Henry V

Rating:
Summary: Kenneth Branagh brings us the post-Vietnam "Henry V"
Review: Kenneth Branagh makes an astounding directorial debut in this acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hank Cinq." For his efforts in this 1989 film, Branagh was nominated for Oscars as both Best Director and Best Actor. The rest of the cast is comprised of the finest contemporary stage actors in England: Derek Jacobi (Narrator), Brian Blessed (Exeter), Alec McCowen (Ely), Ian Holm (Fluellen), Judi Dench (Mistress Quickly), Paul Scofield (French King) and Emmas Thompson (Katharine). Robby Coltrane even makes a brief appearance as Falstaff. This is clearly the anti-war version of "Henry V," where the stirring oratory of the St. Crispin's Day speech is washed away by the memorable tracking shot as Henry carries the body of one of the dead English boys across the bloody field of Agincourt to the sound of the "Te Deum." Even at 138 minutes much of the play is omitted in this film, including much of the comic interplay between the four soldiers (who have English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh accents), but that is to be expected. Branagh filmed all of "Hamlet," and that did not exactly go over well.

Whenever I would teach Shakespeare I would devote a class period to showing my students the Prologue and first two scenes from the Olivier and Branagh versions of "Henry V." The purpose was not only to show them what a performance of the play would have been liked when staged in the Globe Theater (how Olivier opens his film), but to show the range of dramatic interpretation of the film. Olivier's Henry is full of flowery eloquence, while Branagh offers a quiet intensity instead. Just compare the difference in the entrance of Henry in each film. Of course, if you look at both films in their entirety you cannot help but realize that Olivier's version was made during the Second World War, when England was again facing a powerful enemy, while Branagh's version is just as clearly a post-Vietnam film, where war is a bloody business and heroism a matter of simply surviving. Obviously my suggestion for a double feature is going to be both versions of "Henry V."

Rating:
Summary: Still Among The Finest Film Adaptations of Shakespeare
Review: Kenneth Branagh's directorial debut is one of my favorite films of the past twenty years. His "Henry V" is a profound, meditative polemic against war, quite unlike the equally acclaimed version with Laurence Olivier. Branagh portrays Henry V as a young, moody king who emerges as a heroic figure while he leads his ragtag English army to victory against the French, only to realize towards the film's end how brutal and horrible his campaign has been. Branagh's brief addition of scenes from "Henry IV" shows us how rapid Henry V's transformation from a gentle, moody youth to a stern, iron-willed general has been. In addition to Branagh's electrifying performance, there are fine performances too from Judi Dench, Paul Scofield as the King of France, Brian Blessed, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, Christopher Ravenscroft, Derek Jacob as the narrator, among others. You are guaranteed to see some of the finest acting of Shakespeare ever recorded on film. And it is accompanied by novice film composer Patrick Doyle's elegant score (He also acts in the film); rich in pathos and lyricism.

Rating:
Summary: Now this is magical theater made into a movie
Review: It is hard to find too many faults with this wonderful adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V. Some of the people left out of the movie such as Queen Isabeau of France and some other sub-plots don't detract from this great masterpiece. This movie will inspire while also showing some aspects of the heart-ache of war.

Hopefully some day, we will see a more realistic telling of the story of Henry V, because Shakespeare's version is admittedly anglo-centric and makes Henry V out to be a noble, moral, hero of the middle ages. When the historical record is examined closer, Henry V was a brutal war criminal even by the standards of his day. With a questionable claim to the throne of England, he descends upon France based upon claims to the throne through his Great Great Grandmother Isabella. The death and suffering this caused, all in the name of God and honor, was a terrible spectacle in the 1400's.

Long live King Henry as an example of how to ruin a country by invading others on false pretences, all to cover up your own illegitimacy. That plot sounds strangely familiar.

Rating:
Summary: Superb! Excellent editing, directing and acting
Review: Kenneth Brannagh comes through for Shakespeare lovers in his role as director and as acting Henry V. Henry V is probably Shakespeare's ideal Christian warrior king as portrayed in the three plays, Henry IV part I, party II and Henry V. Brannagh brings him to life in this film.

Some background knowledge of the above three plays would help the audience understand the story of Henry V and other characters as they are shown in some of the flashbacks in the film. A big part of the character from the plays is his transformation from prodigal to gracious and glorious king. Brannagh captures some of that process using flashbacks to Henry V ("Hal's") days frolicking along with Falstaff and friends.

This film shows the process of Henry V deciding to go to war against France and the implementation of the war machine and actual battles. We see his devotion to God and country through his turmoil and faith. The movie shows the conflicts that arise in from our enemies and supposed friends.

I think Brannagh does a great job playing the king in all aspects. The "Band of Brothers" speech is as good as it gets. Like the rest of the play, Brannagh edits it down to the core essence and delivers it perfectly. Like me, you will probably watch is over and over until it is memorized. There are several other memorable speeches in this play from Brannagh.

