Rating: 
Summary: Who Wouldn't Follow Him?
Review: Few films caputer the spirit (or create one anew) of Shakespeare like this one, which makes Olivier's fine and innovative effort seem archaic. Branagh, as Henry V, dominates the action. The transformation of a cynical, unnecessary war into something noble in the eyes of those who follow Harry to France is marvelous. The opening scene has two prelates whispering about strategy to use in diverting Parliment from confiscating Church lands. (Historically, Lollard sympathizers did push such legislation.) Their possibly cynical use of Henry, in lending ecclesiastical support("The sin upon my head, dread Soverign.") to Henry's claim on the French throne, coupled with an offer of financial support, contrasts with the genuine piety that Henry shows on several occasions. Harry as warrior-king comes out in brilliant relief, too, before Harfleur, in red-faced fierceness appropriate for the speech demanding the town's surrender. The best part is the highlight of the play itself, arguably the best lines that Shakespeare wrote: the speech before the battle of Agincourt. Branagh's voice rings as he delivers a slightly shortened but mesmerizing ersion of this greatest of pep talks before the big game. The musical score is appropriately supportive in building and sustaining the emotion of the moment. This is also true of the chorous singing "Non Nobis" after the end of the battle. The commoners anticipate the casting in "Braveheart" in that they are gloriously dirty. Pistol, Bardolph, and Nym are so well-cast that it is a shame that the movie is a stand-alone and not a sequel to the "Henry IV" plays. Their humanity shines through in the humorous scenes, leaving them fully-formed, and not just comic figures. Pistol is portrayed somewhat differently than in the play, as the scene in which Fluellen makes him eat his words about St. Davey's Day are cut. He still comes across as a braggart, alebeit a likeable one. The French are classic "Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys," to use Bart Simpson's memorable phrase. As is the case in many films, you can tell the bad guys/those doomed to die by their bad hair. They alternately cower when Henry appears strong and are boastfully overconfident when he is weak. (Some of Harry's anti-French lines have been cut, with the effect of making him a more idealistic character.) Emma Thompson is very good as Harry's future Queen, but I must admit that the English lessons scene is one of my least-favorite parts of the play. Her other scene, at the signing of the peace treaty, is almost anti-climax, coming after Agincourt, although it does bring a smile when Harry kisses her, then pulls back quickly, saying, "Here comes your father," like a teenager caught in the act. The Henry V Branagh partrays is a democratic autocrat, who mixes well with the people, suffers their hardships in the field, and who enjoys their friendship. In contrast, none of the French commoners have a speaking line, and only Catherine's lady-in-waiting is even acknowledged by the Peers of France. This portrayal is very much in keeping with the idea of Henry V as the ideal king, a reasonable conclusion as to Shakespeare's intent. The effect of this movie on subsequent films is interesting. Echoes of the great speeches can be heard in "Renasence Man," which used the Agincourt speech in its climactic scene, in "Star Trek VI," which has a Kligon saying, "The game's afoot," (from the pep rally before the walls of Harfleur)as he goes into battle, and in the TBS movie, "The Rough Riders," which is themed with Agincourt quotes, and which arguably (and not unfairly)portrays Teddy Roosvelt as an American Henry V. In contrast, prior to the release of this film, I do not recall any quotes from this play appearing in other films. Beyond this, after Branagh, Shakespeare on film has never been the same - it's been better.
