The Lion in Winter

Director: Anthony Harvey Anthony Harvey

Overview

"Full of plots and schemes, this wordy costume drama, an Oscar winner from 1968, come to DVD with some fine results. While not without its faults, the 2.35:1 transfer, enhanced for 16 x 9 televisions, is surprising strong on all accounts. Specks of grain and occasional scratches don't interrupt this top-quality presentation, one that highlights the limited use of colors while, at the same time, gives equal balance between dark and earthy tones which comprise the majority of the surroundings. The muddy feel of the 12th century is captured almost flawlessly. The two-channel mono soundtrack in Dolby Digital isn't going to impress anyone, nor was it meant to. At times a certain amount of echo is present, and auditory detail isn't its strong point, but for the most part, there are few complaints as dialogue is clear enough. Considering this is a dialogue-driven film, that is sufficient. While not necessarily going out of its way, MGM has supplied a couple of supplements. The exceedingly dated theatrical trailer is included, but far more noteworthy is an audio commentary recorded in 2000 by director Anthony Harvey. In a typically reserved British manner, Harvey discusses a number of points about his involvement in the production, but, unfortunately, the track is marred by significant gaps. Still, his memories of more than 30 years earlier have relevance."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/19/2001
UPC:	0027616858979
Original Release:	1968
Rating:	PG
Source:	Mgm (Video & Dvd)
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:15:00
Sales rank:	9,557

Special Features

Audio commentary by director Anthony Harvey; Original theatrical trailer; French and Spanish subtitles

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Katharine Hepburn	Eleanor of Aquitaine
Peter O'Toole	Henry II
Anthony Hopkins	Richard
Jane Merrow	Alais
John Castle	Geoffrey
Timothy Dalton	King Philip of France
Nigel Stock	William Marshall
Nigel Terry	John
O.Z. Whitehead	Bishop of Durham
Kenneth Griffith	Strolling Player,Actor,Strolling Player
Kenneth Ives	Eleanor's Guard
Henry Wolff	Actor
Karol Hagar	Actor
Fran Stafford	Lady in Waiting
Ella More	Lady in Waiting
Henry Woolf	Strolling Player
John Barry	Composer

Technical Credits

James Goldman

Anthony Harvey	Director
James Goldman	Screenwriter
Martin Poll	Producer,Producer
Joseph E. Levine	Executive Producer
Simon Kaye	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Barbed tongues wound to the quick in this James Goldman screenplay about England's King Henry II (1133-1189) and his dysfunctional family. Peter O'Toole dominates the film with his forceful portrayal of the legendary Henry. As ruler of a vast Anglo-Norman kingdom, the 50-year-old monarch holds sway over all that he sees -- except his wife and three sons. At Christmas, the family gathers in Chinon, France, as Henry considers who will inherit the crown. He favors John (Nigel Terry). His estranged wife and queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn), favors Richard (Anthony Hopkins). His third son, Geoffrey (John Castle), bitter that no one has championed his cause, schemes for the leavings of power. And then Henry fires the first salvo of the verbal war: "What should we hang -- the holly or each other?" O'Toole gives one of his finest performances, spitting volleys of sarcasm and mockery at his wife and sons. Hepburn as the queen, returns insult for insult while also acknowledging that embers of love for Henry -- whose mistress abides nearby -- continue to burn. Meanwhile, the sons plot against Henry and each other. Hopkins, as Richard, gets the prize for delivering the best verbal low blow when he calls crybaby John a "walking pustule." Metaphors of better and more elegant quality season the dialogue throughout the film, allowing the actors to wring brilliance from their tongues. Credit writer Goldman, who adapted the script from his own play, for this achievement. During the film, the choral music of John Barry sets an appropriately ominous mood. And director Anthony Harvey occasionally mixes in action sequences, featuring poised lances and gleaming daggers, to pick up the pace. The costumes, the gloomy castle, and the clip-clop of snorting steeds, all accent the period ambience, but in the end it is the wonderful acting -- in particular O'Toole's and Hepburn's -- that carries the day and makes The Lion in Winter a masterpiece worth viewing again and again.