The Lion in Winter (2003) Production: Television Miniseries Producer: Patrick Stewart, Wendy Neuss-Stewart, Robert Halmi Sr., Martin Poll Director: Andrei Konchalovsky Scriptwriter: James Goldman Cast: Patrick Stewart, Glenn Close, Andrew Howard, John Light, Rafe Spall, Julia Vysotskaia, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Clive Wood Film Role: King Henry II of England (lead)

Synopsis: Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close will star as a royal couple, portraying King Henry II of England and his scheming wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine in a SHOWTIME Original Picture THE LION IN WINTER.

Set in 1183 during the Christmas holidays, THE LION IN WINTER begins as the reluctant Henry gathers his family around him to name one of his three sons as the successor to the throne. Each son has a flaw which makes the decision difficult. Eleanor, who is summoned from prison where she was sent after an attempt on the King's life, plots with her sons to force Henry to decide - according to her agenda. To complicate matters, Henry's mistress, Princess Alais of France, whom he hopes to make his next queen, is visited by her conniving brother King Philip of France, who also has his own plans for Henry's monarchy. With the fate of the empire at stake, everyone engages in their own brand of deception and treachery to stake their claim.

Based on the Academy Award(R)-winning screenplay by James Goldman, the film is being produced for Showtime by Hallmark Entertainment and Flying Freehold Productions.

The film was shot in Budapest, Hungary from January to March 2003.

Related links:
DVD Review (6/14/2005) — BlogCritics.com
Stewart Nominated for Golden Globe - Best Actor for Lion in Winter (12/13/2004)
TV's Best (5/28/2004) — From Cincinnati Enquirer
New Lion in Winter On Cusp of Summer (5/23/2004) — From Ohio Beacon Journal (Subscription)
Lion Roars With Wintry Vitriol, Wit (5/23/2004) — From Boston Herald - Interview
Showtime Lion: When Networks Think Big (5/23/2004) — From Washington Post - (Registration)
Winter Stars Make Most of Middle Ages (5/23/2004) — From Boston Herald - Review
Close, Stewart Take Challenge of Lion in Winter (5/22/2004) — From Cleveland Plain Dealer - Interview
New Lion Still Has Some of The Old Bite (5/22/2004) — From NY Daily News
Old Stage Lions Roar in Showtime's Winter (5/22/2004) — From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Patrick Stewart Has Dream Cast In Remaking of Lion in Winter (5/22/2004) — From The Detroit News - Interview
A Cozy Family Ready to Kill One Another (5/22/2004) — From NY Times
Patrick Stewart Gives Nuanced Performance as King Henry II (5/21/2004) — From The Seattle Times
Actors Don't Mind Remaking Screen Classic (5/21/2004) — From Sioux City Journal - Interview (Subscription)
Showtime's Lion Dusts Off A Classic (5/21/2004) — From Roanoke Times
In Hepburn's Classic Role, Close Is A Lion (5/21/2004) — From Boston Globe
TV Review (5/21/2004) — From Albuquerque Tribune
TV Best Bets (5/21/2004) — From Detroit Free Press
Interview on The View (5/21/2004) — From VRRRM.com - Transcript and Vidcaps
Close, Stewart Wear The Crowns In Winter (5/20/2004) — From USA Today - Interview
TV Review: Lion in Winter Is Good Throwback (5/20/2004) — From Modesto Bee
Lavish Lion Deserves More (5/20/2004) — From Rocky Mountain News
Review - Lion in Winter (5/20/2004) — From The Hollywood Reporter
A New Lion and Lioness: Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close Ascend The Throne in Lion in Winter (5/20/2004) — From NY Newsday - Interview
Close, Stewart Lift Lion in Winter (5/20/2004) — From USAToday
Interview on Today Show (5/18/2004) — From VRRRM.com - Transcript/Vidcaps
Film Review (5/16/2004) — From Variety - (Subscription required)
TV Waking Lion in Winter (5/16/2004) — From Winston-Salem Journal - Interview
Interview on Ellen DeGeneres Show (5/13/2004) — From VRRRM.com - Transcript and Vidcaps
Interview on The Late Late Show (5/12/2004) — From VRRRM.com - Transcript and Vidcaps
Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart to Star in Showtime and Hallmark Entertainment's New Version of The Lion in Winter on May 23rd (4/21/2004) — From PRNewsire.com
Spis Castle (4/19/2004) — Filming Location
Showtime Takes a Behind The Scenes Look at Lion In Winter (4/1/2004)
Stewart Treks To The Sarasota Film Festival (1/25/2004) — From Herald Tribune
Patrick's Royal Role As He Quits The Enterprise (7/14/2003) — From Huddersfield Examiner
See pictures of the production (3/22/2003) — From Hallmark Entertainment
Patrick Stewart to film Lion in Winter (4/30/2002) — From Playbill
Stewart Dons Crown For Lion Remake (4/30/2002) — From trektoday.com
Patrick Stewart to Star in The Lion In Winter (4/29/2002) — From PRNewswire
Production Photos
Trailer
Henry II — From britannia.com
Internet Movie Database Movie Page
Showtime Network — Movie Page
Hallmark Entertainment — Movie Page
Henry II Biographical Info — From royal.gov.uk
The Lion in Winter - The Play — From amazon.com
Chinon - Home of Henry II Plantagenet — Pictures of Castle