Review of The Lion in Winter (1968) by Barbara R — 07 Aug 2011

I don't think I've ever seen a film so poignant. In a monarchy, the royal family's feuds become the politics of the land. Personal quarrels are the political intrigue of that time and I enjoyed watching every bit of it.

The King in Winter is as much a political thriller as In the Loop or Frost/Nixon, yet set in medieval times much like Elizabeth (1998). There's no swashbuckling here just scheming and haggling out short-lived truces.

With wife vs. husband, brother vs. brother, mother vs. son and father vs son, the royals take pleasure in bringing up each others' personal failures whenever they're all gathered in a room - which is often.

Henry II's affair with a younger woman, Richard I's affair with the King of France, past betrayals and the issue of who's going to marry who, who's going to be king and who's getting which parcel of land color this particular family's troubles but they manage to kiss and make up like all families do.

Every line has a purpose and is infused with such wit and glamour, you follow ever word just not to miss anything. Hepburn and O'Toole outdo themselves and the actors who play their three sons aren't bad either.

It is no wonder Hepburn won an Oscar for her role. I also appreciate how the film handled Richard being gay; too many people don't like to admit one of England's greatest kings was gay. All in all a stunning film that will stay with me for a long time.