Summary Of A Historical Film 'The Lion In Winter'

When we watch a historical film, we expect it to be accurate and easy to understand, but how much of a film is the actual truth or fact? When we think of truth and fact, the terms are often put together, however there is a subtle difference as fact is supported by evidence and truth is supported by opinion. Historical films often use certain techniques and anachronisms in order to make our understanding of historical events easier to comprehend. This also causes the films to bend the facts in order for us to accept it and help our understanding for certain characters. In the film, The Lion in Winter (1968), we ae shown the truth, instead of fact because of the characters’ portrayal, the changes of human nature, and the influence of our
King Henry the 2nd is in dire need of an heir to his throne as he is old and sick. He wants his youngest of three sons, John, to become the heir to the throne, however, his wife, Queen Eleanor, wants the eldest son, Richard, to be king. This is where the facts begin to bend as King Henry is shown as a selfish individual. He wants the love of his sons, have Queen Eleanor gone, in order to marry his mistress/love, Aliais, and acquire the Aquitaine from Eleanor. The film’s portrayal of Henry makes us believe that those things like love were what he mainly desired. Those were truths that we were told. The facts were that the real King Henry the 2nd was different as he mainly desired power from all over Europe. According the article in History Today, Henry had multiple mistresses and never married or loved one of them. He married Eleanor only for the Aquitaine and didn’t give his brothers any land as soon as he became king. Henry didn’t stop there as he created great accomplishments in the 1150s by claiming Northumberland and Cumbria from the Scots and even persuaded the Scots king Malcolm to accompany him on an expedition against Toulouse (History Today). He did treat his sons better that the movie’s portrayal as he gave them lands to control, for example, Geoffrey was given Brittany to rule over as a duke and John was claimed first prince to rule as Lord in Ireland (History
In modern times, we strive to have success and happiness in our lives. In the 12th century those views were completely different. Henry’s sons are examples of human nature changing. In the film, power is the driving factor for sons as they all want to be king. At first, they are shown as loyal servants and children to their father, it changes as Henry plans to have his favorite, John, as king. Geoffrey is upset that he doesn’t even get a chance so he plots with King Philip of France to start a war with England, in order to take the crown. When Henry announces that Richard will be king to satisfy Eleanor, John is furious as he was told that he will king. This causes Geoffrey to convince John to side with him, as he promises that John will be king if he helps with plotting the war. Henry has planned from the beginning that John will be the heir so the announcement about Richard was fake. This causes Richard to go to Eleanor for help as she suggests to get King Philip to aid in his conquest. With all the plotting behind Henry’s back, they forget to realize that Henry has the ultimate decision and when he discovers this betrayal, this causes him to disown all of them. These motives are completely different from our views as the desire for power isn’t as strong. Looking at Henry’s sons, their views of loyalty changed as soon as someone was claimed as king. These can also be called