What a desolation - "The Lion in Winter" - Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn's famous monologue from The Lion in Winter.

[@davidbondy6599]

"Mother's tired. Come stick pins tomorrow morning; I'll be more responsive."

[@graceskerp]

An entire semester in acting school could focus on the performances in that film. They were crafted like a fine Swiss watch.

[@michaellopez2070]

The script couldn’t be done again because of its it’s commentary on homosexuality, but it really let them spread their wings. Hepburn, O’toole, and Hopkins really are preeminent actors or their respective generations. I can’t think of any other movies that have put such a caliber of actors together with a script to rise to and push their level.

[@maryscottoconnor1203]

“Of course he has a knife, he always has a knife. We all have knives. It’s 1183 and we’re barbarians...” One of the greatest lines ever written.

[@SeanMcGuire92]

Maryscott OConnor I’m playing Prince John (who in real life is my 26th great-grandfather) in a production of this play right now and this is one of my favorite lines because everyone has a knife on them EXCEPT me, so I just look down at my belt where a knife should be and then my empty hands before looking up in panic because “oh god, EVERYONE has a knife except for me, I’m defenseless” 😂 It’s just such a fun moment where Eleanor slaps John with her words and points out how much of an idiot and a wimp he is.

[@KajiXD]

It's a great line but I prefer the "WE ARE WAR!..." part

[@karllieck9064]

It's 2020. And we're still barbarians.

[@lindseyraymond2062]

How clear we make it! Oh my piglets, we are the origins of war.

[@davidstevenson404]

@@karllieck9064 excellent!

[@richardsiciliano7117]

I don't think I've seen the older Katharine with her hair down. Wow, she was still incredibly beautiful.

[@josephsf2452]

she was only 61 when she made this

[@emmasenofieni8607]

I think this Is the best acting I’ve ever seen

[@lindseyraymond2062]

Not only the best acting but the best screenplay ever written

[@karllieck9064]

Indeed. But don't forget Elizabeth Taylor in Virginia Wolf. Talk about raw.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

@@lindseyraymond2062 Really? Isn't it too on-the-nose?

[@gpg9516]

@@karllieck9064Her best acting in a long career.

[@darrylwiggins1156]

Damn, Catherine's proformance was powerful and geniunely heartfelt.This is the good stuff you rarely see today.

[@roguejester4986]

Her name is spelled with a "K".

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Wrong, there are many great actors and performances today as well. If you don't like hollywood, try European films/series.

[@trashpanda9615]

“ I’d hang you from the nipples but it would shock the children” Most unexpected hysterical line I’ve ever heard in a classic film

[@bigbob1699]

I would pay good money to see that !

[@adriannespring8598]

It's true!!! She was truly an epic woman as was Eleanor.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

@@bigbob1699 Creep

[@user-pk1gp7iy2o]

This is my favourite film. Every scene is electrifying. The pairing of O'Toole and Hepburn was a stroke of genius. The relationship between King Henry the 2nd of England and his Queen, Elinor of Aquitaine, is the ultimate love-hate relationship. One moment they want to kill each other and the next moment they are speaking gently and lovingly to one another. No matter what happens, they can never quite let each other go.

[@sharrigarvin3348]

Could she be more Beautiful in this scene? Stunning !

[@jaybird74]

She’s stunning. Truthfully when she gazes upon her reflection at the beginning of her dialogue, she is every woman Ive ever wanted to dare love or court, and she’s every woman that will cause my demise. She is the beauty and beast combined. She is the sunset whose every skyward hue provides comfort yet mischief. She is the calm of the deep night, its heavy darkness providing respite while crickets chirp, cicadas hum and little frogs croak in a combined anthem that reminds me in gentle melodies and comforting rhythms of the rich history of the earth my ancestors sat upon. Scot, Irish, Cherokee, Creek, - poor in monetary wealth, rich in the respect of the earth from whence we came. My kin are ancient - our blood and lineage stretch across eras of time. Yet some things stay the same. Family - respect for family, respect for life, being of aid and of service to others.

[@65wiseman]

Probably my favorite Hepburn scene - made even more memorable by having her eternal hair bun unfastened.

[@robertaferugheli4114]

She was totally amazing. What a talent.

[@fiefenduddch]

"...we are the killers... we breed wars..." so sad, but true! Human beings do not learn... Brilliant Katharine, brilliant movie ...in many ways!

[@jimmyl324]

Spectacular performance

[@manco828]

Best Christmas movie ever!

