Anthony Hopkins remembers The lion in winter

[@Anna-Jade]

Once in a while, a film is made that is absolutely flawless on every level, from the script, to the dialogue, to the actors and the photography. "The Lion In Winter" is one such film. The pairing of O'Toole and Hepburn as King Henry The Second and Elinor of Aquitaine was a stroke of genius. Every single scene is electrifying. It is my favourite film and I usually watch it at least twice a year. I honestly do not think that a film of this calibre could be made today. It is superb.

[@craven5328]

Just rewatching it now, and every time I do, I think: Yes, quite possibly the best perforamces I'll ever see.

[@grai]

"don't act you don't have to - leave that to me - I act all over the place" The Great Kate

[@donna25871]

I finally got the chance to see this brilliant film on the big screen a couple of months ago.

[@roo7227]

"Hush, dear, mother's fighting".. lol.. That line always sneaks up on me..

[@leftcoaster67]

Always be wary of the person who says they are fighting, but keeps their cool and is calm and collected.

[@elenadent2230]

Lion in Winter serves to remind people that no matter how horrible your 'home for the holidays' family squabbles are... it could be worse. MUCH worse... And a splendid movie.

[@GroovyShelly]

One of the greatest movies ever. O'Toole and Hepburn at their greatest. Hopkins - what a debut!!!

[@edhoughton2609]

Absolutely! You have it correctly! And dont forget also this was Timothy Dalton's and also Nigel Terry's debut movies. Add in Katherine Hepburn's third Oscar (Peter O'Toole - best shouter in movie history was nominated for an Oscar) how could this movie fail?

[@1987MartinT]

So many incredible actors in one movie. Anthony Hopkins, Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Timothy Dalton, John Castle, Terry Nigel, Nigel Stock, etc.

[@alexG106]

Anthony Hopkins is one of the few heirs of that golden age of actors, that is worthy of his inheritance. A class act, excellent actor, down to earth, a treasure. Lion in Winter was his debut and boy what a debut! To be pitted against titans like Hepburn and O'Toole, while starting out with other extremely good actors like John Castle and Timothy Dalton. Great film, pure entertainment carried by it's wonderful cast and score.

[@ginnyhogan6386]

I still watch this movie….and also “Becket, ” over and over again! Amazing movies!

[@LoneNutter1]

John: "Poor John. Who says poor John? Don't everybody sob at once! My God, if I went up in flames there's not a living soul who'd pee on me to put the fire out!" Richard: "Let's strike a flint and see."

[@elizabeths4371]

The dialogue throughout the Lion in Winter was Brilliant: from from the very first line spoken and right up to THE END

[@chrisapfelbach3438]

My all-time favorite Anthony Hopkins moment is in one of his scenes with Richard: "You've had four sons. Who do you claim? Not Henry, not my buried brother. Not that monument to muck, that epic idiot. Why him? Why always him and never me?" "He was the eldest. He came first." "Christ, Henry, is that all?" "You went with Eleanor." "You never called me! You never said my name! I'd have walked, I'd have crawled, I'd have done anything!" So much feeling in just three lines. All of it, his despair at never finding love in his parents, his sense of still being overshadowed by his dead brother, his hope that even now he could find validation at last...chilling.

[@mattcollins4646]

Definitely a favorite line as well!

[@br4524]

I am a descendant of some of the people they play in the film ,one of them John and I cringe in a delicious sort of way watching that scene. This is one of my favorite films. Like watching in the window of time of my family

[@gargoyleb]

I received this movie as a gift for Christmas about twenty years ago. Every time I watch it, I see some subtle nuance or some different meaning in the lines. It will forever be one of my most favorite films.

[@myvisionownsme]

Thank you, Mr. Hopkins. Hepburn and O'Toole were indeed jewels. There was an unmistakable honesty in their characters. I loved it. Their passion, their hatred, their regrets, their power with words...oh baby, oh baby...they didn't have to act; they were their characters.

[@sarcasticsugar4466]

An awesome actor remembers an awesome movie that featured other awesome actors.

[@kerryincolumbus]

Pretty awesome, ain't it?

