the lion in winter historical accuracy
First, a few words about this edition. Ultimately, though, all plays, historical or not, must be judged not according to how accurately they have employed facts but how profoundly they have explored truths. A royal dream team … Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn in The Lion in Winter. The Lion in Winter (1968) directed by Anthony Harvey, and based on James Goldman’s 1966 play, is an overtly historical film, set at Chinon Castle in 1183, where Henry II summons his imprisoned wife Queen Eleanor, his three sons Richard, John and Geoffrey, Philip Augustus the King of France and his sister Alais, also Henry’s mistress, to a Christmas gathering to discuss the succession. In several scenes, his armor is concealing a plaster cast. The title of James Goldman's play, The Lion in Winter, was meant to refer to Henry II. With Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle. Director Anthony Harvey was stricken with hepatitis, causing further delays in post-production editing. But "The Lion in Winter" also functions at an emotional level, and is the better film, I think. Here are some timeline references to give you a sense of what came before and after this Christmas of 1183. Every play had a yesterday and will have a tomorrow. How historically inaccurate is the 2004 movie King Arthur? Late Antiquity really isn't a period I know a lot about but I already saw a few things that were completely off (crossbows anyone?) It is filmed in the “revisionist” style of the late 60’s/early 70’s, when medieval times were portrayed in all their grit, filth, warts, and carbuncles – you get no gleaming Camelot here, no … Trivia. Directed by Anthony Harvey. Particular references to characters and events mentioned in The Lion in Winter and events that directly affected England are shown in brown. elements of drama. The film has received careful remastering, and the picture and sound put one in mind of a new film, let alone a 50-year-old classic. The Lion in Winter is an Anthony Harvey film, based on James Goldman‘s play of the same name. One of the joys which movies provide too rarely is the opportunity to see a literate script handled intelligently. "The Lion in Winter" triumphs at that difficult task; not since "A Man for All Seasons" have we had such capable handling of a story about ideas. This review is for the 50th Anniversary Restored Blu-Ray Edition of The Lion in Winter. I have waited for a remastered, English-subtitled release of this glorious film for years. But when the play was adapted for the screen in 1968, the designation better referred to Katherine Hepburn, its redoubtable star. They and his wife variously plot to force him. 1183 A.D.: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. Filming was delayed for several weeks after Anthony Hopkins fell from a horse and broke his arm. Some praise The Lion in Winter as a comic family drama that demonstrates the wit and humor of its characters as well as their deeply human qualities and the poignancy of their genuine need for love.