Customer Reviews

Henry V

5 star:		(138)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is a sweeping statement, but true nonetheless: I believe that Kenneth Branagh's HENRY V is the greatest screen adaption ever done of Shakespeare. Period. Better than Olivier (although he was great in a very diferent way). Better than any version of Hamlet (even Branagh's, which is the best of the Hamlets). Better than anything else.

Why do I say this? Simply because no other film adaptation of Shakespeare has captured the essence of what the Bard was trying to say while adding a modern perspective in the process, all in a manner that is readily accessible to a mass audience. Yet that is precisely what this film does.

By sheer genius, Branagh was able to present HENRY V in all of its nationalistic glory, just as Shakespeare wrote it, while at the same time adding an anti-war footnote that serves both as counterpoint and commentary on the Bard's message. The contrast betwen the St. Crispin's Day speech as presented here (in which we are made to feel the real power behind Shakespeare's words) and the gritty, realistic presentation of the battle itself which follows is proof of my assertion.

It's all here: Lessons on history, loyalty, and the qualities of leadership, all wrapped in a fiercely entertaining package. Branagh's great accomplishment is to bring the piece to life without the slightest bit of stuffiness or anachronism, and even to add his own touch to an unapproachable masterpiece. This, his first film, remains his crowning achievement. I think the Bard would approve.

This may be the best Shakespeare film ever made. In 1942, Laurence Olivier delivered a jingoistic, stylized wartime production of "Henry V" that nonetheless stood as the standard interpretation. Nearly fifty years later, Kenneth Branagh's film appeared not only as a powerful and amazingly accessible recasting of the text, but a serious examination of the nature and the costs of the war that was Henry the Fifth's only real achievement.

Although studded with a fine array of subsidiary characters, "Henry V" is essentially a one-man play, and Branagh's performance informs and naturally influences all of the rest. His character has most of the lines, and he delivers them with a refreshing naturalism and candor that re-infuses the humor into the funny bits and cuts a lot of the potential for stilted jingoism out of the patriotic and warlike ones. If the real Henry's delivery of the St. Crispin speech was anything like Branagh's, it's no wonder the English won.

Slogging through the mud and rain of Harfleur and Agincourt with Branagh is a masterful supporting cast, including the incomparable Judi Dench as Mistress Quickly, Brian Blessed as a marvelously solid Exeter, and Ian Holm, wonderful as the irreverent and sarcastic Fluellen. On the French side, Paul Scofield's King is weary and indecisive rather than weak and mad; Michael Maloney's Dauphin is entertainingly arrogant, and Emma Thompson delivers a small but charming performance in playwright-broken English and much better French than Shakespeare likely spoke. Tying it all together is Christopher Ravenscroft, who invests the herald Mountjoy with a sympathy that extends to both sides, and a phenomenal showing by Derek Jacobi as the earnest, mocking and informative Chorus.

"Henry V" was released and went to video before the heyday of production for DVD, and as such, a "deluxe edition" has not been produced- this disc contains no making-of documentaries, no in-depth interviews with the cast, no online screenplay. But at least in this case, that's all for the best. The film is stunning enough on its own to need no such accompaniment, and its magic is thereby undiminished.

I couldn't agree more with a reviewer below who suggested that high school English teachers would do well to put away the Shakespeare books and get their students to watch films like this. How can ninth graders possibly appreciate The Bard by poring over blocks of flowery text? Shakespeare needs to be seen, performed by actors who understand the cadence and meaning of the language, in order to be appreciated. Like most other people, I was forced to read plays like "Julius Caesar" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in high school, and I just DIDN'T GET IT at the time. It was only until I was an adult and saw Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of "Henry V" that I realized what a genius William Shakespeare really was.

For some odd reason videotape copies of this excellent film have been virtually impossible to find in recent years, so imagine my delight when I found out it soon to be re-released on DVD. I was quick to place my advance order, for "Henry V" is one of those rare films that one can watch repeatedly and appreciate even more after each viewing. Older film adaptations of this play, such as the one featuring Laurence Olivier in the title role, seem to pale in comparison, if only because of the gritty realism Branagh brings. King Henry's threats outside the gates of Harfleur border on horrific, and his "Feast of St. Crispian" speech to his men before the battle of Agincourt is perhaps the most soul-stirring call to arms I have ever heard. In contrast is a funny and charming scene in which Henry attempts to win the heart of the French Princess Catherine (Emma Thompson). Yet for all the hard-fought and glorious victory Shakespeare presents, he concludes his play with a subtly-worded indictment of war and an afterword about how so much of what Henry conquered was lost in later years.

