Movie Review: Lion in Winter - 1968 and 2003

One of my favorite movies has always been the Lion in Winter, since medieval history is a favorite time period to study. I am particularly interested in the 12th century and King Henry II, the subject of this movie, so I just knew it would become one of my treasured videos. There is, however, a difference between the movie that was released in the 1960s, and the one that came out just a few years ago. In the older version, King Henry is played by Peter O'Toole; in the newer version, this role is given to Patrick Stewart. If one delves deep enough they will discover that the real King Henry II was very temperamental, and though Patrick Stewart has had much practice in medieval roles, I think Peter O'Toole's deep-throated voice better captures the essence of the man.

Henry's feisty wife Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was first played by Katharine Hepburn and later by Glenn Close, isn't content to leave her husband alone and insists on interrupting all his plans for his youngest son's succession to the throne. The plot thickens when it is discovered that all three sons have their reasons for tricking their aging father and making a quick way to the kingship. I think I will always like Katharine Hepburn as the undomitable queen, merely for the depth of emotion she put into her acting, even considering that Glenn Close looked to be more the age that Eleanor would have been in the late 1100s. The movie begins in 1183 at English-held Chinon Castle in France. All seems well at first; Henry has finally released the bold Eleanor from the virtual prison he's kept her in all these years. Their sons, commanding Richard who is an expert fighter, the wily Geoffrey, and the bumbling teenage John, all make sure there is plenty of action.

Yes, there is some romance (many movie-makers seem to think no scene is complete without it) but in the 1960s version of Lion in Winter, it is approached cleanly. In the newer version of the movie and with different actors, there are a few scenes that could be classified as distasteful if you're watching with kids. However, this is just a couple times throughout the movie and isn't a distraction. The best thing about Lion in Winter is the emotion; you just *know* how Henry feels when he is betrayed by his sons, and you can sense Eleanor's heart being torn between loving and despising her husband of all these years.

The youngest son, John, is rumored to be the next king, but Eleanor will have nothing of it. All throughout the short time she is allowed to visit Chinon, she schemes for her eldest son, Richard (known as Richard the Lionheart) to become king instead of his childish brother. Into the mix comes Henry's mistress Alice, who is to be given over to Richard in a loveless marriage in exchange for land. And we cannot forget William Marshal, Henry's loyal knight who always seems to break up the mayhem when one of the brothers finds himself in trouble. I only regret that William (whose historical counterpart I find fascinating) didn't get more than one or two speaking lines in either version!

If you like historical accuracy, you will probably enjoy the more modern version of Lion in Winter because more care and effort was put into the backgrounds. Instead of just seeing the royal family, you hear the musicians, see the kinds of dishes that were consumed, and watch medieval plays. This version definitely put more historic detail into the story. Even if accuracy isn't important to you, you will agree that it is refreshing to hear that our medieval ancestors probably went through the same things we do.

The 1968 Lion in Winter cast, besides Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn in the main roles, includes Nigel Terry as Prince John, John Castle as middle son Geoffrey, Anthony Hopkins as the arrogant Prince Richard, and Jane Merrow as Alice. The 2003 edition casts Patrick Stewart as King Henry, Glenn Close as Queen Eleanor, and Andrew Howard, John Light, and Rafe Spall as Richard, Geoffrey, and John. Alice is played by Yuliya Vysotskaya, who looks, sounds, and acts more like a medieval French princess than her predecessor, at least in my opinion.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer