The Lion in Winter (1968)

LION IN WINTER-Great Cast, Story, a Magical FIlm Experience
I never saw this great 5 star film when it first came out in 1968. In fact, I didn't even know of its existence until late in 1977 when a friend who is a professional film editor and collector brought a 16 mm print to my home in Connecticut and gave me a private screening.

We saw this film in the late evening and the magic of that night and the performances of the great cast were something to be remembered. The cast included the one and only Peter O'Toole, the great Katharine Hepburn, as well as Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Timothy Dalton. The musical score was also very beautiful as were the elaborate sets and costumes which all helped to transport me back in time and establish the wonderful period mood.

Astonishing
They don't make em like this anymore. Great cast, great screenplay, great characters, great story. How amazing to see a young Anthony Hopkins, way before he became the star he is today. Timothy Dalton must have peaked early, in his portrayal of King Philippe at the beginning of his reign. Hepburn and O'Toole, those giants of the acting world, play off each other with panache, vacillating between restraint and excess, love and hate. The sets are accurate and visually compelling (it's eye-opening to see kings and queens in the bleakness of the 1183 castle setting).
This movie positively crackles with passion, ambition, fear, and desire. Truly a tour de force, worth every Oscar.

Movie classic
I watched this again recently. What a classic! Riveting performances by O'Toole & Hepburn which capture the essence of Henry 11 and his times. Very difficult to fault in any way. Even the depiction of Chinon is remarkably accurate as far as I could tell & I know the place well.