Rating: 
Summary: "Fragile I am not; affection is a pressure I can bear."
Review: Without a doubt, if you are a lover of history and intrigue, then this video will be worth its weight in gold to you. Kate Hepburn and Peter O'Toole both should have won Oscars hands down (unfortunately, Cliff Robertson beat O'Toole, and Hepburn had to share her Oscar with Babs in Funny Girl). Hepburn is the definitive Eleanor of Aquitaine - a handsome, regal queen who is as devious, witty, and intelligent as her perfectly matched husband, Henry II, king of England, played to the absolute hilt by Peter O'Toole (his mannerisms and voice in this film recall Brian Blessed, pitching his voice to the balcony and gesturing broadly). Just to hear the Great Kate speak this dialogue is a treat for fans of the play ("Henry, I have a confession to make . . I don't much like our children."); and fans of British actors will enjoy seeing Anthony Hopkins as Richard and Timothy Dalton as Philip, king of France. I, for one, instantly developed a crush on the young actress who plays Alais, Jane Merrow (one wonders why she didn't make more films). Some may also recognize John Castle as Geoffrey; he also appeared almost 10 years later as Postumous in the BBC production of "I, Claudius". A story that, much like a soap opera, will keep you riveted until the very end (even if you know your history and you already know what's going to happen); I for one got a kick out of hearing certain characters seemingly pour their hearts out, only to see them five minutes later come clean and say it was merely an act. The dialogue is witty and yet extremely literate - the only drawback for me, personally, is that supposedly this film is the favorite of Sylvester Stallone (groan) - that in and of itself makes me ashamed to say that I find it a flawless, entertaining, imaginative look at the court of Henry II.
Rating:
Summary: A classic historical drama of the ages
Review: I am a History Major specializing in the Medieval Period of Europe (500-1450AD)and was recommended this classic film to see by a History Professor. WOW! I was supremely impressed by not only the outstanding acting by the immortal Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'toole but also the accuracy of the drama portrayed. The political infighting between Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England is brilliantly presented as well as the supporting cast of Richard The Lionheart (Sir Anthony Hopkins) and King Phillipe of France (Timothy Dalton). The range of emotion is shown from humor, which is biting, to dispair shown superbly by both O'Toole and Hepburn. From the first scene to the last, this movie will keep the viewer rivoted. I can't recommend this film highly enough. The musical score by John Barry is fantastic as well. The Lion In Winter is well worth 5 stars and more.
Rating:
Summary: Forget the Lion, How 'Bout that Lioness!!
Review: I think that most people who have seen this movie agree that it's fantastic. Witty, wicked, wordy and visually beautiful "The Lion In Winter" took my breath away. There is one thing that many people might disagree with me about. I don't think that Henry (O'Toole) and Eleanor (Hepburn) are evenly matched. I think that Queen Eleanor aways had the upper hand and her loving husband responded by exiling her. I think that Queen Eleanor was smarter than her husband, he knew it & resented it. There was a great passionate love between these two that flamed out (at least on the male side).
In her youth, Eleanor of Aquitaine was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was educated at the most sophisticated court in the world, also she was loaded. When she married Henry, he was just a Duke, and she had been Queen of France, a bit of a letdown to say the least.
I can't help but think that Henry always resented his wife's wealth & superior station, but she loved him anyway.
Two of the saddest scenes in this movie involve Eleanor. One is while putting on a brave face, she demands that Henry kiss young Alice in front of her. Henry, never missing an opportuinity to hurt the Missus, gleefully obliges. Eleanor almost crumbles before your eyes, its a very moving & powerful scene. The other is when Eleanor is alone in her room & she picks up her looking glass and sees an old woman looking back; her silence speaks a thousand words.
O'Toole makes a wonderful Henry, selfish, cruel and ever inward turning without posessing the least amount of insight or self awareness.
This is a fabulous movie, and should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Glorious and Collossal Portrait! Indelible!
