The Lion in Winter
What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
1968 • 134 min • Drama · History
Synopsis
Christmas 1183, Angevin Empire: King Henry II plans to announce his successor to the throne. Jockeying for the crown, though, is complex. Henry has three sons and wants his boy Prince John to take over. Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor, believes their son Prince Richard should be king. As family and various schemers gather for the holiday, each tries to make the indecisive king choose their option.
Our family guide
Best from age 12- 100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
- 74 Audience · 415 · 49%
At Christmas in 1183, King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine spar over succession to the throne, each backing a different son. Their intense family drama unfolds with witty dialogue, power struggles, and betrayal among their three ambitious sons. The holiday gathering becomes a tense battle of wills and wits.
- Violence & peril
- 3/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 3/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 3/10
- Scary moments
- 2/10
Heads up
- Infidelity and marital conflict
- Frequent verbal sparring and insults
- Wine consumption throughout the film
- Themes of imprisonment and exile
What it models well
- The complexities of family dynamics
- Strategic thinking and negotiation
- Willingness to compromise
Talk about it after
- How family rivalries can escalate
- The historical context of royal power
- Defining loyalty and betrayal
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Lion in Winter. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
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Top billed cast
Director: Anthony Harvey • Crew: James Goldman
Trailers & clips
4K Restoration - Official Trailer
Trailer
The Lion in Winter Wins Adapted Screenplay: 1969 Oscars
The Lion in Winter Wins Original Score: 1969 Oscars
Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand Tie for Best Actress: 1969 Oscars
Reviewer notes
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersKatherine Hepburn is simply superb in this depiction of the truly dysfunctional relationship between Eleanor of Aquitaine, the estranged queen of England's King Henry II and her spouse. Peter O'Toole reprises his characterisation from "Becket" (1964), and together they spar and spat with aplomb.…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersI marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody. The Lion in Winter is directed by Anthony Harvey and adapted to screenplay from his own play by James Goldman. It stars Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Merrow, John Castle, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, Nigel Stock and Nigel Terry. Music is by John Barry and cinematography by Douglas Slocombe. 1183 A.D.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.4/10 (415)
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $4,000,000
- Box office
- $22,300,000
- IMDb
- tt0063227