The Lion in Winter
Seen it?1968 | 134 min | Drama, History
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 3 Oscars, it made about 6 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Becket or The Tragedy of Macbeth, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1968: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Christmas 1183, Angevin Empire: King Henry II plans to announce his successor to the throne. Jockeying for the crown, though, is complex. Henry has three sons and wants his boy Prince John to take over. Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor, believes their son Prince Richard should be king. As family and various schemers gather for the holiday, each tries to make the indecisive king choose their option.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Academy Awards: Best Original Score. Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Film Music. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Written American Drama. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars, 5 more Golden Globes and 5 more BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$22 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 271K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Anthony Harvey
- Peter O'TooleHenry II
- Katharine HepburnEleanor of Aquitaine
- Anthony HopkinsRichard
- John CastleGeoffrey
- Nigel TerryJohn
- Timothy DaltonPhilip II
- Jane MerrowAlais
- Nigel StockWilliam Marshall
- O.Z. WhiteheadBishop of Durham
- Kenneth IvesQueen Eleanor's Guard