

The Lion in Winter
What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
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.
TMDB
7.4/10
422 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $4M
- Box office
- $22.3M
- Language
- English
- infidelity
- france
- england
- queen
- castle
- based on play or musical
- richard the lionheart
- unfaithfulness
- mistress
- king
- spear
- homoeroticism
Top billed cast











Behind the camera
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
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Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- TheatricalPG30 Oct 1968
United KingdomGB
- PremiereLondon (Rated A)30 Dec 1968
- Physical1526 Mar 1986
- Physical1528 Aug 1998
- Physical152 Jun 2000
- Physical12Video8 Oct 2003
AustraliaAU
- Theatrical20 Aug 1968
- PremierePGBritish Film Festival13 Nov 2024
BrazilBR
- Theatricale 1211 Nov 1968
GermanyDE
- Theatrical1616 Oct 1970
GreeceGR
- TheatricalPG31 Dec 1968
HungaryHU
- Theatrical1624 Aug 1972
ItalyIT
- Theatrical17 Apr 1969
JapanJP
- TheatricalG4 Feb 1970
NetherlandsNL
- Theatrical1229 May 1969
- Physical12DVD10 Jun 2009
PortugalPT
- TheatricalM/1213 Oct 1969
SwedenSE
- Theatrical1118 Jan 1970
Frequently asked questions
The Lion in Winter was released on 20 August 1968.
Audience reviews
2- J9/10
John Chard
1/12/2020
I 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.…
- C8/10
CinemaSerf
6/21/2022
Katherine 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. Aided by a wonderful screenplay from James Goldman that is full of sarcasm, pith and some wonderfully effective (and brutal…
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