LION IN WINTER, THE (TV)
Summary
An adaptation of James Goldman's 1966 play which takes place during Christmastime 1183 at King Henry II's chateau in medieval France. The program opens in 1173 as Henry triumphs over a battle waged by his wife Eleanor and two of their sons, Richard and Geoffrey. Though Richard and Geoffrey want to continue the fight, Eleanor tells them to concede to Henry. John, the youngest son of Henry and Eleanor, watches his father and questions why Eleanor, Richard, and Geoffrey won't be killed for their actions. Henry explains that Eleanor will be taken to Salisbury Castle, England, and imprisoned for inciting civil war. Ten years later, Henry and John practice sword play, with Henry sure that his son will one day be a good king. He then speaks to his mistress Alais, wondering whether his empire will last. Henry informs Alais that he loves her, not Eleanor. Then, Henry tells one of his knights, William Marshall, that Eleanor is to be temporarily released so that she may attend Christmas court at Chinon, an event which will also be attended by Alais's half-brother, King Phillip II of France. He commands William to find Richard and Geoffrey so that they, too, will be at court. The next morning, Henry tells Alais that she will marry John, allowing Henry to keep the much-coveted Vexin land which serves as her dowry. However, Alais doesn't want to lose Henry. As the servants set up the Christmas decorations, Henry tells Alais that if he says they are "done" and that she will marry John, then she must. Soon, Richard has shown up, immediately arguing with John over who will be the next king. Then, Eleanor arrives, with Henry greeting her barge. As Phillip marches into the castle, Eleanor talks about the "greedy little trinity" of her sons, with one of them destined to be king while two of them must live with disappointment. Henry welcomes Phillip, before leading him to Eleanor, who warmly greets him and comments on how -- before his birth -- she was married to his father, Louis VII of France. Then, Henry and Phillip talk about the dowry for Alais, with Phillip feeling his sister must marry Richard to honor the treaty Henry made with Louis. However, Henry cockily refuses to follow the orders of "the boy," angering Phillip. Henry asks Phillip that they be civilized and make peace. Henry also claims that he will soon think of an "offer" for him. Once Phillip leaves, Richard claims that he will retain control of the Aquitane and take both Alais and the crown from the "walking pustule" John. John pouts, angering his father.
Eleanor then offers a "confession" to Henry: She doesn't much like their children, save Alais, the child she "raised but didn't bare." Eleanor further claims that she doesn't care about Henry's mistresses, including the now-deceased Rosamund. Afterward, Henry discusses how his love for Alais "galls" Eleanor. Then, Henry and Eleanor go "arm-in-arm" to dress for dinner. Eleanor assures Henry that he will lose the Vexin if Alais doesn't marry Richard. Then, Henry and Eleanor arrive for dinner, with Eleanor talking about how she truly cares who becomes king. While eating, Eleanor wonders if Henry ever loved her, and he claims that he didn't. The next day, Eleanor calls for Richard, asking for his love again. Richard is leery, thinking his mother is simply scheming. Then, John arrives to tell Eleanor that Henry has settled on the treaty terms. Henry and Alais march through the streets, before Henry tells Eleanor that he is soon to grant Phillip an audience. Henry claims that Richard is to get both Alais and the crown. Richard is stoic, John is distraught, and Eleanor wonders how Henry made his decision. Henry claims it will give him what he wants most: the kingdom staying intact. Later, John claims that he has "not lost yet" before storming off. Then, Geoffrey offers an alliance with Eleanor, claiming he will walk John into any trap she sets. Later, Eleanor goes to Richard, telling him her only desire is to see him king. Richard doesn't believe her until she reveals that she wants to win back the Aquitaine. Meanwhile, Geoffrey and Phillip play chess, with Geoffrey wondering how Phillip would feel if he became king. Geoffrey goes to John, offering his plan to join Phillip and wage war against Richard, Eleanor, and Henry. Later, Geoffrey tells a bathing Phillip that they are ready for battle. John agrees after Phillip claims they will win. Alais goes to Henry, furious that he promised her to Richard. Henry claims that he has not given up on John. Then, Henry tries to make a deal with Eleanor: She will give the Aquitaine to John and he will grant her freedom. Eleanor agrees if he will immediately stage a wedding for Richard and Alais. Henry calls her bluff, wondering if Eleanor lives to despise him. Wanting to prove his mettle, Henry shouts for a priest so that the wedding may take place. Alais feels that Henry will never give her up and that he's just "plotting." Then, Henry reveals his deal with Eleanor, causing a furious Richard to cancel the wedding. Henry and Phillip subsequently butt heads, with Henry now saying that Alais will never marry while he is alive. Soon, Richard tries to frighten Henry, who laughs off his son's threats of war. The daft John is happy that Henry is again proclaiming him the future king. Alais tells Henry that he shouldn't play with her feelings, even as Eleanor masochistically insists on watching Henry and Alais embrace.
