10 Greatest Portrayals Of Monarchs In Movie History

4. Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn - The Lion In Winter

Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn put in magnificent performances as King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, respectively. There's trouble in paradise for the estranged couple, with Eleanor out of favor with the king and imprisoned in France. They disagree over which of their three sons should inherit the throne -- Eleanor supports her eldest son, Richard the Lionheart (played by Anthony Hopkins in his film debut), while Henry favors his youngest son, John. Henry eventually decides that none of his sons are suitable to inherit (even though both Richard and John would go on to be crowned king), and briefly considers siring a new heir with his mistress. This is one of the quintessential political marriages in history, and both O'Toole and Hepburn showcase the shrewd and calculating intelligence of these two royal powerhouses.