The Lion in Winter: it's Dynasty in the middle ages
Reel historyPeriod and historical filmsAnthony Harvey's 1968 Plantagenet family soap opera has savage catfights, drippy suitors, a fruity Peter O'Toole, even a proto-Brokeback Mountain moment. What more could one ask for?Director: Anthony Harvey
Entertainment grade: A-
History grade: B
The Lion in Winter takes place at Chinon, a French residence of English king Henry II, during Christmas 1183. Henry's heir, Henry the Young King, had died just months before. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was his prisoner.
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