Review of The Lion in Winter (1968) by James P — 05 Aug 2007

While most period-pieces are bogged down with weak, confusing or pseudo-authentic dialogue, the award-winning screenplay features some of the smartest, wittiest dialgue ever onscreen. It also helps that the lines are delivered by Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and Anthony Hopkins, and an entire cast brimming with talent.

Hepburn and O'Toole have perfect chemistry, locked in a battle of wits, and which of their three sons should become king. It gets a bit talky, but the dialgue is so good, no one should really mind.

And like any good mideival story, there is quite a bit of action. This movie proves that even in 1183, dysfuctional families were nothing new, but always fun to watch.