The miracle of the Battle of Agincourt is a historical record of how the small and tattered English army defeated a much larger and fresher French foe. As Henry V proclaims that "God fought for us this day."


There is just no reason not to purchase and enjoy this film.

Rating:
Summary: MGM kicks the hearing-impaired in the teeth
Review: This is a great film. A classic. Incomparable acting and staging. Blah blah blah.

This film has an English language soundtrack. It also contains two options for subtitles. French, and Spanish. HUH???

I thought in the 21st century it was standard for major motion pictures released by major studios to have a closed-caption or subtitle option for English speaking persons who are hard of hearing. My hearing is quite good, but to understand the odd language of Shakespeare delivered with British accents of varying clarity is not something one can count on 100%. To say nothing of my parents, who are getting on in years and do not always understand dialog completely in the absence of subtitles.

This oversight is inexcusable. And this being Shakespeare, the lack of English subtitles is far more galling than it would be on another release.

MGM, confess your sin. Remaster this superb movie -- I agree it is Brannagh's best so far -- with English captions and I will recommend that EVERYONE who values culture the least little bit buy a copy.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Review: Agincourt October 25, 1415. The English, under the command of King Henry V, defeated a large French force at Agincourt, a key defeat of the French during the 100 years war 1337-1453.

Kenneth Branagh directed this film when he was 29, played the lead as Henry V. At the tender age of 23, he played that same part for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Pretty good film for his first try at directing, I certainly enjoyed the story, very suspenseful. The battle sequence was pretty gory, seemed like the real thing. Yes, I did have trouble understanding what the actors were saying at times, one critic comments that they mumble their lines, which was frustrating for me since I never read this play in school. The story ends with a marriage proposal to the French princess Katherine. In actuality, years after 1415, the good? Queen Katherine dumps Henry for her clerk of the wardrobe from whom she had four children. So much for loving your enemies.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping, powerful performances
Review: This is Shakespeare as it should be done. Far too many people know the plays only from painfully dull classroom readings or school-inflicted mediocre videos of mumbling actors on heavy medication. No wonder most people run screaming at the first mention of the Bard! If that has been your experience in the past, do yourself a favor and see what power lies hidden in these classics.

Rating:
Summary: Utter Brilliance
Review: Shakespeare is a beautiful form of drama. It speaks to human emotions on all level, from blithe humour to darkest evils within soul. But in today's INTERNET, hip-hop world, the appeal fades for the general masses. The Hard-Core Will addicts still treasure his tales, his prose, but younger generations think they should be modernised because it's too hard for their patience. Well, I saw 12-year-olds adoring this Branagh's Henry, and with just cause. When you find 12 and 13-years-olds watching this movie without being "forced", it tells you something of Branagh's power. The man was born to speak the words, and lead the way for others to suspend the "its too hard". Suddenly the KEY is there. Under Branagh's magic, the words have their full power, their majesty, their impact. Branagh speaks Will's words as Will intended them, with a natural ease that makes one question why we don't still speak this way!

The movie is brilliant from start to finish. Branagh is magic, a sorcerer conjuring in others the ability to follow "his pied piper". It just does not get any better than this. And Derek Jacobi is Branagh's match.

Sigh, why can they not do all Shakespeare's works on film with the same power?

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Adaptation
Review: Kenneth Brannagh in "Henry V" presents a powerful adaptation of the original not seen since Polanski's "MacBeth."

Reinforced by a powerful cast including Derek Jakobi and Brian Blessed (who both performed together in the BBC series "I Claudius"), the audience is captured into the political intrigues of Medieval Europe and the Hundred Years War. This adaptation probably has one of the best accurate reenactments of Medieval warfare I've ever seen in its depiction of the battle of Agincourt.

The low point would be Emma Thompson's performance of the French princess: pretentious and unimpressive. Her mastery of the language was frankly too poor to be acted upon: sounding more like she was struggling through an introductory French lesson. The role should have been given to a French actress or to an actress who could at least speak the language. Despite this one blemish, there are few other renditions that compare to this suspensful and fast-paced masterpiece.




Rating:
Summary: Great Film, Less than Great Transfer
Review: Kenneth Branagh is truly inspired. As both the director and lead actor he is simply superb. Of all the Oscars this was nominated for, including Best Actor and Best Director for Branagh, all it walked away with was Best Costume Design. The costumes are great, by the way. But what makes this film work is the authentic emotional element that all the actors bring to their roles. Tears fall, hearts soar, and blood flows! This is easily my favorite film from director/actor Kenneth Branagh. There is a huge cast of name actors, such as Ian Holm, Judi Dench, and Emma Thompson, and all acquit themselves with honorable performances worthy of singular recognition. There are complex tracking shots and finely tuned film editing, all adding to the immense grandeur that envelopes this film. It is easy for me to recommend this outstanding Shakespearean adventure. If you love Shakespear, this film is an absolute necessity for your collection. Thank you.