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The Lion in Winter (2003 film)

The Lion in Winter is a 2003 American drama television film based on the 1966 play of the same name by James Goldman, and his screenplay for the 1968 film.[1][2] It starred Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close,[3] and was directed by Andrei Konchalovsky.

The film was first shown on December 26, 2003, in the United Kingdom, and premiered in the United States on Showtime on May 26, 2004. It was filmed on location at Spiš Castle in eastern Slovakia,[4] interiors were filmed in Budapest, Hungary.[5]

Andrew Howard, John Light, and Rafe Spall played the warring brothers. Jonathan Rhys Meyers played the king of France and Julia Vysotskaya, his sister and Henry's mistress, Princess Alais.[1][3]

Plot

In the year 1183, Henry II of England, who also rules large parts of France within his Angevin Empire, has invited his three surviving sons, his imprisoned and estranged wife Eleanor and the king of France, who has recently come of age, to join him at his Christmas court at Chinon Castle. His eldest son Henry has died and now the king must decide upon a new heir. King Henry favours his youngest John. Eleanor favours the oldest son Richard.[1] The film shows the intra-family disputes which take place over the next few days. At the end, everyone disperses with nothing resolved for the future.

Cast

Reception

Brian Lowry of Variety wrote that the film "is a long sit but nevertheless a rewarding one". Of Close's performance, he wrote that "her Eleanor manages to stand apart from Hepburn's".[6]

Awards and nominations

The Lion in Winter was nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning one award for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special. Glenn Close won a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.

Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie Robert Halmi Jr., Robert Halmi Sr., Wendy Neuss-Stewart, Martin Poll and Patrick Stewart, executive producers; Dyson Lovell, producer Nominated [7]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Glenn Close Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie Andrei Konchalovsky Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Consolata Boyle, Costume Designer; Rhona McGuirke, Costume Supervisor; Magdalen Rubalcava, Assistant Costume Designer Won
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Roger Hall, Production Designer; Janos Szabolcs, Art Director; Istvan Toth, Set Decorator Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie Martial Corneville, Hairstylist for Ms. Close; Silka Lisku, Hairstylist for Mr. Stewart; Klara Szinek, Hairstylist Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Robert Halmi Nominated [8]
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film Patrick Stewart Nominated
Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film Glenn Close Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film Glenn Close Won [9]

Other awards

Costume Designers Guild

  • Excellence in Costume Design for Television – Fantasy or Period (Nominated)

Producers Guild of America Awards[10]

  • Television Producer of the Year Award – Longform (Nominated)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Reviews: "The Lion in Winter" (1968 and 2003)". acrentropy.blogspot.ca. July 23, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  2. ^ "The Lion in Winter". CultureVulture. May 20, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Hischak, Thomas S. (2017). 100 Greatest American Plays. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442256064. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "PeriodDramas.com - The Lion in Winter". www.perioddramas.com. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  5. ^ "Report: Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart to film Lion in Winter | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Lowry, Brian (May 16, 2004). "Review: 'The Lion in Winter'". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "The Lion in Winter (Awards & Nominations)". Television Academy. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "The Lion in Winter". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "Advanced Search | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  10. ^ "Breaking News - Producers Guild Awards Honorees | TheFutonCritic.com". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved August 27, 2017.