[@JRRLewis]

​@@degsbabe You need to see more of Hopkins' work, if you think that's in any way actually true. He puts in a tremendously moving, almost too realistic performance in the current film he's in, The Father (6 Oscar nominations, including one for him), as a man with Alzheimer's. His best, most nuanced performance for my money was in The Remains of the Day (8 Oscar nominations, including one for him, and a BAFTA win for him). Shadowlands (2 Oscar nominations and a BAFTA nomination for him) was also a great little film with a genuinely excellent performance from him. The Elephant Man (8 Oscar nominations) was the best of his pre-stardom films, even better than The Lion in Winter, which I also love. Howards End (9 Oscar nominations), The Silence of the Lambs (swept the Oscars) The World's Fastest Indian, The Edge, Titus (not a film for everyone's tastes), Nixon (also not for everyone), and Fracture and a few others were also very good ones he did. He's easily one of the best actors out there.

[@easyenetwork2023]

Young Timothy Dalton, aka future James Bond.

[@infonut]

Every sentence of this story is biting. A masterpiece.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……love this film to bits, even since I first saw it on the big screen in 1968! The music is monumental! The acting is unsurpassed, in every way. My fave scene, is when they’re at the pig pen, & P Geoffrey says his ‘I know’ speech. I still crack-up every time I hear it! There’re so MANY great script snippets’ in it………

[@WallsofFameAustralia]

Nobody would pee on me if I was on fire. "Let us strike a flint and see" Superb

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……love it!

[@lindalindaglearlear]

I adore Anthony Hopkins and how wonderful he recalls this wonderful Film !

[@JudgeJulieLit]

For a first film performance--his first acting job--Anthony Hopkins was superb, sensational as Richard the Lion Hearted. The acting by all was highly emotionally charged and optimally dramatic (stagey), yet naturalistic, credible, verisimilitudinous. A great play--great dialogue--emoted by the best possible cast.

[@easyenetwork2023]

I believe those actors were all classic stage performers. Anthony is a Shakespearean trained stage actor.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

@@easyenetwork2023………that is why the late, great US actor, Charlton Heston, always returned to the stage, when he could, between films’. He said it kept him ‘grounded’………

[@wendycarey8959]

I am 73 years old. I first saw this movie in 1968 when I was 17. I can still remember the impact that it had on me. Extraordinary film, it was anchored by two true greats of the cinema; but every performance - whether of the old guard like Nigel Stock or the amazing crop of new actors it introduced - Hopkins, Dalton, Castle, Terry - rose to the heights required to match them.

[@Sovairu]

One of Hopkins' lines which *I* like is: "You're so deceitful you wouldn't ask for water when you're thirsty; we could tangle spiders in the webs you weave." He said that to Hepburn's Eleanor early in the film when she was plotting to usurp the kingdom from John, and had only Richard alone near a parapet. I also appreciate when Geoffrey and Eleanor are speaking very early in the film, and Geoffrey, upset with the scenario at the time, told her simply, "Rot." I mean, I also really did like Hopkins' portrayal of prince Richard, and the whole movie was just one extravagant political move after another; it was "Game of Thrones" before anyone ever even considered how that kind of story might be received. Also, who could forget: "I'd hang you from the nipples, but you'd shock the children"!? The drama was delicious! It's such a good movie!

[@anthonyweinersnose2583]

Not one syllable of dialogue is frivolous in this movie.

[@bwsmyhero]

@@anthonyweinersnose2583, absolutely. It’s probably the best dialogue I’ve ever heard in a movie, so good that it becomes the action, in a film that depends almost entirely upon the words spoken by those excellent actors. I have seen it so many times I can quote entire scenes verbatim, yet I don’t tire of watching it. I don’t understand why none of the lines from the movie have become classic, oft-quoted ones, like, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” or “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Go figure.

[@bwsmyhero]

Yep, good lines. My favorite Hopkins line in the movie is, “I never heard a corpse ask how it got so cold” in response to Hepburn saying, “But those were battles, not a knife behind the door!” Good stuff!

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

Where do you suppose the guy got the idea of the game of Thrones FROM ?. EVERYONE in the ( Western ) world watched this movie when it came out.

[@AngelEditz123]

I like how this reminds us that Hopkins learnt with the great ones and carries their legacy until today.

[@tsoul1333]

I can't help but think when I'm watching him, when his time comes he will be greatly missed. that's a man who left a mark on the life of others.

[@AnneDougherty]

The original dysfunctional family at Christmas movie. It's a yearly ritual in our house.

[@simonfrederiksen104]

I watch it every year at Christmas too.

[@beccastell6439]

I never thought of that! We always watch ''How To Steal A Million'' another O' Toole classic!

[@frederickrasenberger1000]

I always say exactly the same thing about it. Everyone can relate LOL

[@Kotka67]

Be thankful your family wants to have a get together, no matter how dysfunctional...