Rating:
Summary: The best screen adaptation of Shakespeare, bar none
Review: This, Branagh's first work, stands as his best. Though many compare it to Olivier's version, either favorably or no, this stands on it's own as a uniquely different presentation. While the rousing calls to arms, such as in the Crispin's Day speech, make you want to join the battle yourself, Henry's survey of the bloodied battlefield serves as a strong counterpoint in depicting the horrors of war.Some mention has been made of Derek Jacobi as a "contemporary" narrator, although this is no different than would have been the case in Shakespeare's time. Branagh maintains the King and his subjects in their own time, but his use of a modern chorus is no more anachronistic than one would have been in the Globe, as Shakespeare and Hal were themselves separated by over 100 years. The film makes the opening chorus monologue a miracle of understatement, as we no longer must heed the narrator's plea to "piece out imperfections with (our) thoughts", as the full splendor of the screen takes up where a stage rendition must "into a thousand parts divide one man". Nevertheless, Jacobi stirs our emotions before we even enter Hal's time. The cast Branagh picked is a who's who of modern Shakespeareans, and all round out their roles in fullness and emotion. This movie is Branagh's best, the greatest delivery of Shakespeare to the screen, and my all time favorite movie. Once more into the breach, my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Movie - 5 stars / DVD - 1 star
Review: Branagh's Henry V was the movie that put him in the forefront of Shakespearean movies and helped bring about a resurgence in Shakespearean productions. The cast consisted of some of the finest actors and the movie was done in a way that swept the viewer swiftly from scene to scene, without losing any of the depth invoked by the words and images. Unlike Olivier's Henry V (which, although great in its own right, was essentially a propaganda movie for World War II), Branagh paints Henry V as a dark and somber picture of what leaders must give up for the good of the people and the awful tragedies of war. I would certainly rank this as one of the top movies of all time. That being said, the dvd left a great deal to be desired. Although it was in widescreen and in stereo, both were also available on the videotape version. The sound has not been enhanced at all (only offering stereo sound rather than digital surround), which is a tragedy, as Patrick Doyle's score for the movie is both beautiful and haunting. No additions were made to the dvd other than the theatrical trailer (which I'm glad I didn't see before the movie - the music used in it was laughable). Cut scenes or Branagh explaining why he did certain things in the film (as he did in Dead Again) would certainly have added value to this. I can only hope that an enhanced version will be released at some later date. The only reason I can find to suggest buying this dvd over the videotape is that it is on dvd and will not wear like a videotape. This movie is certainly worth having and keeping and I encourage people to buy this, but do not expect any extras over the videotape version.
Rating:
Summary: Best Shakespeare, Best Henry, Best Branagh!
Review: I first saw this on PBS, and that was years ago. Ever see a movie, which no matter how many times you have seen it you just have to sit down and watch it if you come across it again. This is probably the most prominent movie in this category. As a Deaf person, buying videos is not high on my list of "I want.." However, I am a voracious reader, and I read Shakespeare early on in my life. This video stayed true to the story, and is Branagh's best work to date. I enjoyed Hamlet and Much Ado, but not to the extent of this movie. The acting was superb, the scenery glorious, and every thing was as close to perfect as I've ever seen in an adaptation of any book or play to movie format. This is the classic that will outlive all others. This will be the movie I will encourage deaf students to see with the captioning so they understand what Shakespeare was trying to say. I have always said I really do not have a favorite movie, since as a Deaf person I cannot enjoy them if they are not captioned and there are so many I have not seen. However, now that I think about it...this movie is definitely in my top five. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh
Rating: 
Summary: Different From Olivier, But Still Great!
Review: Laurence Olivier's "Henry V" is a timeless classic that is really hard to follow. Well, Branagh did the impossible. It is clear that he did not try to imitate Olivier, but rather he put his own touches in. It is interesting how he puts a contemporary narrator in, but he wisely leaves the story itself in its own time. Branagh portrays the military genious Henry V well, especially in his famous speeches from 3.1 and 4.3. He also portrays Henry V's finest moment well. (On the eve of the battle when he disguises himself as a soldier and shares the burdens and sorrows of his soldiers.) The scenery and background music is well done. For those of you who read my review on the book "Henry V," you will recall I gave it 4 stars. This movie in no way falls short of the book. This movie differs from Laurence Olivier's timeless classic, but it is only different. (Not worse.) I tip my hat to Branagh for not only portraying this play so well, but providing a worthy version that parallels Olivier's.