Review: From the haunting opening chants to the unforgettable final shots, this is one of the few films in the history of Hollywood that has kept me glued to the screen for the entire 134 minutes of running time. The story is what drew me in: a dysfunctional family that just happens to be royal. But it was the star power that was the real star... As King Henry VII, Peter O'Toole has never been better. His pompous, cackling portrayal of the 12th century monarch was perhaps the best of his career. Katharine Hepburn is even better as the sheltered and ignored Eleanor of Aquitane, who was forced to SHARE the 1968 Best Actress Academy Award with Barbra Streisand(Funny Girl). Why??? A young Anthony Hopkins(as Prince Richard) and Timothy Dalton(as the King of Spain) are also quite good, and the two share the most interesting(to say the least) scene in the film. John Barry cranks out the best and most electrifying musical score of his career, and Anothony Harvey's detailed direction is perfect. The script is as quick, clever, and witty as the play it was based on(and won a much deserved Academy Award). Who could ask for more? Why this film was cheated out of the Best Picture Oscar(see my review of "Oliver!", the winner that year) is beyond me. One of my Top 50 Films of All Time(website address to be published on other reviews when the page is completed).
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Summary: The Lion Roars
Review: In the film that awarded Katharine Hepburn with her third Oscar, The Lion in Winter is a brilliantly scripted motion picture by James Goldman from his own play. As the AFI's most respected actress of her generation, Ms. Hepburn plays the role of Eleanor of Aquitaine with fiery determination and is one of the most astonishing performances you'll ever witness - past, present, or future. It's Christmas 1183 and King Henry II, portrayed magnificently by Peter O'Toole, must decide who will succeed him as heir to the throne of England. Always engaging and epic in scope, in two plus hours watch as a family in love and at war with each other completely unravels itself. Change the time, place, settings, and costumes and this film would be as topical today as it was back in 1183. This is an absolute must-see film for anyone who loves a well-crafted, articulate story and performances that soar into the outer stratosphere. The film also features Sir Anthony Hopkins as Henry's eldest son, Richard the Lionhearted and Timothy Dalton as King Philip of France. One of the other highlights of the film is the award-winning period musical score created by John Barry.
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Summary: Impeccably written and acted, this is a movie for the ages
Review: Yes, this movie is a period piece. But this movie, adapted from a wonderful play,is at the end of the day a powerful tale of an acutely dysfunctional family. Set during the Christmas season in 12th century England, this story is powerfully scripted and superbly acted by everyone. Peter O'Toole gives his tour de force performance as Henry II, a world-weary monarch intent on maintaining supremacy and establishing his legacy. Katherine Hepburn, in what is the among the finest movie performances I have ever seen, plays his deadly foil (and oh yes, estranged wife) Queen Eleanor of Acquitaine, who is determined to thwart his plans. The issue: which of their surviving children will inherit the throne of England, and marry Alais, the sister of the King of France? The pawns in this game are Alais and the English Princes, Richard the Lionhearted (Anthony Hopkins), John (Nigel Terry of Excalibur fame), and Geoffrey. Then of course, there is the wild card, the teenage French monarch, Philip (Timothy Dalton). In this movie you have all of the themes of familial dysfunction: the vitriol and wistfulness of an estranged couple, the frustrations of the "model" eldest child, the resentment of the neglected middle child, the eccentricities of the overindulged youngest child, a May-December affair triggered by a mid-life crisis, holiday depression, and it goes on and on. This movie is so adept at exploring these topics that it makes "American Beauty" (a good film in its own right) seem almost sophomoric. What makes this movie stand out is the writing. There is no other movie this side of "The Godfather" that has contained such enjoyable dialogue and character development. The dialogue in this movie is outstanding ("It's not the power I feel deprived of, it's the mention that I miss"; "Give me a little peace/A little? Why so modest? How about eternal peace? Now there's a thought.") I doubt there will ever be another movie that will be so skillful in weaving together historical material, political intrigue, and slice-of-life issues into so seamlessly. This is one of my 10 favorite movies. Please rent it, and if you can find it, buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A Domestic Drama of Epic Proportions
