Review of The Lion in Winter (1968) by Stephen M — 12 Apr 2008

This extraordinary film remains faithful to the play, one of the best ever written, which is the perfect foundation for a succesful adaptation. Add to that foundation the ambience created by the locations, art direction, cinematography and John Barry's score (Oscar!) and you have built the walls of the castle. Inside that castle, place some of the greatest actors of all time, speaking the wittiest, smartest, most crackling dialogue put onscreen since All About Eve and BAM! you have one helluva ride on film.

And THAT is how you get a best picture Oscar.

Interesting trivia: this is Hopkin's first movie, O'Toole played Henry at two different times of his life in two different movies and was Oscar nominated both times, Hepburn and Streisand tied for the Oscar this year.

This movie truly is one of the all time greats.