The Lion in Winter

"This film has been on my watchlist for an very long time, years. I finally was in a dramatic mood to watch it. 🤔🧐 What a stellar ensemble cast! The plot is about King Henry II, played masterfully by Peter O'Toole, (although I felt he shouted a little too much sometimes to punctuate his sentences) during the Christmas🎄season in England, 1183. He is eager to name a successor to the throne. His estranged wife, Elaine of Aquitane, beautifully and craftily played by Katherine Hepburn, arrives just in time to push her agenda for successor. Henry's three sons: Prince John (Nigel Terry) , Prince Richard (Anthony Hopkins), Phillip II, (Timothy Dalton), and Geoffrey II, John Castle, all want their time in the sun. The entire film plays out with political battles and amazing drama, all on the estate of King Henry II. The acting is exquisite. "

"This movie has been on my watchlist for a very long time, and I finally found it streaming on Kanopy. A great film overall that - while it does not truly escape the feel of a play - still manages to impress with phenomenal acting across the board and screenplay. Watching the actors work together on screen here is truly a sight to behold, with Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn in particular standing out in the lead roles (I can see why Katharine won her 3rd Best Actress Oscar for this, and I wish Peter also won alongside her (he sadly ties the record for most acting nominations without any wins, tying the record with Glenn Close)). Equally impressive debut performances from Timothy Dalton and Anthony Hopkins too (what a way to start a film career). Fantastic score, cinematography, and production values as well! Highly recommended especially to see how a great script paired with great actors can really make a film soar!"

"for a movie set in 1183 and made in 1969, it is quite entertaining. *chef's kiss*"

"A pure Drama. Peter O’Toole’s performance is masterful, and is a believable King. ✍️ the anger portrayed is almost poetic, because of mix of beautiful writing and directing. A quarter way into the film and it becomes relentlessly great without dropping in quality for a second. Legendary 👌."

"Tour de force Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn, throw in Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton and no not of scenery is unchewed"

"Second most quotable movie, after Casablanca. "Geoffrey: Why, you chivalric fool—as if the way one fell down mattered. Richard: When the fall is all there is, it matters. †*************** Henry: I've snapped and plotted all my life. There's no other way to be a king, alive and fifty all at the same time."

"The perfect Christmas movie for those jaded souls whose family life didn’t resemble a Jimmy Stewart movie. "