‘The Lion in Winter’ is a historical film depicting Christmas at Henry II’s court in the Twelfth Century. He must decide which of his three sons should succeed him to the English throne, and brings his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine out of captivity to join them. This conniving, back-stabbing royal family makes most ordinary families seem normal and likeable, and puts festive squabbles as warring relatives are thrown together as the alcohol flows firmly into context.
The story is a great wheeze. The screenplay is by James Goldman, who had adapted his own stage play. Thanks to the dialogue-heavy approach and single setting, with most of the action taking place in and around a magnificent stone castle (the exteriors were shot on location and interiors in studio), you can immediately spot the film’s theatrical origins. This is a factor that viewers will love or hate, depending on how much you like your on-screen drama to be action-packed. ‘The Lion in Winter' is all about the script and the performances.
The film is notable for many reasons, but not least for affording Katharine Hepburn (‘The African Queen', ‘On Golden Pond') her third Academy Award for best actress. As the scheming, wily warrior Eleanor of Aquitaine, she is perfectly cast. Throughout the film she locks swords with Pete O’Toole’s delightfully mad and entertaining Henry II. Hepburn may chew through her lines like she’s relishing a rare steak, and O’Toole may match her theatricality in chewing parts of the scenery, but my goodness they’re a lot of fun together.
‘The Lion in Winter’ also provided breakthrough roles for two British stars who would go on to gain international fame and recognition. Anthony Hopkins, himself no stranger to Academy Award success (for ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘The Father’), is at his intense and fiery best as Richard. His character would later go on to become King Richard the First (better known by his sobriquet ‘Richard the Lionheart’). He is the eldest of Henry and Eleanor’s three boys, and believes he has the strongest claim to the throne. A fighter by temperament, he also has a sentimental side, and he harbours an almost pathological hatred for both of his parents.
The object of Richard’s affections is the devastatingly handsome Prince Philip of France, played by Timothy Dalton. Although he will be forever associated with the part of James Bond, which he played twice in the 1980s, returning some much-needed gravitas to the role, Dalton’s impressive six-decade career continues to be relentless. During the last few years alone he has appeared in ‘Doom Patrol’, ‘1923’ and ‘The Crown’. The Bond producers were so impressed by his performance in ‘The Lion in Winter' that they offered Dalton the part of 007 without any more credits to his name. Dalton declined in 1968, and the part went to George Lazenby, but twenty years later, Cubby Broccoli finally got his man.
It is notable how well-directed both Hopkins and Dalton are. They have great restraint considering they were making their film debuts and were young (especially Dalton, who was but 22). The maturity they give to their performances would make anyone believe they had been honing their craft for decades.
The other two sons are played by John Castle (a fantastic character actor and familiar face who has rarely been given the chance to lead) and the late John Terry. Castle is perfectly cast as the smart diplomat Geoffrey, who nobody considers as the successor to the throne, while John Terry brings comedy relief as the skulking, sulky John (later Bad King John – so bad there’s never been another John on the throne).
The superb cast make the dialogue sparkle in ‘The Lion in Winter’. If anything, for the sake of cinema, some of the lines should have been cut as it occasionally feels too leaden for screen. Moments such as Peter O'Toole's extravagant arms-out gesture as the credits roll are perhaps a touch overdone, but for the most part, director Anthony Harvey succeeds in telling the story visually. John Barry (best known for his contributions to the ‘James Bond’ franchise) provides the musical score, embellishing it with medieval nods. His compositions lift the film to greater heights.
There are a host of extra features on the disc. This includes an excellent twenty-minute interview with Anthony Hopkins, who recalls in astonishing detail the making of the film. He relates his views on working with the other illustrious cast members, and how the film shaped his career. This includes a funny anecdote about his exchange with Laurence Olivier as he left the National Theatre to make the film. John Castle is also on-hand to give his reminiscences. There is an archive commentary by director Anthony Harvey (who died in 2017). You can see the restoration trailer above.
Looking extra sharp, and with vivid colours, ‘The Lion in Winter' in 4K is a massive step up from the quality of earlier releases, where the colours have looked washed out. It is a great way to enjoy a good, solid film that has standout moments and comes close to greatness. The extra features demonstrate the affection still held for this witty and unusual 1968 historical. It's invariably useful for pub quizzes to know which monarch Eleanor of Aquitaine was married to, ensuring that ‘The Lion in Winter' is educational as well as entertaining.
Cast: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, John Castle, John Terry Writer: James Goldman Director: Anthony Harvey Running time: 134 mins Released by: Studiocanal Release date: 17th February 2025 Buy ‘The Lion in Winter'