This is one of my favorite movies. If you have never given that much thought to the works of William Shakespeare, watch this movie. I am confident you'll realize what a truly remarkable literary voice he was.

Branagh combines the best with the best. Shakespeare's brilliant writing is combined with Branagh's brilliant directing, and cinematography; and Doyle's superb music is combined with the superb acting of Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, Brian Blessed, Paul Scofield, and Christoher Ravenscroft to make this history come alive on the screen.

If you don't know the play, this production will introduce you to one of the most inspiring of Shakespeare's histories, Henry V. It is a story of a warrior king, who initially appears to be manipulated by 2 clergy (Canterbury and Ely) into asserting England's claim on France. As the story unfolds, it becomes uncertain as to who has manipulated whom. Perhaps, Henry, the pious king, needs the blessing of the church; perhaps, Henry, the clever king needs the financial backing of the church; perhaps Henry, the politician, needs a scapegoat if things don't go well.

He hardly seems weak, manipulated, and reluctant as he delivers the Stint Crispin's day speech.before the battle of Agincourt. His 12,000 men are outnumbered 5 to one; they are tired, and face fresh French troops on the morrow and Shakespeare has King Hal say.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile This day shall gentle his condition And gentlemen in England, now abed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here And hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."

The battle that ensues is as bloody and confusing as D-Day. No one is sure who has won the day until the herald, Montjoy, approaches King Henry to request a truce so that the French claim their 10,000 dead. The English have lost only 500.

I think that Shakespeare is always about character. This is what can make us care about a long dead king whose triumphs did not extend beyond his reign. It can make us tune in a 20th century ear to a beautiful speech pattern that is long gone. And, when Shakespeare is brought together with the considerable talents of the film makers involved in this Henry V, it is genius in motion.

Unfortunately, Kenneth Branagh's career thus far has been somewhat hit or miss, but "Henry V" is a solid hit. In fact, it is far and a way the best film adaptation of Shakespeare I have ever seen, surpassing even Polanski's "Macbeth". Through the use of lavish sets, beautiful costumes and old fashioned blood and guts battle scenes, Branagh brings the work alive in a way no one else could have. I particularly enjoyed his conception of the narrator as a modern day man wandering around the sets in between takes. Furthermore, the cinematography, is outstanding. By using many tight shots, Branagh captures the feel of a play being acted out. Branagh himself offers a mind-blowing performance as Henry, bringing tremendous emotion to the role. Finally, "Henry V" features, to my mind, the greatest original score ever recorded for a movie.

While the DVD doesn't offer much in the way of features, it does bring you the film in beautiful widescreen with outstanding sound, so you can experience the film the way it was meant to be. This is a must have for any DVD collection.

The brilliance of this version is that those who have not yet found Shakespeare can do it in this one. The fidelity to the original script actually transports the viewer from the modern stage into the past (just as Branagh intended when Chorus opens the off stage door). The action, the human drama, the SHAKESPEARE comes roaring through just as the man himself intended when he wrote it. I've seen Henry done dozens of times (including at Stratford, the RSC, at the new Globe, etc.) and they are all lacking by comparison to this film. So if you only have one life to live, put this film into it.

OK...but here's the critique...You absolutely must agree that Henry V is a front runner for the best film interpretation of any Shakespearian play. And of course Chorus is probably the best ever in any version, stage or screen (in fact better than I was ever able to imagine him). Plus I agree that Branagh's genius set the modern standard for all Shakespeare with this one. And yes, Agincourt is done so well that you can cry at the St. Crispian's speech and again when Branagh carries the boy through the killing field during the hymn....in fact it's good enough that it makes you want to sing God Save The King all by yourself.

But nothing is perfect and neither is the DVD version of this great one. I was absolutely disappointed with the lack of a thundering soundtrack for the French knights' charge at Agincourt. Obviously Branagh wrote the script to build to what could be the greatest anticipatory moment in modern film....the chance to actually put every viewer onto the field at Agincourt was so well done that it has always leaped at you from the screen.....but without that thunder on the DVD audio mix, it's lost. Let's hope Branagh can become the anti-Spielberg and actually get this remixed with a crisp digital thunder on the next version.....and this may be the only film where a Director's cut dialogue would actually add insight into the interpretation (since most of us seem to agree that his debut as a Director was as good as his debut as an actor). Personally, I get a better sound from my VHS copy than the DVD (and I'm using $20K of equipment).

