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The Lion In Winter |
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The Lion in Winter is a 1966 Broadway play by James Goldman. It was adapted to film by Anthony Harvey debuting on October 30, 1968 starring Peter O'Toole (reprising his role from Becket) as King Henry II of England and Katharine Hepburn as his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The story, set during Christmas 1183 at Henry's château and primary residence in Chinon, Normandy (current day France), centres on the conflict between the estranged couple and their adult sons and heirs to the throne: Prince Richard the Lionhearted (the future King Richard I of England, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins in his film debut), Prince John (the future King John, played by Nigel Terry), and Geoffrey Duke of Britanny (played by John Castle). Timothy Dalton also debuts as King Philip II of France, the son of Eleanor's ex-husband.
The story is a work of fiction: there was no Christmas Court at Chinon in 1183, although there had been a Christmas court at Caen in 1182 that brought family members together. None of the dialogue or actions are historic however the outcomes of the characters and the background of the story are historically accurate.
Hepburn won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The musical score by John Barry also won an Oscar, as did Goldman's adaptation of his play.
One unusual note of trivia regarding the movie was the longevity of its cast. The film was made in 1968, yet no major cast member died until Katharine Hepburn in 2003, thirty five years later.
A television production of The Lion in Winter was first shown on May 23, 2004. It starred Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close, and was directed by Andrei Konchalovsky. |
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Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia
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Lion in Winter, Mini Movie Poster
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The Lion In Winter (1968 Film) [SOUNDTRACK] |
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Trivia
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- This was the second time that 'O'Toole, Peter' played King Henry II. The first time was in Becket. He received Academy Award nominations for both performances.
- Katharine Hepburn is descended from Elinor of Aquitaine in numerous lines, from both Elinor's marriage to Louis VII, King of France, and Elinor's marriage to Henry II, King of England.
- Timothy Dalton's first film role.
- While filming close-ups of Richard (Anthony Hopkins) in his jousting costume, the horse was spooked and bolted. Hopkins fell off and broke his arm. Filming the scene with his sword raised above his jousting opponent was very difficult due to this.
Goofs
- Wake from the boat carrying the camera and crew visible when Eleanor is being ferried to Henry's castle.
- During the battle at the beginning of the movie, the second group of ambushing mounted warriors charge onto the beach from their hiding place in the rocks. Although it is supposed to be a surprise attack, the pathway from the hiding place to the battle, on otherwise pristine sand, is visible from previous takes.
- At one point Eleanor states that the year is 1183. At another point Henry II claims " I'm 50 now, I've even got 10 years on the Pope." However, the pope in 1183 was Lucius III who was born in Lucca Italy in 1097. Henry II was born on 5 March 1133, making him 36 years younger than the pope.
- For a moment Eleanor appears in front of Henry and Alais. Then she puts her hands one on the other, about her breast, and says to Henry she wants to watch him to kiss Alais. In the following shot her hands had changed position.
- After John goes out of the room, Eleanor stands up and talks to Geoffrey gesticulating with her right hand about her neck. Next shot her right hand is lower, about her belly.
- When Eleanor lights a torch and steps down the stairs followed by a guard, the torch shadow projects on the guard and, after, on the wall on the left. It is supposed to be the only light came from the torch.
- There was a Christmas Court at Caen in 1182, but not one at Chinon in 1183.
- As Eleanor's boat travels down the river the wake of the camera boat can be seen in the foreground.
- Just after Henry II finishes the sword fight with Prince John, a modern white house appears momentarily on the hill behind him.
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| Details
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- Directors: Anthony Harvey
- Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Rated:
 - Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
- DVD Release Date: June 19, 2001
- Run Time: 134 minutes
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The Lion in Winter : A Play |
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