The year is 1183 and the kingdom of England is coming to a crossroads. The King (Edward II) must choose an heir from his three sons. He has summoned the Queen (Eleanor of Aquitane) from the castle that he's keeping her in and the fight is on.
His favorite is a simp. The Queen's favorite is a brute. The middle child is a first class schemer but neither of his parents think much of him. Add the King of France to the mix and the knives are out and ready to party!
Seriously, this movie is even more conniving than 'Dangerous Liasons'. Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn play the lead royalty and they're both fantastic. Anthony Hopkins had his first movie role here and he's very good. Timothy Dalton, also first movie role, is the young French king and he's also very good. The writing is sharp and the wordplay is dazzling. This was simply a great movie.
There's a certain value to historical fiction. I'd love to see a list of movies chronicling, say, Britain's history from someone (ahem). Would be fascinating.
1 comment:
The gauntlet is picked up, sir. The gauntlet is picked up.
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