Overview
A royal family grapples with power and loyalty during a tense Christmas gathering.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- fierce
- theatrical
- classic cinema night
- historical drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the literate adaptation, exceptional performances, intelligent handling of ideas, and richly realized medieval setting, while some found its theatrical polish and heightened dialogue overly artificial.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Henry, Eleanor, and their sons use marital grievances, affection, and betrayal as weapons in the succession contest.
James Goldman's literate adaptation and the cast's rapid, caustic exchanges foreground polished theatricality and emotional excess.
The Christmas gathering exists to force Henry's choice among John, Richard, and the other claimants to the throne.
Castles, court spaces, and rugged exteriors frame the family conflict with monumental historical production design.
Films like The Lion in Winter, and why
A Man for All Seasons
literate historical drama centered on succession, political principle, and commanding performances
Becket
intense medieval power struggle driven by family betrayal and verbal combat
The Favourite
claustrophobic royal drama built around dynastic ambition, marital conflict, and theatrical dialogue
The Private Life of Henry VIII
historical court intrigue portraying rulers and succession through sharp, emotionally charged exchanges
Movie Details
- Director
- Anthony Harvey
- Release Date
- 1968-08-20
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (421)
Cast
- Peter O'Toole
- Katharine Hepburn
- Anthony Hopkins
- John Castle
- Nigel Terry
- Timothy Dalton
- Jane Merrow
- Nigel Stock
- O.Z. Whitehead
- Kenneth Ives
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Lion in Winter about?
- At a fractious Christmas court, an aging king and his ruthless family turn the question of succession into an incandescent battle of wit, loyalty, and betrayal.
- What is The Lion in Winter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Lion in Winter as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Lion in Winter violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Lion in Winter as mild.
- What did critics think of The Lion in Winter?
- Critics broadly praised the literate adaptation, exceptional performances, intelligent handling of ideas, and richly realized medieval setting, while some found its theatrical polish and heightened dialogue overly artificial.
- Which films are like The Lion in Winter?
- Films with a similar feel include A Man for All Seasons, Becket, The Favourite, and The Private Life of Henry VIII.
- How long is The Lion in Winter?
- The Lion in Winter runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Lion in Winter?
- In United States, The Lion in Winter streams on BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
