Midweek Matinee: Lion In Winter

British films from the 60’s fall into two camps: Those about the unsavory working class, and those about the unsavory royals.

Time has treated the former, AKA Kitchen Sink Drama, less kindly, probably because the dialogue isn’t much to – well -- speak of. Mum in the do-rag pushing the mop, and Dad saying, “Wot’s all this? Oy’ll show ye the back of me ‘and, oy wiw.”

The unsavory royals are much more fun. Lavish costumes, baroque scores, delightful anachronisms. There’s Burton mixing it up with the likes of Scofield, O’Toole, Richardson. And Redgrave with Hiller and York. Many of these chaps and chappesses had played the roles on stage, so gave effortless performances, comfortable in many skins.

But best of this category is no contest: Lion in Winter. Never has a dysfunctional family been so much fun to visit. And never has dialogue been so witty and English more beautifully spoken. Couldn’t find the clip for this, but whenever I watch the film, for days I mouth: “Out of curiousity, as intell-ek-tew-al to intell-ek-tew-al …”

Just ask; I’ll do it for you sometime. Better yet, watch the clips.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3