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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 2051
Released: June 19, 2001 |
| Our Price: $4.00 |
| Used Price: $4.90 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Katharine Hepburn delivers an amazing (Variety), OscarÂ(r)-winning* performance 'that must be seen to be believed (Boxoffice) in this dazzling (Los Angeles Times) all-star film that is not to be missed. Behind the great stone walls of an English castle, the world's most powerful empire is in crisis. Three sons struggle to win their father's favoras well as his crown. King Henry II (Peter O'toole) and his queen, Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn), engage ina battle of royal wits that pits elder son Richard (Anthony Hopkins) against his brothers, while the cunning King Philip of France (Timothy Dalton) takes advantage of the internal fracturing in his bid to destroy their kingdom. *1968: Actress
Description of The Lion in Winter:
In this 12th-century version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Henry II of England (Peter O'Toole) and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn), meet on Christmas Eve to discuss the future of the throne. These two are having slight marital problems, as she is kept in captivity most of the year for raising a rebellion against him, and he flaunts his young mistress. Then there are the problems raised by their three treacherous and traitorous sons.
James Goldman won an Oscar® for the brilliant screenplay, based on his Broadway play. It is a tad wordy, as the action is kept to a minimum, but those words are sharp as daggers. The humor is wicked and black and delivered with very dry, dead-on precision. Sparks fly and the screen sizzles whenever Hepburn and O'Toole tango, which is often. Both were nominated for Academy Awards® for their vigorous performances. (She won; he didn't.) There's also an infamous homo-erotic exchange between Philip of France (Timothy Dalton) and Richard the Lionhearted (Anthony Hopkins). Both actors were making their feature-film debuts. --Rochelle O'Gorman
The Lion in Winter Reviews:
Henry II and his relations 
2009-10-26 - Movies like this always make me think "wouldn't it just have been easier to have elections?"
With that being said, the Lion in Winter revolves around Henry II working out the succession to the crown with his surviving three sons, the King of France and Henry's wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. John (the Prince John of the Robin Hood stories) is a slob and not that bright, Geoffrey feels unappreciated and Richard (later known as Richard the Lionhearted) has problems all his own. King Louis of France feels as if he has been slighted and Eleanor has plots and schemes of her own. All of it serves for some interesting drama.
Katherine Hepburn's performance is excellent and Peter O'Toole's portrayal of Henry II is just as good here as it was in Beckett, one of my favorite films. This is a first-class movie and one I strongly recommend.
a classic
2009-05-28 - I saw this movie on TV and was spell bond, it was like I was attending a play. Had to buy the movie, so when I want to see real acting I can
The Lion in Winter
2009-05-26 - Based on the life of Henry II, the acting was classic. I am not really sure how 'true-to-life' this drama is. The family dynamics and plotting of one against the other keeps one wondering what will happen next. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Historical fiction, Katherine Hepburn and/or Peter O'Toole. Truly, a classic of Epic proportion.
Old married King and Queen in a love-hate relationship
2009-05-07 - The middle ages is not kind to divine right (robber baron) kings
who live by their wits and strength of arms.
Were there ever any royal "good sons" in England?
In this movie three kings of England appear: Henry II, Richard the Lionhearted and Prince John. We are told that Richard is gay
and that John is a buffoon, while the middle brother on who history is remarkably silent is a conspirator.
The classic interchange between Henry and Eleanor is probably what made this a great movie,
but the stagging, costumes and casting are just very, very good with
several great actors in the supporting role.
The dialog just tears holes in reality that seem beyond repair?
The power has not neither scruples nor ethic codes! 
2009-04-07 - 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.