The imprisoned Richard stagesa break-out with some assistance, but he is stopped by William. Meanwhile, Eleanor tries on some jewelry, talking to herself until Geoffrey visits. He reminisces about his third birthday, noting that he has no memories of his parents showing him warmth. Then, John arrives, followed by Richard, who reveals that they are now "boxed" up, prisoners of Henry. Richard claims he will be king, but Eleanor says it won't happen this year. Richard attacks John and considers killing him so that he can take the throne. Eleanor talks about how they are "barbarians" that "breed" war. Then, Eleanor discovers that Geoffrey and John have made a pact with Phillip against Henry, recognizing it as an opportunity for John to be disinherited. Eleanor tells Richard to go to Phillip to help put her plan into action, mentioning how Richard was once Phillip's "friend." Before Richard can get to Phillip, the French king is talking to Geoffrey, assuring him that they are still allies in Geoffrey's plan to rule England. Then, John reveals himself, having been hidden behind a tapestry in Phillip's quarters. Geoffrey then tells John that Phillip was going to betray him, making John unsure of everyone's motives. Geoffrey and John duck behind the tapestry when Richard enters, stating that he is Henry's prisoner. Richard claims that he must have soldiers. Phillip wonders why he would be better off with Richard as king as opposed to Geoffrey or John. Richard claims he can have the Vexin and Brittany back if Phillip helps him with soldiers, knights, and arms. Then, Richard discusses how and he and Phillip were once lovers, stating that he stopped writing after Phillip got married. Richard hides as Henry pays a visit to Phillip, wanting to move on with the negotiations. Henry offers a settlement of peace, but Phillip claims he can't possibly lose to Henry because he has the advantage of youth. Henry goes to leave, claiming he has now learned all of Phillip's strategies while revealing none of his own. Phillip tries to taunt Henry by revealing that Richard once romanced him, an act in which he engaged only to one day tell Henry and make him squirm. A devastated Richard reveals himself, claiming that Phillip is lying about never having loved him. Then, Richard wonders why Henry always pushed him away. Henry claims Richard only wanted his kingdom. With that, Geoffrey comes out from behind another tapestry, wondering why Henry never cared for him either. Henry claims he would never give the crown to Geoffrey. In revenge, Geoffrey pulls back the tapestry and reveals John. Henry soon realizes that John is as worthless as Richard and Geoffrey, disowning them all. As Phillip leaves Chinon, Eleanor surprises Alais while she carols. Alais asks Eleanor if she really poisoned Rosamund, or ever loved Henry. Eleanor wonders why Alais isn't happy that Henry is "keeping" her. Alais claims that for Christmas she would like to see Eleanor suffer and soon the two are crying in each other's arms.
Henry arrives, sending Alais away so he may talk to Eleanor. Henry wonders if it is true that Eleanor wants him back. Eleanor asks if Henry is really going to disinherit his sons. Then, Eleanor asks that Henry simply send her back to England and leave her alone, infuriating Henry. Henry reveals that he wants to annul his marriage to her and wed Alais to bear him new sons. Eleanor tearfully admits that she still "adores" him. Henry then talks about having loved Eleanor before offering a small kiss. Then, Eleanor claims she will not accept an annulment and that Henry must live without Alais. As Henry details how the pope will give him the annulment, Eleanor claims that everyone will band against him while he's in Rome. Henry sees her point, stating that he will lock up his sons. In desperation, Eleanor claims that she truly did have an affair with Henry's father, causing Henry to run from the room. Henry wakes up William and his men, telling them to arrest his sons. The next day, Eleanor awakens to see Henry preparing for his trip. Eleanor goes to the cellar to speak with her sons, bringing them knives to expedite their escape. Henry tells Alais of his plans, but Alais realizes what will happen to their child after Henry dies. Meanwhile, Eleanor and her sons plot their next move. Geoffrey thinks they should kill Henry when he visits them. Eleanor refuses, wanting to warn Henry. She claims that she wants Henry back but Geoffrey doesn't trust her. Then, Henry goes to the cellar, finding a dead guard before grabbing a sword and entering. There, Henry tells Richard that he was "the best" and that he loved John. Richard pulls a knife and soon all three brothers have brandished them against Henry. John implores Henry to take him back before Henry raises his sword to execute him. However, Henry backs off, instead sentencing Richard to death. Henry ultimately relents, telling his sons he is finished with them as they scramble from the cellar. Alais tries to console Henry, but he says he wants no women in his life and that he would have been a better conqueror without them. Henry claims he should have killed Eleanor years earlier. When Eleanor says she wants to die, Henry holds her. Eventually, Richard and Geoffrey set off while John stays behind. Finally, Henry sees Eleanor to her barge, telling her that she can come back for Easter court and that he hopes they never die. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: May 23, 2004 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 01:15:03
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:92034
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Theatre; Royal families - Great Britain
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV, 2004
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert Halmi … Executive Producer
- Martin Poll … Executive Producer
- Patrick Stewart … Executive Producer
- Wendy Neuss-Stewart … Executive Producer
- Dyson Lovell … Producer
- Paul Lowin … Co-Producer
- Vicki Letizia … Associate Producer
- Andrei Konchalovsky … Director
- James Goldman … Writer, Based on the play by
- Richard Hartley … Music by
- Glenn Close … Cast, Eleanor
- Patrick Stewart … Cast, Henry
- Andrew Howard … Cast, Richard
- John Light … Cast, Geoffrey
- Rafe Spall … Cast, John
- Julia Vysotsky … Cast, Alais
- Clive Wood … Cast, William Marshall
- Jonathan Rhys-Meyers … Cast, Phillip
- Antal Konrad … Cast, Toastmaster
- Soma Marko … Cast, Young John