It’s Christmas 1183, and King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) is planning to announce his successor to the throne. The jockeying for the crown, though, is complex. Henry has three sons and wants his boy Prince John (Nigel Terry) to take over. Henry’s wife, Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn), has other ideas. She believes their son Prince Richard (Anthony Hopkins) should be king. As the family and various schemers gather for the holiday, each tries to make the indecisive king choose their option. The Lion in Winter/Film synopsis
Is The Lion in Winter a true story?
Historical accuracy The Lion in Winter is fictional, and none of the dialogue and actions is historical. There was not a Christmas Court at Chinon in 1183, but the events leading up to the story are generally accurate.
What is the theme of The Lion in Winter?
The Lion in Winter explores themes of dysfunctional family, political maneuvering, war and peace, as well as aging, death, inheritance, and posterity.
How does The Lion in Winter end?
Toward the end of the play, Henry announces that he is going to take Alais with him to Rome to have his marriage with Eleanor annulled, so that he can marry his young mistress and have a son by her, whom he will then name as his heir.
How old was Peter O’Toole in The Lion in Winter?
Burly, with a dark, full beard, O’Toole’s character is considerably different than the wispy Lawrence of Arabia he’d played six years earlier.
What is Aquitaine in Lion in Winter?
The play is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, estranged wife of Henry II of England, who in 1183 is brought home from prison to celebrate another kind of imprisonment: a miserable Christmas with her husband and sons, all four locked in a struggle over the succession to the throne that each knows may precipitate the …
What is the Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter?
Who does Henry end up picking to succeed?
Also present are Henry’s mistress, Princess Alais, who has been promised as wife to the new heir, and her 18-year-old brother, Philip, the king of France. Henry chooses John as successor, but Eleanor, fully aware that Henry holds all three sons in low esteem, proclaims that the throne rightfully belongs to Richard.
Who lost the most in the lion in winter?
Her choice is largely because he is the least favored by Henry in being the one tied to Eleanor’s apron strings in childhood. Lost in the fray is middle son Geoffrey, the scheming one who, like his two brothers, wants to be king one day, sooner than later.
How many times did Peter O’Toole play Henry II?
He was nominated for this award another seven times – for playing King Henry II in both Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr….
| Peter O’Toole | |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Siân Phillips ( m. 1959; div. 1979) |
| Partner(s) | Karen Brown (1982–1988) |
| Children | 3, including Kate |
| Awards | Full list |
How old was Katherine Hepburn when she filmed the lion in winter?
sixty-one years old She was approximately eleven years older. During Christmas 1183, when the movie takes place, Eleanor of Aquitaine, born 1122, would have been sixty-one years old. Katharine Hepburn, who was born May 12, 1907, was also sixty-one years old at the time of production (1968).
How old was Peter O’Toole in Lion in Winter?
O’Toole, who was 36, portrays Henry II at age 50.
What is the setting of the Lion in winter?
Synopsis: The Lion in Winter. It is Christmas 1183 in King Henry II of England’s palace in Chinon, France. Henry is discussing with his mistress, Alais, the upcoming day’s events. Henry’s family will be gathering for the holiday—his wife Eleanor, whom Henry has let out of prison for the occasion, and their three sons, Richard, Geoffrey, and John.
Who are the actors in the movie The Lion in winter?
It was directed by Anthony Harvey, written by James Goldman, and produced by Joseph E. Levine, Jane C. Nusbaum and Martin Poll from Goldman’s adaptation of his own play, The Lion in Winter. The film stars Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, John Castle, Anthony Hopkins (in his film debut in a major role), Jane Merrow,…
When did the Lion in winter come out in Australia?
A 70mm version was released in Australia in 1969, and in the UK in 1973. Katharine Hepburn won her third Oscar for “The Lion in Winter”, playing brassy queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her role is sort of an interesting counterbalance to Peter O’Toole, as King Henry II. That is, she’s elderly and he’s young.
How old is Peter O’Toole in Lion in winter?
Poll was meant to make a film with Joseph Levine and Peter O’Toole, The Ski Bum (which would be written by James Goldman’s brother William). That project fell through and Poll suggested they do Lion in Winter instead. O’Toole, who was 36, portrays Henry II at age 50.