Review: It has been many years since I first viewed this film. I was a teenager, an English lit major and dazzled by the verbal pyrotechnics. I still keenly recall Eleanor's evocative and erotic lines about first meeting Henry; "He had a mind like Aristotle and a form like mortal sin...we shattered the commandments upon the spot!" Whew! Eleanor, both historically and fictionally was either the last of the grand pagan matriarchs, or the first truly modern woman. The screenwriter understood she was the equal of her husband, King Henry, and their remarkable marriage/alliance was a decades long tug of war for supremacy. It is the sunset of their lives we find them in this film. They treat their own adult children as pawns in their ceaseless struggle for power. Henry flaunts his young mistress, while Eleanor wields her wealth, erotic past, and influence over her eldest son. The movie is seamless; and immensely refreshing in that a piece about Henry II doesn't focus on Beckett. He's mentioned, of course, but only as a sidebar. Hepburn if memory serves was actually older than O'Toole but that mere physical fact only serves to reinforce the illusion of a clash between titans. After all, Eleanor too was older than Henry. Of the supporting cast I can think of no weak links. Anthony Hopkins as the sexually confused Richard the Lionheart adequately presages the remarkable career to follow. Again, I highly recommend this film. I've often mused that if Oscar Wilde had ventured to write a historical drama the results may have been similar to The Lion In Winter. I can offer no higher praise.
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Summary: The Most Evil Movie Ever Made
Review: If you like movies in which horrible people do horrible things to each other--movies that are deliciously evil--then you'll love this one. The wedding chapel scene is unforgettable, as Eleanor masochistically asks her husband to kiss his mistress in front of her, and then looks on in horror as they perform a mock marriage ceremony. Another great scene is when Eleanor tells Henry that she slept with his father, and then he flies out of the room vomiting. Eleanor concludes the scene by saying: "What family doesn't have its ups and downs". The Lion in Winter is the perfect title for this film, since both Henry and Eleanor are jungle creatures of the most evil and vicious kind.
Rating:
Summary: Forget the Lion, How 'Bout that Lioness!!
Review: I think that most people who have seen this movie agree that it's fantastic. Witty, wicked, wordy and visually beautiful "The Lion In Winter" took my breath away. There is one thing that many people might disagree with me about. I don't think that Henry (O'Toole) and Eleanor (Hepburn) are evenly matched. I think that Queen Eleanor aways had the upper hand and her loving husband responded by exiling her. I think that Queen Eleanor was smarter than her husband, he knew it & resented it. There was a great passionate love between these two that flamed out (at least on the male side).
In her youth, Eleanor of Aquitaine was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was educated at the most sophisticated court in the world, also she was loaded. When she married Henry, he was just a Duke, and she had been Queen of France, a bit of a letdown to say the least.
I can't help but think that Henry always resented his wife's wealth & superior station, but she loved him anyway.
Two of the saddest scenes in this movie involve Eleanor. One is while putting on a brave face, she demands that Henry kiss young Alice in front of her. Henry, never missing an opportuinity to hurt the Missus, gleefully obliges. Eleanor almost crumbles before your eyes, its a very moving & powerful scene. The other is when Eleanor is alone in her room & she picks up her looking glass and sees an old woman looking back; her silence speaks a thousand words.
O'Toole makes a wonderful Henry, selfish, cruel and ever inward turning without posessing the least amount of insight or self awareness.
This is a fabulous movie, and should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: How to screw up your marriage...
Review: I am not going to retread over all that the other reviewers have said--that the acting and dialogue in this movie is among the best ever in any movie. My only new thing to add is that at the heart of the dysfunctional family is one of the most fascinating married couples in any movie, ever. Essentially, this movie is not about three men vying for the throne; it is about a marriage and its slow failure--it is a character study. And an extremely intriguing one made most effective by the excellent acting and scathing dialogue. It could be that the movie is a bit long, but it's extremely enjoyable nevertheless. And there are lots of quotable lines that'll make you sound worldly and knowledgeable.
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