[@iggypopisgod9]

i thought my family was f up....

[@lorrainechandler7864]

" I am a constant soldier,a sometime poet and I will be king".

[@degsbabe]

Great line. The one I love is....' Christ Henry. Is that all ? You never called my name! I'd have walked I'd have crawled I'd have done anything......' Lament to a disappointed father. Still relevant.

[@davidweihe6052]

@@michaelgove9349It leaves out that he was not going to be king, but merely Duke of Aquitaine when Eleanor passed on, then his older brother Henry The Young King died of dysentery and moved him up the Line Of Succession. And Eleanor outlived him, so he never got to directly rule his favorite realm, just Normandy and England.

[@samanshafiezadeh7155]

Anthony is a humble ,honest decent actor not like many actors who are pompous and egocentric .I can not remember of any other actors who has impressed me with every single role they play like Anthony .

[@shakespeareinlove82]

"Why did I have to have such clever children!"...........Snarky at its best!

[@agent458]

This is such an important work. They don't make 'em like this anymore!

[@degsbabe]

Great interview about a great film. And how refreshing to hear an actor state how lucky he is and has been. Nor like some of the 'legend in their own minds' jump up a - holes.

[@jekorb]

Thank you for this clip. It's an extraordinary film filled with extraordinary actors. Anthony Hopkins has been one of my favorites ever since!

[@gordonm7038]

When movies had BALLS BALLS BALLS! ROCK ON!

[@margaretborsbey1193]

anthony hopkins seems such a humble man.

[@glennfromthebronx]

....he seems to be "in the moment" on nearly evry talk show I've seen him on. The Craig Ferguson American LATE LATE SHOW....friggin' hilarious.

[@timirish2563]

Dear Hopkins--the most brilliant actor left... The Lion in Winter remains my own favorite Christmas movie. When I was young, I thought the world of the powerful was like Camelot--golden, magical and high-minded. Having grown up (somewhat) I know it is more like Lion in Winter--under the robes of state are dirty rags--beneath the crowns lives a louse or two. The gauntlets conceal filthy fingernails. The human race is vile enough without kings or queens...Watch this movie often--and take notes.

[@connorjones100]

Timothy Dalton was such a handsome man!

[@simonfrederiksen104]

What is he now? Chopped liver?

[@Amahl1971]

Compared to then? Yes.

[@archer1949]

“A ‘little’ peace? Why so modest? Why not eternal peace? Now there’s a thought......”

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……loved that! There’re just so MANY gems’ in this script………

Isn't that so true: Actors are the most luckiest people on earth to have a job where all you do is pretend to be someone else. If you are any good, you get paid ridiculous amounts of money, get to travel, etc. I love Anthony Hopkins!

[@hannahestes4171]

Anthony Hopkins as Richard the Lionheart definitely brought the Shakespearean spirit to the screen along with his co-actors. I don't think anyone was miscast in this film at all, it's one of those rare ones with perfect acting. Richard clearly wants to be formidable and outstanding as Henry is, but he's also struggling and HATES that he's struggling.

[@timothydavis3154]

A superb interview from easily one of the all-time greats.

[@barbhanson8196]

"What families don't have their ups and downs"

[@beccastell6439]

I love actors who realise that the point of acting is that you get paid doing what you love and it is FUN.

[@harmanx.]

They realize it when they aren't waiting tables, anyway!

[@joannebailey8277]

my favorite movie ever...best dialogue

[@BFMachine]

It's great to see Anthony reminiscing with such enthusiasm. I've seen other interviews where he just doesn't look interested at all.

[@beccastell6439]

Fascinated to read an article saying he is autistic. It figures but we rarely think of actors as capable of that very withdrawn style some autistic people have.

[@glennfromthebronx]

@@beccastell6439 interesting. hadn't heard it...I was a special ed. teacher for 20+ years....including MANY autistic: kids and adults...aged 3 to age 90. kinda makes sense....his language and eye contact.

[@majoroz4876]

I am an old guy........my three kids are in their 50's. We each, seperately, watch this movie at ltast 3 or 4 times a year. EVERY Englishe speaker has a DUTY to see it often, to maintain respect for and and continuation of the spread of the tongue.

[@bcp457]

I love this movie so much I got the script years ago. Magnificent.

[@glvdtxn]

Bucketstein No. The screenplay is an adaptation. The first few scenes are not in the play, but they incorporate lines from it.

[@bcp457]

glvdtxn Ah...true...it is the play I have. Thank you.

