The Lion in Winter

by James Goldman

Paperback

Published January 1, 1968

About the author

James Goldman was an American Academy Award-winning screenwriter and playwright, and the brother of screenwriter and novelist William Goldman.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up primarily in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He is most noted as the author of The Lion in Winter and author of the book for the stage musical Follies.

Goldman died from a heart attack in New York City, where he had lived for many years.

Reviews

[Julio The Fox]

"Consider the facts? There is only one fact, power". Henry II. James Goldman, older brother of fellow screenwriter William (ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID) tried his hand at medieval pageantry and politics and came up with a winner. If THE LION IN WINTER at times reads like ersatz Shakespeare that is our fault, the audience, and not his. Most moderns have lost the taste for the sexual politics that lies at the heart of this drama about an aging Henry II, his incarcerated wife, Eleanor of Acquitaine, and their four sons. Since the royal favorite, another Henry, dies before the play starts his father must choose a successor among the remaining three dolts. Henry, Eleanor, the trio of "bastards" as Eleanor calls them, the impish King Philip of France, and assorted knaves all quarrel for power. Any one may win, for as Eleanor says, "in a world where carpenters are resurrected anything is possible". Goldman does not reveal the fruits of this tangle. We know one son will turn into Richard the Lionhearted and another the ridiculous King James, of Robin Hood fame. This is a savage family drama to rival KING LEAR in scope if not Bardian heights.

[Noah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I thought I had the text of the play, and had the screenplay instead, which the film follows extremely closely, so no real surprises here.

Still, I love the film and I loved reading this. Everyone is clever and cutting and they all love each other and hate each other. But most of all they love each other.

We're in the cellar and you're going back to prison and my life is wasted and we've lost each other and you're smiling. You're everything a little brother dreams of, did you know that? I never wrote because I thought you'd never answer. You'll take what daddy gives you. You never called for me. You never said my name. I would have walked or crawled. I'd have done anything. UGH.