_The Lion in Winter_ is an Oscar winning character drama based on an acclaimed stage play. England’s King Henry II hosts a Christmas court to welcome France’s King Philip, and uses the occasion to pit his wife and sons against each other in an effort to choose his heir. Starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, and Timothy Dalton, the film has quite an impressive cast that delivers strong performances (securing Hepburn a third Oscar). However, as intriguing as all the political maneuvering and family infighting is, it can get a bit bogged down in all the long stretches of dialog. Still, the sets and costumes are incredibly well-done, and composer John Barry provides a remarkably effective score (and an Oscar winning one too). It’s a little overly melodramatic at times, but overall _The Lion in Winter_ is a captivating film.