Comparing 'The Lion in Winter', Films from 1968 and 2003

[MmeLEnfer]

I haven't seen either of these movies, but based on the comparison... imho, the first is by far the better, mainly because it has a uniformly incredible cast. O'Toole plays his part to the hilt, and Dalton was surprisingly good as Philip. The new movie just doesn't have the same tension or energy, but I did think Rhys Meyers was as good as Dalton in his own way. He has an arrogance and a cold otherness about him while easily selling the teenager aspect.

[yllienverdes]

it's curious: o'toole play Henry ii two times within a relatively short time span. first, in "becket" (with r. Burton) and here in "lion." both plays were so different and both kings were so different, respectively. in both case, though, you really believed o'toole. he is a master. love this comparsion clip, btw. speaks volumes about so much!

[MsNotzi]

I agree that the '68 version is better than the '03 version, but I wouldn't put down the performances of the actors in the latter. And for the folks that said that Jonathan Rhys Meyers was bland and boring, with all due respect, you must've never seen "Elvis," "Gormenghast," or "The Tudors."

[Ennio444]

I love Peter O'Toole as Henry II. He's petulant, arrogant, sure, authoritary... he looks, sounds and feels like a real king would look, sound and feel. Especially a king so powerful and reassured as Henry II...

Patrick Steward is good. but O'Toole is just perfect.

[Stryder687]

Peter O'Toole. Comes second. After NO ONE

[vanillaorchid]

Why did they do a remake? The original was perfect.

Rhys-Meyer is flat and bland, how on earth does he get work?

[TheRokkiephantomlove]

is that timothy dalton?

[tribetng]

@TheRokkiephantomlove as the french king? Yes indeed.

[SophyaAgain]

@TheRokkiephantomlove Yes, if I'm not wrong it's his big screen debut and also Hopkins'.

[Xerxes2005]

Ugh... Why did they have to choose Jonathan Rhys Meyer. So effeminate and bland for the role. Although I loathe him for almost any role... Timothy Dalton was far better for the great King of France that was Philippe Auguste.

[lotzapoppa89]

definitely prefer the original. Peter O'Toole gave a much more energetic performance

[NarutoAccelAF]

I know. You know I know. I know you know I know, we know that Henry knows and Henry knows we know it.

[SocratesTheGadfly]

although the comparison between Peter O'Toole and Patrick Stewart may be valid just as the performances by Katherine Hepburn and Glenn Close are relevant. the real FAILING is jonathan rhys meyers and Timothy Dalton. rhys meyers is ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS as King Philip and for that the 2003 remake suffers greatly. rhys meyers should NEVER be allowed to "act" because he does NOT inhabit the role NOR any rold and especially as King Henry II in the Tudors.

[paganpup]

I greatly admire both Stewart and Close, but they just don't show the joie de vivre and bombast of O'Toole and Hepburn. They may be technically better performances, but from this particular clip comparison, I don't see it.

[vgb42222]

the 1968 version IS the best. hands down!

[jerico641]

The difference is painful; Stewart sounds like he's instructing the role, O'Toole inhabits it. Stewart shows emotion, O'Toole revels in it. Stewart is perfectly presentable as Henry, O'Toole is damn near perfect.

[Stryder687]

@jerico641

Stewart is presentable. O'Toole IS Henry!

[jerico641]

@Stryder687

Well, I certainly agree.

[Stryder687]

@jerico641 And I agree with what you said! Why would they remake this movie?! It was good on its own!

[jerico641]

@Stryder687

Oh, I don't know; every thirty years or so, some producer just gets it in his head that he has to remake a classic, usually with disappointing results. I disliked Stewart as Ahab as well, although he was better than he was in this role.

[derekrhein]

I agree this scene is better in the original than the remake, however, the scenes between Henry and Eleanor were much more interesting and believable in the 2003 version. Stewart and Close brought a lot more to the table than O'Toole and Hepburn. I like both films, but the remake stands out because of their relationship.

[jaocheu]

there's no energy or zest in the performances in the new version, it's quite dreary.

[Khitra]

The new version is simply worse... thx for this clip, I was curious about the new one, but after this I won't watch. Stewart is no King, and this youngster playing Philippe is just a annoying child. No comparison to Peter O'Toole, Timothy Dalton, Katherine Hepburn or Anthony Hopkins... not at all! There are lightyears in between...! Where's all the bellowing, the heat between the characters, the passion, the burning glances?

[Burndog17]

@Khitra exactly..Patrick Stewart is a great actor in his own right, but hes nothing compared to Peter Otoole, especially in the role of Henry

[Th3Tr1ppyH1ppy]

make moar these these r really cool!!!!

[JohnKFisher]

@Th3Tr1ppyH1ppy @Th3Tr1ppyH1ppy Heh, there's a few more like this at the site listed in the clip description (won't let me paste urls in comments), and every once in a while I throw one together :-) Glad you like!

[Stryder687]

@Th3Tr1ppyH1ppy

AGREED