[@user-pk1gp7iy2o]

Agree

[@jackbuckley7816]

Katharine's stimulative powers still very much in evidence here. Henry must've been mad to ignore & keep her imprisoned year after year. I think she surprised, amazed, & delighted all with this scene!

[@jaybird74]

Absolutely gorgeous lady in this scene. Stunningly beautiful.

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

I think it's this scene that locked in the Oscar win for Kate!

[@teslagirl1]

Cast even one role differently and this masterpiece would seem diminished by it.

[@paulhunter6742]

There was a remake of Lion in Winter in late 1990s. Patrick Stewart and Meryl Streath. No comparison this version always be Superior.

[@paulhunter6742]

What did you think of Patrick Stewart and Glenda Close performance in remake Lion in Winter 1980s?

[@BTURNER1961]

Hepburn's masterwork, and that is saying a lot given her resume. Must have been hard for everyone else from cameraman to fellow actor, to concentrate on doing their own jobs well. I would have lost my focus and to just stared and listened.

[@davidstevenson404]

They ALL got nominated--I'd think, because of HER!

[@jaccusefashion]

But that's what elevates the film. She gives them a performance to respond to. In order to be a great actor you need to listen. She told Anthony Hopkins that he didn't need to do much other than RELAX!

[@jaccusefashion]

​@@davidstevenson404yep....she made the film a massive work of art......I always watch it late on Xmas eve just as Christmas day is dawning 😂

[@jaybird74]

How absolutely gorgeous she appears in this scene. ‘I’d hang you from the nipples, but you’d shock the children’. Her delivery of dialogue is as liquid mercury, beautifully mobile and never confined. This role is her triumph!!!

[@alaskanprincess9386]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Hoping I can find a clip of her 'and I'm not exaggerating about the sheep' scene

[@sthephanblomer9469]

This rembermer me my xmas with my family. Such a pleaseant environment. (I'm not the only one who think this, let's be honest lol). PD: Mrs. Hepburn is MARVELOUS here.

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

Was she EVER not marvelous, is my question?

[@JCResDoc94]

*of course he does! we all have knives!* _JC

[@jaccusefashion]

Shes playing my 30x Great Grandmother. Both parents are descended from John of Gaunt who was Edward IIIs son. I Love her in this. Its her best performance alongside "Long Days Journey into Night" (1962)

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

She (Katherine) was also related to Eleanor!

[@jaccusefashion]

@@user-gi8pk9uc7q am also a fourway descendant of King John and also William Marshal is an ancestor as well.

[@jaccusefashion]

@@user-gi8pk9uc7q so I am very distantly related to Kate as well....

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

@@jaccusefashionYep, isn't that cool?

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

@@jaccusefashion Being related to two awesome women?

[@jaccusefashion]

The Line later in that sticks with me is "we're jungle creatures Henry" and also when Richard pulls a knife....."of Course he's got a knife. Its 1183 and we're Barbarians!"

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

And it's Richard the fucking Lionheart, of course he's got a knife!

[@jauregi2726]

Can something be more Shakespearean than Shakespeare?

[@leftcoaster67]

Comparing James Goldman to Shakespeare? That's high praise indeed.

[@roguejester4986]

Yes, the problem is how rare it is.

[@maestroclassico5801]

"Christmas With The Plantagenets"

[@karllieck9064]

Well, what family doesn't have its ups and downs.

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@karllieck9064 well said!

[@kj6446]

@3:48.... there's some truth

[@rr7firefly]

"It's 1183, and we're all barbarians." -- what a great line. I want to remember it, as it seems to be ever more applicable to the bulk of humanity in 2024. Little progress, I'm afraid. :o)

[@Bea-wb9uk]

And at 3:45...hell f'n lo

[@levimeyer9745]

I no who u are

[@Neil-jm6om]

Kathy made an oof, syphilis wouldn't come to Europe until the 1490s.

[@leftcoaster67]

Not her flub. That's the script.

[@Thejampacker]

Not speaking old french undermines the authenticity of the scene too.

[@KajiXD]

Who cares about old french when you have Katharine Hepburn playing a queen. That's autenticity.

[@alaskanprincess9386]

Katherine didn't make an 'off' the screen writers did. BTW The first recorded outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1494/1495 in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion. Because it was spread by returning French troops, the disease was known as "French disease", and it was not until 1530 that the term "syphilis" was first applied by the Italian physician and poet Girolamo Fracastoro..

[@Neil-jm6om]

@@alaskanprincess9386 yes i'm bloody aware it was the screenwriters who made the "oof" it was a joke. Interesting about it being linked to the french though.