The Lion in Winter
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The Lion in Winter

Best from age 12 · PG · 1968 · 134 min

The Lion in Winter

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.

What's in it

0 = none · 10 = intense

Violence & peril

Moderate

3/10

Language

Mild

2/10

Drinking, drugs & smoking

Moderate

3/10

Romance & sensuality

Moderate

3/10

Scary moments

Mild

2/10

Heads up

  • Infidelity and marital conflict
  • Frequent verbal sparring and insults
  • Wine consumption throughout the film
  • Themes of imprisonment and exile

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
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Cast & crew

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