The Lion in Winter (1968 film)

The Lion in Winter

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1968 (1968)
Founder	James Goldman (writer), Anthony Harvey (director), Joseph E. Levine, Jane C. Nusbaum, Martin Poll (producers)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Historical drama film

The Lion in Winter is a 1968 British historical drama that centers on Henry II of England's attempts to secure his succession during a family reunion at Christmas in 1183. The narrative delves into the complex political and familial tensions between Henry, his estranged wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their sons, the French monarch, and Alais, Henry's mistress. Featuring performances by Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn, the film was directed by Anthony Harvey, written by James Goldman, and produced by Joseph E. Levine, Jane C. Nusbaum, and Martin Poll. The cast also includes early appearances by Anthony Hopkins and debut roles for Timothy Dalton.

Based on Goldman's stage play, the movie garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, securing three Academy Awards, among them Hepburn's record-breaking third Best Actress award. A television adaptation followed in 2003.

Plot

In 1183, Henry II, ruler of the medieval Angevin Empire, calls his family to his fortress at Chinon to decide on his successor. While Henry favors his youngest son John, Eleanor—recently released for the holiday—backs their eldest surviving son Richard.

Henry invites Philip II of France, son of Eleanor’s first husband Louis VII, to address matters concerning Alais—Philip’s half-sister and Henry’s mistress—who is promised in marriage to Henry’s heir. Philip insists either on her marriage or the return of her dowry, the strategically important county of Vexin.

Henry suggests that Alais wed Richard to designate him as heir in exchange for Eleanor relinquishing Aquitaine. Eleanor responds by supporting John’s claim to secure her freedom. At the wedding announcement, Richard rejects the proposal as Henry had foreseen.

John is persuaded by their middle brother Geoffrey to plot with Philip against their father for a chancellorship. Meanwhile, Richard also conspires with Philip while John and Geoffrey hide. Philip reveals his manipulations among the brothers and alludes to a past relationship with Richard, framing it as political maneuvering.

Witnessing his sons’ betrayal, Henry imprisons them and contemplates annulling his marriage to Eleanor to wed Alais and father new heirs. Alais warns that this will not guarantee his lineage due to the threat posed by his sons.

When confronting all his sons together, Henry condemns their treason but spares Richard with a symbolic act. The sons escape; Henry resigns himself to Eleanor’s influence over him.

The following morning Eleanor leaves, symbolizing their continuing intricate relationship amid ongoing political strife.

Cast

• Peter O'Toole as Henry II, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou
• Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine, his estranged queen
• Anthony Hopkins as Richard the Lionheart, their eldest surviving son
• John Castle as Geoffrey, their middle son
• Nigel Terry as John, their youngest son
• Timothy Dalton as Philip II, King of France
• Jane Merrow as Alais, Philip's half-sister and Henry's mistress, engaged to Henry's heir
• Nigel Stock as Captain William Marshall
• Kenneth Ives as Queen Eleanor's personal guard
• O. Z. Whitehead as Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham

Screenplay

Following the financial disappointment of the original stage play, producer Martin Poll secured the adaptation rights to James Goldman's novel Lion in Winter and commissioned Goldman himself to develop the screenplay.

Casting

Initially, Poll had intended to collaborate on a different film featuring Peter O'Toole under Joseph Levine’s production, but when that project did not materialize, he redirected efforts toward Lion in Winter. O'Toole returned to the role of Henry II, a character he had embodied earlier in Becket (1964), this time portraying an older monarch.

Rehearsals commenced in October 1967 at London's Haymarket Theatre, with principal production extending from November 1967 through May 1968.

Filming

The movie was shot at Ardmore Studios in Ireland, complemented by location shoots across Ireland, Wales (notably Marloes Sands), and various sites in France such as Abbaye de Montmajour, Château de Tarascon, Carcassonne, and Saône-et-Loire. The filming schedule was adapted to accommodate Katharine Hepburn’s preference for morning shoots and Peter O’Toole’s for afternoon sessions.

The distinctive carved stone sculptures featured in the opening credits were discovered near one of the French locations and subsequently incorporated into the castle’s interior scenes within the film.

After his role here, Timothy Dalton was offered the part of James Bond for On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) but declined due to age concerns; he later portrayed Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989).

