A Reel Retro Review: THE LION IN WINTER (1968)

With no new films to review for the foreseeable future, Reel Speak will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week. Not just for the sake of filling time, but to hopefully introduce some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. In the spirit of the season, Reel Speak continues the holiday series…

When fans of cinema hear the words “lion” and “winter” during this time of year, they may think of the adaptation of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (2005), which has become a holiday favorite. But long before that adventure into Narnia, there was another holiday-time film using those same terms. Now comes the 1968 film by Anthony Harvey, THE LION IN WINTER. 

 

It is Christmas in the year 1183, and King Henry II (Peter O’Toole), is faced with the decision of which of his three sons will take the throne after him. Henry favors his youngest son John (Nigel Terry), while his wife and Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn), favors the eldest son, Richard the Lionheart (Anthony Hopkins). Meanwhile, the middle son Geoffrey (John Castle), forms an uneasy alliance with the King of France (Timothy Dalton), to mess up everyone’s plans. 

 

Based on the play of the same name, the business of THE LION IN WINTER is to decide which of the three sons will inherit the crown once Henry is gone. Neither of the three sons are ideal, with John being a weakling, and the other two sons unfit for their cruelty. Most of the film takes place on Christmas Eve, with the members of the Royal family plotting and planning against each other. It’s a dialogue-heavy film with not a lot of action (a few sword fights here and there), and the script handles the many dodges and weaves nicely. 

 

Henry II may be king, but this is set in age before king and queens lived in pampered comfort. The castle is rough and has dirt floors, and we have a gritty, lived-in look where king’s walk through halls dodging livestock. There’s a strong sense of realism going on, giving the movie an authenticity that really works. 

 

It is clear that the film is based on a play, as almost every scene hangs out in one room and is packed with endless dialogue. The script is sharp, witty, and funny at times…and the ensemble cast does great work with it. Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn are like watching thunder on the screen; one minute they are showing great affection for one another, and the next they are at each other’s throats. Anthony Hopkins is excellent, as is a very young Timothy Dalton. Nigel Terry steals the show. 

 

LION IN WINTER is set on Christmas Eve, and has a few holiday elements visible, but it would be a stretch to call this a holiday film. Still, it can remind us of some of our own family dinners which turned into a battleground, and it does feel at home for December viewing. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

 

*

 

Reel Facts: THE LION IN WINTER would be nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Katharine Hepburn would win her third Oscar for Best Actress. Nigel Terry would later play King Arthur in John Boorman’s EXCALIBUR in 1981.