The Lion in Winter (1968) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)

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The Lion in Winter (1968)
Director(s)	Anthony Harvey
Producer(s)	Joseph E. Levine (executive), Jane C. Nusbaum (associate), Martin Poll
Top Genres	Drama, Film Adaptation, Historical
Top Topics	Based on Play, Royalty

Featured Cast:

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Katharine Hepburn
(as Eleanor of Aquitaine)

The Lion in Winter Overview:

The Lion in Winter (1968) was a Drama - Historical Film directed by Anthony Harvey and produced by Joseph E. Levine, Martin Poll and Jane C. Nusbaum.

The film was based on the play of the same name written by James Goldman performed at the Ambassador Theatre, NY from Mar 3, 1966 - May 21, 1966.

Academy Awards 1968 --- Ceremony Number 41 (source: AMPAS)

Award	Recipient	Result
Best Actor	Peter O'Toole	Nominated
Best Actress	Katharine Hepburn	Won
Best Costume Design	Margaret Furse	Nominated
Best Director	Anthony Harvey	Nominated
Best Music - Scoring	John Barry	Won
Best Picture	Martin Poll, Producer	Nominated
Best Writing	James Goldman	Won

The Lion in Winter (1968) (3)

By Beatrice on Jan 14, 2020 From Flickers in Time

The Lion in Winter Directed by Anthony Harvey Written by James Goldman from his play 1968/UK IMDb link Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant This movie holds up so damn well to a re-watch. The plot is kind of convoluted. ?It takes up the dual tasks of conveying some history of the Plantagenets of England ... Read full article

25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968) (5)

on Dec 8, 2017 From Journeys in Classic Film

Originally published December 2nd, 2014 The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera a... Read full article

25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968) (4)

on Dec 5, 2016 From Journeys in Classic Film

25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968) (3)

on Dec 8, 2015 From Journeys in Classic Film

25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968) (2)

on Dec 2, 2014 From Journeys in Classic Film

The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera antics within a Christmas package. ?Watch... Read full article

See all The Lion in Winter articles

Quotes from

Henry II: I found out the way your mind works and the kind of man you are. I know your plans and expectations - you've burbled every bit of strategy you've got. I know exactly what you will do, and exactly what you won't, and I've told you exactly nothing. To these aged eyes, boy, that's what winning looks like!

Henry II: What is this? I'm not mouldering. My paint's not peeling off. I'm good for years.
Eleanor: How many years? Suppose I hold you back for one. I can. It's possible. Suppose your first son dies, ours did. It's possible. Suppose you're daughtered next, we were. That too is possible. How old is daddy then? What kind of spindly, ricket-ridden, milky, wizened, dim-eyed, gammy-handed, limpy line of things will you beget?

Eleanor: What family doesn't have its ups and downs?

Facts about

While filming close-ups of Richard (Anthony Hopkins) in his jousting costume, the horse was spooked and bolted. Hopkins fell off and broke his arm. Filming the scene with his sword raised above his jousting opponent was very difficult due to this.

Eleanor greets King Philip by telling him that she could have been his mother. This is in fact, true. Eleanor's first husband, Louis VII, later fathered Alais by his second wife and Philip by his third. Eleanor's marriage to Louis was annulled by the Pope when she was unable to bear him sons. She gave Henry five boys, two of whom died before the action of the movie takes place.

Katharine Hepburn affectionately referred to Peter O'Toole as "pig" during filming. Every day at five o'clock the two would unwind over a cigarette and a glass of white wine.

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The Lion in Winter (1968)