[@gerardmackay8909]

One of the very best lines comes from Geoffrey to John when the latter is boasting he is their father’s favourite and will succeed him ‘If you’ve got the makings of a king then there’s hope for every ape in Africa’

[@UGotSerbed]

Catherine Hepburn was right. This man oozes charisma. Truly one of the greatest.

[@aloknarain139]

Thanks for the video, bucketstein., for the memorable interview of Anthony Hopkins and the evergreen scenes from O'Toole 's and Hepburn ' s movie. The scenes and dialogues are etched in my mind never to be erased. Such a masterpiece of a movie it was.

[@roseannsinclair2798]

A very special film - to be sure! A very special man who shines above the rest!

[@jeanettesmith765]

Anthony Hopkins was wonderful in his first film!

[@megsmith6246]

"Henry, I have a confession...I don't much like our children."

[@kalmia01]

Anthony Hopkins has such a lovely sweet smile, for a cannibal🤭

[@kiwibuddy2]

A little peace? Why be so modest. How about eternal peace?

[@elizabeths4371]

I LOVE that line!

[@darbyheavey406]

Pure Entertainment that doesn’t insult your intelligence. The entire Marvel universe can’t compare to this.

[@nickyoude2694]

Ironically starring Odin himself.

[@alanhandleman6513]

I love the film, and I love this interview. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. It has all the qualities of a great film.

[@outinsider]

"Departure is a simple thing you put the left foot down before the right." " Mother!" "Hush dear, mother's fighting"

[@fannyestherariaspalacio648]

Wonderful actor fof md i love him

[@panathatube]

I still remember and relish the scene when Peter O Tools' character (Henry) tries to kills Anthony Hopkin's character (Richard)... what tour de force performances!

[@GodBlessGnrlPatton]

Good By Great Man. Thank you for your work.

[@iamremmie]

"wow, they actually pay me to do this" lol hey its truely awesome (:

[@CeeLiberty]

As good as Cliff Robertson was as Charly I believe this Oscar should have been given to O'Toole. What a script! Well deserving of an Oscar!

[@cedrichunter9759]

Nope! the best line from Hepburn was. Thank god, I was beginning to think this wouldn't hurt

[@karllieck9064]

"What a tragedy you are",had me rolling as well.

[@darrylwiggins1156]

I'm going to say this here and anywhere else i can, the lion in winter is hands down one of THE best historical dramatic movies ever made.There,i can sleep tonight.

[@EtzEchad]

I need to watch this again. What a great movie!

[@Xeria]

love the film and him

[@SophyaAgain]

@OzzyPatriot Agree. I'm always digging some forgotten old movies and I've found so many treasures!!

[@keyopronin4134]

Damn, I love that quote "I'm a constant soldier a sometime & I will be King".

[@tomservo75]

I had to watch this JUST to see the young Anthony Hopkins... ok so the story is nice too.

[@robinrush6190]

I bought this movie JUST to see a young Timothy Dalton! But I did enjoy seeing Anthony Hopkins, as well- he’s fantastic:-)

[@rathertiredofthemess2841]

“I could peel you like a grape and god himself would call it justice!” “There will be pork in the treetops come morning!”

[@Zknwlf]

Interesting that this is a first for Hopkins and Dalton who went on to long and successful careers. How is it Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting who did superb jobs at much younger ages disappeared?

[@jbill2986]

I remember doing a research/report paper on Katharine Hepburn and she was a wild one. She caused a controversy by wearing pants.

[@McDuffWells]

This is such a great film to watch. Good grief, though! I bought the screen play and it's very difficult to read. The director and the actors were superb as was/is the writing in its performance. Hopkins sounded a bit like Richard Burton in places. And that comment about this being similar to Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolfe? I thought the same thing when reading the script. I'm looking forward to seeing this in theater production sometime in mid Sept. May it be just as compelling live.

[@poetcomic1]

She dodged some weak roles later on but Long Days Journey Into Night and this film sealed her acting credentials late in life.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Peter O'Toole is the greatest actor of the 20th century and probably of this century as well. I'm a bit surprised he doesn't mention Dalton. He was mesmerizing.

[@mattshields3934]

this is actually taken from the 25th anniversary edition laserdisc version because of the press play icon on the bottom right of the screen for the first 2 seconds but in my copy, the interview was terribly glitched, along with the theatrical trailer.