It takes a bit of pretentious audacity to take on a play that William Shakespeare penned. It takes further boldness to undertake this production and transform the play to a motion picture. But, in 1989, a full 380 odd years after Henry V was written, Kenneth Branagh managed to pull it off with grace, class, and style! Both directing and starring as Henry V, Branagh makes an absolutely brilliant debut in this incredible film.

Branagh has three other outstanding Shakespearian actors in this film that most certainly aided him, and probably helped inspire him, to make this film. They are Derek Jacobi, who plays the narrator Chorus, and Brian Blessed, who plays Henry V's uncle Exeter , and the aged John Scofield, who plays the French King. All of their performances, espeically Branagh's and Jacobi's, are some of the most inspired and brilliant that I have ever seen! Emma Thompson plays the French princess, and does a fine job as well.

I went back to see Sir Lawrence Olivier's performance of Henry V, and this compares very favorably with it. I would venture to say that Branagh does a better job than Olivier, but maybe that would be debatable and going a bit too far. Remember that most Shakespeare plays put to motion picture aren't the entire play, they are edited, and this is no exception.

All in all, this is one of my all time favorite movies, and I highly recommend it. If you like this, check out Branagh in the 1995 version of Hamlet, and the other Shakespeare plays Branagh has put to film, including Much Ado About Nothing, and Othello.

For a first effort at feature-film direction, now-veteran director/writer/actor Kenneth Branagh provided an astonishing introduction to his many talents in filmmaking with his 1989 production, 'Henry V'. There is a gritty realism brought to the screen in this production that combines in dynamic and interesting ways with the Shakespearean dialogue and situations. The battle scenes are some of the best in cinema for depicting the kind of royal and knightly battles. A special commendation goes to cinematographer Kenneth MacMillan, art directors Martin Childs, Norman Dorme, John King, and costume designer Phyllis Dalton for combining elements of stage and screen together to complement the story perfectly without overpowering it. Indeed, the picture won the Oscar for Best Costumes; Branagh was nominated for Best Leading Actor and Best Director. The film and crew were nominated for and won many other awards as well.

One of the problems of Shakespeare on the silver screen is that the situations, settings, and acting often ends up somewhat contrived. That rarely happens here, because of this remarkable team.

The principle writing credit of course goes to William Shakespeare, but as is always the case, the play is recast to make the film medium more natural for the story. Kenneth Branagh is the one credited here, and has shown himself several times after this film as a master of adapting Shakespeare faithfully to the screen.

The play itself is one of Shakespeare's history plays -- remember the broad three categories of Shakespeare: history, drama (some say tragedy), and comedy. Like most of the history plays, there is creative license taken with the actual history, as it is invariably adapted to make the present regime look good, credible and more legitimate. This explains why Richard III in Shakespeare is far more villainous than in actual life; in Henry V, the country had a great and (for the period) uncontroversial hero - the last king of England to be acknowledged the dominant power in Britain and in France, succeeding in unwinnable situations, and, as befits a good historical hero, dies young before he has the chance to destroy his image. The play has always been popular in times of national crisis - see Olivier's production of Henry V during World War II depicting the king as a national saviour against continental foes.

The action of the play and film turns on the legitimacy of Henry's rule in France (an issue still for Elizabethan audiences, as Elizabeth was crowned with supposed rights to France). The French are depicted as haughty and disdainful of the young king (interesting how some things don't change), and the battle lines are drawn. The film here sets the stage for a far more ambiguous justification for war than is often depicted in the play, leaving the viewer wondering if, for all the glory of the battles, was there a real point, or was it legalistic/diplomatic trickery?

There is also the interesting scene with the conspirators against the king, unmasked as the forces are about to depart for France. Cambridge, Scrope and Grey are exposed, but the dialogue and acting hints as a more intimate relationship with Henry V - possibly this references obliquely the rumours of homosexuality, or at least bisexuality, in the historical Henry.

The players are excellent here, from Branagh himself as Henry V, and Brian Blessed his strong right arm Exeter. Paul Scofield (Thomas More in 'A Man for All Seasons') plays the ancient French king, Charles VI, and his son the Dauphin is played by Michael Maloney. This is, on the whole, a rather 'young' film, as Branagh himself was not yet 30 at the time of production, and most of his aides and friends in the play are similarly young, save for a few senior advisors. Emma Thompson, a staple in Branagh's films, plays the only significant female role, the princess Katherine, to whom Henry will be wed. Her part is almost entirely in French. Her maid, Alice, is played by Geraldine McEwan (perhaps best known from 'Mapp & Lucia').

