STACK #250 August 2025

MOVIE FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn

The Academy Award-winning historical drama The Lion in Winter has been treated to a stunning new 4K Ultra HD remaster. Words Bob J

Timothy Dalton

Upon seeing 22-year-old Timothy Dalton in the film, legendary producer Albert R. Broccoli offered him the role of James Bond, with the intention However, Dalton turned down the offer, believing himself to be too young at the time to do the character justice. He felt that Bond required a certain maturity and life experience that he had not yet acquired. Years later, with his acting credentials firmly established, Dalton would finally step into 007’s shoes, making his debut as the iconic spy in The Living Daylights (1987). His portrayal brought a darker, more serious edge to the role, marking a notable shift from his predecessors. of having him replace the departing Sean Connery.

T he "Lion" in the title is the death of his eldest and favourite son Henry, becomes obsessed with choosing from his three remaining sons who should 12th Century King Henry II of England who, mourning the

favourite, the unscrupulous and cowardly John (played by Nigel Terry). The third son is the bland unloved Geoffrey (John Castle) who, when realising that neither parent likes him, schemes in the background determined to usurp both of his parents. Meanwhile, Richard, who would rather be fighting in the Crusades, is persuaded by his mother to entrust the service of the youthful King of France, Philip II (Timothy Dalton in his film debut) in an effort for Richard to take over the crown. But the fact that Dalton's character is the son of Louis VII, who Henry stole Eleanor from, is now uppermost in his mind and he subsequently plays the whole of

ascend to the English throne after his death. Henry summons

Fun Fact:

Katharine Hepburn and John Castle

them. Furthermore, he states that he will travel to Rome to demand an annulment of his marriage to Eleanor from the Pope so that he may marry his mistress and have new sons. But he is warned that he will never be able to release his treasonous sons from prison as they will kill any new legitimate heirs. This outstanding British history movie, directed by Anthony Harvey with a stellar group of classically trained actors, was deservedly nominated for seven Oscars and won three: 'Best Actress' for Katharine Hepburn, 'Best Screenplay' by James Golding, and 'Best Music Score' won by John Barry, whose storming musical score perfectly matched the essence of this intense story.

his sons and his estranged wife Eleanor of

Katharine Hepburn was actually descended from both the English

betrayal, venomous wit, and a riveting master class in acting. With stunning

Aquitaine (who has been under house arrest by the King for ten years) over the yuletide festival to decide on his successor. The realm of Henry II in 1183 consisted of Ireland, Wales, England, and across

sides of Eleanor of Aquitaine's family.

performances from the consummate actors Peter

O'Toole as the ageing Henry and Katharine Hepburn as the

the Plantagenet family off against each other. With all the conspiracies and multiple plots against him mounting, O'Toole's now furious character denounces all three sons as unsuitable heirs to the throne and imprisons

scheming Eleanor, both battle away projecting

the channel to northern France (due to his marriage to Eleanor). Subsequently, King Henry is also the Duke of Normandy, but owes his allegiance to the new young King of France Phillip II, who has also been invited to join the Plantagenet gathering. What follows is an intriguing tale of a dysfunctional family, infidelity,

which son should ascend the throne.

Eleanor is pivoting

her favourite, the proven warrior,

Richard (played with smouldering elegance by Anthony Hopkins) against Henry's

Behind the scenes cricket

36 AUGUST 2025

jbhifi.com.au