The Lion in Winter (1968)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  134 Minutes

Rated: A (PG)

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Director: Anthony Harvey

Starring: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, Timothy Dalton, Jane Merrow

IMDB Rank: 7.9/10

***Originally released in roadshow format having an overture, intermission, and exit music. All subsequent releases have excluded the roadshow format.

Part 1 Time:  88 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  46 Minutes

Where does the first part end? King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) feels betrayed by each one of his sons. He lays atop of the castle wall staring up at the sky thinking of his next plot.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Henry?” Alais (Jane Merrow) wakes from her bed as King Henry II stands in the doorway. King Henry II then leaves.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “The Christmas wine is in the pot. The Christmas coals are red.” sings Alais while in the Great Chamber.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, King Henry II is at a loss, as he has learned about the many plots to succeed him as King of England. How will King Henry II counteract these plots and who can he trust moving forward?

Which part is better? Based on the stage play of the same name the Lion in Winter shows the dysfunction and chaos of royal succession. Part one is given the slight advantage as we see the plotting brought forth by Elanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) to make Richard I (Anthony Hopkins) the future king of England. The dialogue between King Henry II and Elanor is a sight that should not be missed.

Academy Awards: Best Leading Actress (Katharine Hepburn), Best Writing-Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Best Music-Original Score for a Motion Picture