Sniping, caustic screen-adaptation of James Goldman's tempestuous play concerning the 12th century marriage battles between King Henry II of England and his wife, Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine, whom Henry has let out of prison after 10 years for the holidays. Medieval talk-fest becomes "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in robes and crowns! Some acerbic, amusing exchanges are nearly lost in the blustery den; director Anthony Harvey must love a good shouting match--he has Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole growling and spitting at each other for over two hours. As Eleanor, Hepburn won the Best Actress Oscar (in a tie) for her performance, but she does more for the part than it does for her. O'Toole (bearded and puffy, but still a few years shy of being the proper age for the King) keeps up with Hepburn and, at times, is her acting equal. Goldman's Oscar-winning screenplay is a needling tug-of-war with claws concealed but at the ready; very often, however, Harvey and his leads mistake all the ranting and swagger for high drama. Still, it's an effective acting piece, though one with brackish color and a dreary presentation. Three Oscars in all, including for John Barry's bold music score. **1/2 from ****
Review of The Lion in Winter