The famous speeches here are preserved; Branagh does a fantastic job with his spirit-raising monologue for the troops prior to the battle of Agincourt, on Crispin Crispian day. The speech on horseback in the early seige of Harfleur, 'once more into the breech!' is also remarkable. The lines delivered by all the actors are done with care and precision - Exeter's report to Henry at the opening ('tennis balls', said with great sneer) and to the French party ('scorn', said with so much scorn the word need not be spoken) are but a few examples of this.

The film expands upon the play's use of Falstaff's companions as a comic relief, by incorporating what would be flash-back scenes from events in the Henry IV play cycle, premonitions of events currently in the play. Robbie Coltrane turns in a good performance as Falstaff; look for Judi Dench in a minor role as the Mistress, and a very young Christian Bale as the boy.

The music for the film is triumphant, foreboding and dark. This is a wonderful score produced by Patrick Doyle, known for work on other Branagh films such as 'Dead Again' and 'Much Ado about Nothing', as well as other films such as 'Indochine' and literature-based films like 'Gosford Park' and 'Great Expectations'.

Derek Jacobi, veteran Shakespearean, portrays 'Chorus', the narrator of the action, one who casts the right spirit from beginning to end, and appears throughout. There are few Shakespearean asides done by the actors here (a few under-the-breath comments that might qualify), but Jacobi's role is always directly to camera, directly to us as the spectators. The ending portrayed by Chorus is both victorious and tragic, much as the cycle of history must be.

This is a glorious film.

Shakeseare knew about expediencey. He knew of brutality and treachery, of open conflict and the ways in which royalty can become prisoners of the juggarnaut of war.

Shakespeare's *Henry V* is a miracle of a play, in which Shakespeare both caters to an audience expecting a model Henry and incorporates his own knowledge of what kings become under the pressure of historical circumstance. With music and lighting, Brannagh shows us the boy-king as a formidable and feared presence, but we are not invited, at the beginning, to question his goodness. As the play progresses, however, we see Henry's multidimensonal personality. He is one man to his old tavern friends, and quite another to those same friends in times of war. Henry knows he must shed his past. He does so brutally. Bardolph is hanged as the king watches, and even in the flashbacks to the tavern scenes, we see Henry's calculating nature. He can never afford to become part of one world, much less a raucous one: he is a chameleon.

And it is that that makes him a good king, and it is that which makes him frightening. Brannagh gives us no easy solutions. He shows us a king who is more than his body, but who inhabits a sometimes weak and frail carcass. And Branagh shows us the mud and blood and casual slaughter of war, as York, in battle, is mobbed, and slain by blows that seems almost to crucify him. This is most definitely a post vietnam film. But even Brannagh cannot have Henry recite Shakespeare's most chilling lines: "Kill all the prisoners." Ambiguity is ambiguity, but apparently the idea of Henry having his troops cutting the throats of the French taken prisoner was too much even for Branagh.

For its faults and its merits, this film sucks the viewer in. We care. We almost care too much, because war destroys the innocent as well as the guilty. The abrupt courtship between Henry and Katherine (of France) at the end is shown very clearly as Henry's attempt to turn tragedy into comedy, but Henry is no longer the king that he was. He is too stained with blood. The marriage comedy, except for a few laughs, falls flat. It may be said that Henry, the victor, knows that he has somehow failed. And history (sadly) has the final word.

But Brannagh here is at his best; his shoe-string budget simply makes the film free of flab and full of imagination. Henry's frailty, pain, need to protect a country, desire to triumph and at the same time remain human lift this film above everything else Brannagh has done. Although it may pretend to, this film gives us no easy answers. See it and weep.

There isn't a flaw in this film, from top to bottom, from the incredible interpretation of the Shakespeare lines, recited in top form by an incredible cast of talented British actors, to the most intense battle scene in any period movie, bar none. This came out several years ahead of all the popular later period piece movies such as Braveheart, Gladiator, Rob Roy, etc., yet there hasn't been a film to match it yet.

Kenneth Branagh should have won the Oscar that year, but he was an unknown, young director/actor, so Hollywood and the Academy would have never cast such a risky vote at that time (1989).

From Kenneth Branagh's incredible debut acting work, to the already seasoned actors such as Judi Dench and Brian Blessed, the cast is one of the best in British film history. Watch for a young Christian Bale and one of Emma Thomspon's early film roles (not sure if this was officially released before The Tall Guy or not, but if it was, it would make it her first film role).

Movies like this are rare, and I can't believe it is out of print in it's current form. It screams for a complete special edition release!