The Lion in Winter Overview:

The Lion in Winter (1968) was a Drama - Historical Film directed by Anthony Harvey and produced by Joseph E. Levine, Martin Poll and Jane C. Nusbaum.

The film was based on the play of the same name written by James Goldman performed at the Ambassador Theatre, NY from Mar 3, 1966 - May 21, 1966.

Academy Awards 1968 --- Ceremony Number 41 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorPeter O'TooleNominated
Best ActressKatharine HepburnWon
Best Costume DesignMargaret FurseNominated
Best DirectorAnthony HarveyNominated
Best Music - ScoringJohn BarryWon
Best PictureMartin Poll, ProducerNominated
Best WritingJames GoldmanWon
.

BlogHub Articles:

The Lion in Winter (1968)

By Beatrice on Jan 14, 2020 From Flickers in Time

The Lion in Winter Directed by Anthony Harvey Written by James Goldman from his play 1968/UK IMDb link Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant This movie holds up so damn well to a re-watch. The plot is kind of convoluted. ?It takes up the dual tasks of conveying some history of the Plantagenets of England ... Read full article


25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968)

on Dec 8, 2017 From Journeys in Classic Film

Originally published December 2nd, 2014 The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera a... Read full article


25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968)

on Dec 5, 2016 From Journeys in Classic Film

Originally published December 2nd, 2014 The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera a... Read full article


25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968)

on Dec 8, 2015 From Journeys in Classic Film

Originally published December 2nd, 2014 The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera a... Read full article


25 Days of Christmas: The Lion in Winter (1968)

on Dec 2, 2014 From Journeys in Classic Film

The Lion in Winter was an eleventh-hour addition to the list simply because I wanted one more Christmas movie I’ve never seen. ?I would say this is probably the strangest Christmas movie out there for its ability combine historical drama and soap opera antics within a Christmas package. ?Watch... Read full article


See all The Lion in Winter articles

Quotes from

Eleanor: Well, that's the way deals are made. We've got him if we want him. He'll sell us all, you know... but only if he thinks we think he won't.


Eleanor: What would you have me do? Give out? Give up? Give in?
Henry II: Give me a little peace.
Eleanor: A little? Why so modest? How about eternal peace? Now there's a thought.


Eleanor: [to Richard] Love me, little lamb, or leave me.


read more quotes from The Lion in Winter...

Facts about

One of four films which tied with another for the same acting Oscar. The others are Funny Girl (Barbra Streisand who tied with Katharine Hepburn) and _The Champ (1931)_ (Wallace Beery) which tied with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Fredric March).
Katharine Hepburn is the only movie star to win four Academy Awards (2009) for her leading roles in Morning Glory, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond.
Although Peter O'Toole plays the father of Anthony Hopkins, John Castle and Nigel Terry, he is only five, seven and thirteen years older than them respectively. Moreover, O'Toole is twenty-five years Katharine Hepburn's junior but plays her husband. It should be noted, however, that there was quite a substantial age gap between Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine - she was approximately eleven years his senior. At the time frame set for this film, Christmas 1183, Eleanor of Aquitaine, born 1122, would have been 61 years old, as played by Katherine Hepburn, who was born May 12, 1907, also 61 years old at the time of production (1968). Henry II, born March 5, 1133 was 50 years old during Christmas 1183, as played by Peter O'Toole, born August 2, 1932, only 35-36 at the time of production, approximately 15 years younger than the character he was playing.
read more facts about The Lion in Winter...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
book or play


See All Film Adaptations >>
Best Actress Oscar 1968






See more Best Actress awards>>
Also directed by Anthony Harvey



More about Anthony Harvey >>
Also produced by Joseph E. Levine




More about Joseph E. Levine >>
Also released in 1968




See All 1968 films >>
More "Based on Play" films



See All "Based on Play" films >>
More "Royalty" films



See All "Royalty" films >>