course limited and most, if not all the movie takes place on the set of the castle..... Unless you enjoy this type of human chess game, oddds are that you'll walk out after the first half hour ...
Movie Review: Fantastic!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished watching this. This is so much better than the 1968 movie. Patrick and Glenn are much closer in age than the 1968 version. Even though Henry was younger, he wasn't that much younger than Eleanor as portrayed in the 1968 version. Both actors gave a 3D performance and their range and depth of character was incredible. Patrick is a dynamic performer and Glenn was certainly up to the challange. This performance is also complete. The 1968 version is a scaled down version of the play. Both characters were much more in line with history. My wife, a historian, is a direct descendant of Eleanor and Henry and this performance was indeed scrutinized. If you want a classic, get the 1968 version. If you want the real thing, get this one. You won't be disappointed in the powerful performances of ALL of the actors. It is a true emsemble of performers playing off of each other in an intense and rivoting way. This performance kept me on the edge of my chair continually.Movie Review: Roaring Lion
Summary: 5 Stars
I dunno what's wrong with the other reviewers, but perhaps they're stuck in some sort of time warp--seems they can't see the remake's merits because they're too entwined with the original.
I, for one, absolutely LOVED the Close/Stewart remake. I thought it well-acted, well-directed, and well-produced. Close's deadpan, "Of course he has a knife. We all have knives. It's 1183 and we're BARBARIANS!" was right on the money, while Stewart's Henry seemed to have genuine affection for Alais. I found John's whininess so surreal that I almost had the urge to slap my own younger brother! LOL
I give this one five stars, and I highly reccomend seeing it--without disdain for its departure from the original. After all, who'd want to see a clone, anyway?
Movie Review: I'm no "critic"
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm surely not a qualified critic but I watched the 1968 version last night then this Showtime version tonight. I like this newer version better. For me, even though Hepburn won an Oscar and O'Toole was nominated, the dialogue was "over-acted" in the 1968 production. In this version the dialogue flowed more freely and seemed more natural. Perhaps the costumes and scenery were not as authentic as the earlier version, but to me it was more visually pleasing. I purchased both versions and I'm sure I'll watch both again. I'll watch this version again---first.