The Lion in Winter

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About the film

royal family heir to the throne love-hate relationship envy king of england historical drama succession british monarchy 12th century

The Lion in Winter

Release Date: December 26, 2003

Year	:	2003
Slogan	:	«All of Britain and half of France were his kingdom. But there was one thing Henry II would never control . . . His Family.»
Genres	:	Drama, History, TV Movie, Romance
Production Companies	:	Flying Freehold Productions, HCC Happy Crew Company, Hallmark Entertainment, Matt IV, Showtime Networks
Director	:	Andrei Konchalovsky
Producers	:	Patrick Stewart, Joyce Gallie, Sally Osoba, Dyson Lovell, Paul Lowin, Robert Halmi Sr., Robert Halmi Jr., Martin Poll, Wendy Neuss, Bettina Lyster, Vicki Letizia
Writers	:	James Goldman
RunTime	:	167 mins.

King Henry II (Patrick Stewart) keeps his wife, Eleanor (Glenn Close) locked away in the towers because of her frequent attempts to overthrow him. With Eleanor out of the way he can have his dalliances with his young mistress (Yuliya Vysotskaya). Needless to say the queen is not pleased, although she still has affection for the king. Working through her sons, she plots the king's demise and the rise of her second and preferred son, Richard (Andrew Howard), to the throne. The youngest son, John (Rafe Spall), an overweight buffoon and the only son holding his father's affection is the king's choice after the death of his first son, young Henry. But John is also overly eager for power and is willing to plot his father's demise with middle brother, Geoffrey (John Light) and the young king of France, Phillip (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Geoffrey, of course sees his younger brother's weakness and sees that route as his path to power. Obviously political and court intrigue ensues