Box office

The film debuted on 30 October 1968, with a London premiere following on 29 December 1968. It generated approximately $6.4 million in distributor rentals across North America during its first year of release and ranked as the 14th highest-grossing film at the U.S. box office in 1969.

Critical

Renata Adler of The New York Times characterized the movie as "outdoorsy and enjoyable," filled with the kind of intricate plotting and action that once defined straightforward entertainment cinema.

Variety lauded it as "a powerful, intense personal drama" elevated by remarkable performances from Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. Director Anthony Harvey received commendation for his adept guidance of a strong ensemble cast and high production standards under producer Martin H. Poll.

Film critic Roger Ebert awarded a perfect score of four stars, praising the film’s intelligent script and execution, deeming it emotionally more compelling than A Man for All Seasons.

Charles Champlin from the Los Angeles Times hailed it as the most literate film of its year, applauding its imaginative recreation of historical period and atmosphere.

In contrast, Pauline Kael of The New Yorker critiqued the film for attempting to infuse melodrama with serious emotion and historical gravitas but ultimately producing what she termed a "camp historical play" lacking genuine depth.

David Wilson of The Monthly Film Bulletin offered a mixed perspective, describing Hepburn's portrayal as a standout achievement while labeling the overall film as "highly polished theatricality" that fails to deliver substance beyond its refined exterior.

As of October 2021, Rotten Tomatoes compiles reviews reflecting a % approval rating with an average score of , highlighting the film’s sharp wit, intricate palace intrigue, and notable performances by Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and Anthony Hopkins in his debut screen role.

In its February 2020 issue, New York Magazine included The Lion in Winter among "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars."

Accolades

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
Academy Awards	Best Picture	Martin Poll	Template:Nom
	Best Director	Anthony Harvey	Template:Nom
	Best Actor	Peter O'Toole	Template:Nom
	Best Actress	Katharine Hepburn	Template:Won
	Best Adapted Screenplay	James Goldman	Template:Won
	Best Costume Design	Margaret Furse	Template:Nom
	Best Original Score	John Barry	Template:Won
British Academy Film Awards	Best Actress in a Leading Role	Katharine Hepburn	Template:Won
	Best Actor in a Supporting Role	Anthony Hopkins	Template:Nom
	Best Screenplay	James Goldman	Template:Nom
	Best Cinematography	Douglas Slocombe	Template:Nom
	Best Costume Design	Margaret Furse	Template:Nom
	Best Film Music	John Barry	Template:Won
	Best Sound	Chris Greenham and Simon Kaye	Template:Nom
	United Nations Award	Anthony Harvey	Template:Nom
British Society of Cinematographers Awards	Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film	Douglas Slocombe	Template:Won

Preservation

In 2000, the The Lion in Winter film was preserved by the Academy Film Archive.

Historical accuracy

Although the film’s portrayal of the characters’ backgrounds and destinies aligns broadly with history, The Lion in Winter itself is a work of fiction. A Christmas court did occur at Caen in 1182, but there is no record of one at Chinon in 1183. Henry II fathered numerous illegitimate children and had several mistresses; the film’s reference to "Rosamund Clifford" corresponds to one of his well-known lovers. The historical backdrop includes the Revolt of 1173–1174, followed by a subsequent uprising in 1183 involving Young Henry and Geoffrey, which resulted in Young Henry’s death. Debates about the sexuality of Richard I of England#Speculation regarding sexuality persist, though no definitive conclusions have been reached.

Geoffrey met his end during a jousting event in Paris in 1186 amid suspicions of plots against Henry involving Philip II. In 1189, Richard and Philip launched a third rebellion that compelled Henry to withdraw to Chinon, where he eventually passed away. Richard the Lionheart succeeded him but spent most of his reign outside England, leading Christian forces during the Third Crusade. Despite winning important battles, he did not succeed in reclaiming Jerusalem. Upon Richard’s death in 1199, John inherited the throne but lost much of the French territories and faced baronial revolts that culminated in the Magna Carta. John is also famously depicted as an antagonist in the legends surrounding Robin Hood. The film’s depiction of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke—as being under pressure from Henry II—is notable; historically, Marshal outlived these monarchs and served as regent for the young King Henry III, King of England.

See also

• List of historical drama films
• List of Christmas films