Kathrine Hepburn had just lost her partner Spencer Tracy and upon reading the script for this film reportedly said, "Well, I might as well do it before I die." It rejuvenated her personally and professionally. It is difficult to imagine anyone else playing this role (and the later film and stage versions underlined that to me). Eleanor was actually a distant grandmother of Hepburn's (through John - as are all of Henry's traceable descendants). Yes, Alys unsuccessfully attempts to be the next Eleanor. In real life, Richard ended up not marrying Alys. She had such a bad reputation morally, that it was impossible. After Henry died a few years after the period depicted in the film, Richard ended up spending most of his reign on crusade, during which he married someone else. The Plantagenet dynasty spent almost none of their time in England, until John lost almost everything else (nearly including his English throne at a few points). It is thought that Henry was the first to actually have learned to speak at least a little English. The movie was a masterful depiction of inter-familial conflicts, or, as Eleanor says, "Well, what family doesn't have its ups and downs... now and then."
Peter O'Toole played Henry II twice: here and in "Beckett", also based on a play. He costars in the movie with Richard Burton as Beckett. On stage, they would switch parts from time to time. I prefer "Lion in Winter", but "Beckett" is also a great piece of work.
A Movie with the Biggest Number of Royals Dear hosts, thank you very much for pointing out some aspects of this movie that have escaped me when I watched it (and I did a few times). Now I need to re-watch it to see those aspects. I understand your review has a time limit, but I wish you had said more about other performances. It was a full-length feature debut for Anthony Hopkins and his first major role, and it was Timothy Dalton's film debut as well. What amazing debuts for future big stars! Comparable to those that Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Richard Widmark had in 1946 and 1947. A couple of minor notes. Your description reads: "Historical figure Eleanor of Aquitaine and her relationships with her husband, King Louis, and their sons." In fact, all Eleanor's sons were Henry II's, from Louis VII's she had only two daughters. Another small quibble is, not all the three daughters of King Lear were atrocious, only two of them were, and the third wasn't. P.S. Speaking of love, Philip and Richard also shared a romantic story. . .
In the film, yes. However historically, the two who were most likely to have had an attachment were Geoffrey and -Louis- Philip. When Geoffrey died a few years after the period depicted in the film, -Louis- Philip was unconsolable and could barely be restrained from throwing himself into Geof's open grave (not that it detracts from the film).
No. Richard was the son of Henry and Eleanor. He was their fourth child and third son. First son William died in childhood; young Henry, who is mentioned in the "marriage" scene, died at age 28, so Richard was now, as he roars, "next in line!" The play takes place in 1183, the year young Henry died. Eleanor and Louis had two daughters. After the annulment, Louis married Constance of Castile and had several children, including our Philip, and Margaret, who interestingly, was betrothed to young Henry.
John Castle as Geoffrey, doing an amazing job of masking the pain of neglect and disregard by being the true son of his mother. The moment BJ mentions at about 31:18 is part of a little montage of sorts which perfectly encapsulate what Henry's going to be up against: William Marshall goes to Richard, Geoffrey and Eleanor to inform them of the Chinon event. Richard is deeply concentrated in his act of violence and has to be recalled by Marshall. Geoffrey smiles, not even looking at Marshall, and says something to the effect of "father wants to see me." Eleanor, not even looking up from her embroidery, says, before Marshall has much of a chance at anything: "there's to be a Christmas court."
Alais is not a handmaiden: she is a princess, the daughter of Louis and Constance of Castile and sister of Philip. Her marital status is one of the reasons for Philip's visit to Chinon. She was betrothed to Richard and sent to England as Henry's ward. Whether she was Henry's mistress in reality is a question. It's possible but not definite. After Henry's death, Richard broke off the betrothal and arranged to marry Berengaria of Navarre. Alais married William IV Talvas, Count of Ponthieu.
She gave them the knives as weapons to help them escape. It's Richard, I believe, who broaches the idea of killing Henry. She's repulsed at the idea, and Richard mocks her earlier nickname for him, by saying "here's your little lamb, come smother him with kisses."
In "King Lear" two out of three daughters are diabolical; Cordelia is not. She lacks tact and pays for that at the start, but she is the only honest daughter. BJ needs to see "King Lear". Some powerful stuff in there, and Edmund is a fascinating character.
I've been in Chinon! The castle is a ruin (I believe the shooting location was Arles but won't swear to it). I went there because Chinon is where Joan of Arc first met the Dauphin. I stood in what remains of the keep, and let my imagination play around, while a sweet little kitten followed me all over the site and almost tempted me to take it back to the US with me.
