IMDb >
The Lion in Winter (1968)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Lion in Winter (1968) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
30 October 1968 (USA) moreTagline:
The most significant reserved seat attraction of the year!Plot:
1183 AD: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. They and his wife variously plot to force him. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 16 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Swank's 'Amelia' Performance Gets First Oscar Kiss (From Get The Big Picture. 20 October 2009, 3:02 PM, PDT)
Anthony Harvey Recalls Directing "The Lion In Winter" At Loews Jersey City
(From CinemaRetro. 1 May 2009, 1:14 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
This film makes a great educational tool! more (139 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Peter O'Toole | ... | Henry II | |
| Katharine Hepburn | ... | Eleanor of Aquitaine | |
| Anthony Hopkins | ... | Richard | |
| John Castle | ... | Geoffrey | |
| Nigel Terry | ... | John | |
| Timothy Dalton | ... | King Philip of France | |
| Jane Merrow | ... | Alais | |
| Nigel Stock | ... | Capt. William Marshall | |
| Kenneth Ives | ... | Queen Eleanor's guard | |
| O.Z. Whitehead | ... | Bishop of Durham | |
| Fran Stafford | ... | Lady in Waiting | |
| Ella More | ... | Lady in Waiting | |
| Kenneth Griffith | ... | Strolling player | |
| Henry Woolf | ... | Strolling player | |
| Karol Hagar | ... | Strolling player |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
134 min | UK:137 min (70 mm version)Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 moreCertification:
Iceland:16 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | UK:A (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the movie Prince Richard (later King Richard I) is depicted as having a homosexual relationship with King Philip of France. Actually it was his brother Geoffery who was Philips lover. moreFAQ
Is this movie based on a novel?Is this movie based on real events?
more
more (139 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Lion in Winter (1968) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Lion in Winter | Young Bess | Juana la Loca | Edward II | Elizabeth: The Golden Age |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












I am a high school history teacher, and I use this film to give students insight to the way Medieval kings, queens, and princes plotted and schemed with and against one another, how marriages were arranged with political motives, and how the relationships between these self-important royals shaped the history of the time. When I first introduced the films plot to my student, I was met with apathy and predisposed boredom, but they quickly were caught up in the intrigue and plot twists. At each major turn (an impromptu wedding, a surprise revelation about one of the character's sexuality, etc.), the students were often literally gasping.
As for the film itself, I can not think of a movie with more solid acting from the headliners (O'Toole and Hepburn) to the other principal players (Hopkins, Dalton, Terry, and especially Castle), and even the other characters are well cast (Merrow as Alais is not especially solid, but she is at least adequate in her portrayal as "the only pawn" in this game of kings, queens, and knights).
It is, of course, not to be seen as wholly accurate historically, as it would be near impossible to achieve such for events that took place 800 years ago, but the major themes are true to form, and the film is wonderfully engrossing. Highly recommended!