[@WesCoastPiano]

This is the ultimate dysfunctional family film. Also a horror movie, just listen to that score. Masterpiece.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

………most definitely! The soundtrack is superb! I was raised with Latin, so love hearing it………

[@cuchulain55]

Nigel terry as John and i cat remeber who played Geoffery.

[@darkavengermanowar]

Nigel Terry and John Castle were the other two brothers. Nigel was John and John was Geoffrey.

[@christophe1374]

wonderfull

[@louchat333]

This is one of my favorite movies. Almost anything with Katherine Hepburn is a favorite. But this was a stellar cast.

[@utena13]

I never seen this movie "lion in winter" but anthony certainly sound like he did a great job doing the movie!

[@RobertCousland]

It is one of my all-time favorites. Especially at this time of year. I highly recommend it.

[@utena13]

thank you.

[@RobertCousland]

You are very welcome.

[@LBrilliante]

don't know if you're still around but you OWE it to yourself to see this movie. very enjoyable and very entertaining..if you have cable or satellite and you have TCM on it they show this movie many times a year and certainly will be getting to it in the next month or so. Did you notice in the scene where Peter O'Toole greets the young prince that the young prince is Timothy Dalton? Here a mere year or two before he first auditioned for James Bond during Connery's first time quitting the role.

[@utena13]

no i didn't know that! wow timothy dalton was so young!

[@wilsonyu4493]

I just saw this movie and I didn't recognized him until I saw his name in end credit.

[@terrywade3696]

This movie, the best acting I’ve ever seen! One of the best scenes is when King Henry II Plantagenet (Peter O’Toole) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katherine Hepburn) with all of their scheming and political posturing have a particularly brutal argument and after this gut wrenching fight she says, “What family doesn’t have their difficulties?” Brilliant! It was such an understatement, it was comical. The writing was superb. This couple are locked into a power struggle and butcher each other with their tongues, stabbing at each other’s most vulnerable places with such precision that you’d think they actually used swords! It leaves them wounded, bleeding and exhausted and yet their excruciating pain comes from their constant ability to adore each other and yet don’t know how to give up their power to just love. It’s all the destructive things that couples shouldn’t do if they want to save their marriage but in a movie!

[@aagold76]

O'Toole deserved the Oscar- Cliff Robertson's 'Charlie' doesn't hold up.

[@glennfromthebronx]

perhaps. bur Robertson "survived" playing a retarded man in a major movie. different times. (if possible, try not to elevate someone/anyone you "like"...by tearing down someone/anyone else. at base, ...it's tacky). O'Toole was excellent. Glad he eventually won his honorary OSCAR. More than deserved it.

[@nickyoude2694]

Funny story about that, Peter O'Toole was in the running to portray Fagin in Oliver! I mention this because Ron Moody also got Oscar nominated for said role.

[@lewisbarnich5251]

THIS is my family's Christmas movie.

[@michaelordona9419]

One of my all-time favorite films.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

And at one point, Katherine-Eleanor's lines thrown at her husband Peter-Henry 2 could almost have been lifted (and were emoted exactly like) her character of Spencer Tracy's wife in her film a year earlier, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. That is, she as an actress seems to deploy some standard boilerplate schtick in her line delivery. But (and here I agree with Anthony Hopkins) Peter O'Toole in this film seemed uniquely to wholly become Henry--to imagine and express Henry's rages & frustrations.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Dalton was amazing

[@michaelminch5490]

His first film and he's opposite Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. I mean, Jeezus....

[@chaya9205]

WHERE can I find this original movie? I dom't want the remake--I want to watch the original!!

[@pauldockree9915]

1st line blues. Come for me! (first lines] Henry II: [yelling to his sword fight opponent] Come for me!

[@maryeliason1504]

Exceptional film. Everyone fantastic. I own it. Please, see it. He was very good. Sad.

[@pikppa]

Sir Hopkins need to play King Richard again

[@overcomerbtboj]

Great movie- its been a while since i’ve seen it- this is the royal family that put the “fun” in dysfunctional 😂

[@apotter8888]

Geez. And our family was worried about when dad died, who was going to get the gold coins?

[@eriklindhurst5793]

If you have never seen this movie, do yourself a favor and watch it soon.

[@46metube]

Really it was Burton. But he would have been to dominant.

[@ePumma]

its SR 👈💪

[@JW-do2wc]

Fun fact the person who wrote this story is an American playwright.

[@ATOK_]

It's kind of weird that O'Toole was only 5 years older than Hopkins

[@Xeria]

agreed

[@IMmephiles]

Yes, but he means the names of the actors :p