Rating:
Summary: THE Henry V to Own, at least for the present
Review: Almost every reviewer, and many buyers, are compelled to compare Branagh's HENRY V with Olivier's 1944 masterpiece. Give Olivier the win for imagination (starting the film onstage, and slowly moving to a more panoramic atmosphere) and for the battle scenes (Olivier's opening sequence of the French horses coming to a gallop across the fields, followed by the incredible black cloud of arrows into the French ranks is far more visceral than anything Branagh put together). But in every other aspect, Branagh beats Olivier hands down. His cast is uniformly superb (Derek Jacobi's Chorus is far more compelling than the bland Leslie Banks, while Ian Holm gets far more out of Captain Fluellan than Olivier's actor). Although both directors were stage veterans who cast their film with stage actors, it's Branagh's cast that takes the honors, and makes the play's language real and human, while Olivier's actors tend to remain in the reverence-for-the-Bard syndrome that undermines so many filmed versions of Shakespeare. It IS a shame that there are no extras on this DVD (Criterion's HENRY V has lots of fascinating extras), but until a more thorough version of Branagh's first film comes along (and surely it will -- it's a modern masterpiece), this is definitely THE HENRY V to own. And it's considerably cheaper than Olivier to boot!
Rating:
Summary: The Finest Shakespeare to date on film
Review: Mr. Branagh was in his twenties when he put this movie together,a blessing and a curse. The blessing in that it is a brilliant{the soundtrack is excellent],the curse, of course is the same that Orson Wells expierenced . Can He do it again?Shakespeare's henry is come a distance in this film from the fun loving Hal of henry the 4th, parts one and two. The movei opens with the insult form the French monarch,then proceed from there. Spies,subtefuge,vicious battle scenes, political intrigue and,all of it wrapped in as sweet poetry as the west has yet produced. The performances are uniformly excellent {though just seeing the great Paul Scofield is a pleasure}Heretical as it sounds, I never found Olivier's shakepeare to be anything extraordinary,and his Henry V looks silly in comparison.Branagh has never again touched the stars with his work{though moments of his Hamlet were sublime] .Little matter. This is fine, perhaps a classic,just short of a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Leadership Primer
Review: If only our leadership had read this play before bogging us down in Vietnam.This story works on so many different levels. I like to look at it as a profile in leadership. As a young prince Hal(a historian's conceit)is a real party animal. A drinker, womanizer, a real fun guy. But his time to wear the crown is coming and when it arrives he arises to the occassion. He's ruthless, driven, and unforgiving with those who betray him or disobey him - to include his former drinking buddies. But above it all Hal never loses site of his men. He leads them into battle, but he's always there with them. Though his cause may be questionable he stands with them in the mud and blood and they respond in kind. You see Hal never forgets that loyalty is a two way street. I dare say that our current "leaders" have forgotten that. They need to go to the part in the play where Henry in muffti talks to his soldiers. I wonder if they would understand the Farewell To Kings speech? Well anyway Branghs version is excellent. Though he made it on a shoestring budget it looks and feels like a big budget affair.The soundtrack is marvelous and the musical passages add to the movies power. I especially like the post battle sequence where Henry is carrying a body across the carnage of Crecy and there is a choir singing - it's a powerful moment. His battle sequence is dead on and does a wonderful job of portrying both the chaos and excitement of combat. For better or worse there are those who love combat and Branagh captures that essence. He also does a very good job showing the intense discomfort that accompanies soldiering. Strangely though he also shows why so many stay in the profession - its the sense of comradeship. All in all I like Branghs version over Oliver's. Yet, I am a product of my time. Oliver's version was made during WW2 and the comparison between Henry's campaign and the fight against the Nazis is obvious. Both are good versions, I just prefer Kenneth's.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: the boy king gets a girlfriend
Review: Will S. is a man of depth, even in this so-called 'lightweight' history play. Branagh, by being emotionally honest to the tone and tenor of the Middle Age minds he explores, fully reveals in this movie Shakespeare's juxtaposition of high-minded "duty and honor" with base "desire." As the riveting plot unfolds, we see ample of evidence of both: the latter in Hal's past pub-based lifestyle, the former in his actions hence. As King, Henry is the epitome of royal nobility and honor, even as it slowly becomes clear to us that the object of his actions--however noble in spirit--is essentially carnal, and therefore base. Branagh's take on the "Band of Brothers" speech is possibly the greatest version you will ever see. From Knute Rockne to Bill Murray to "Independence Day," no pep talk worth the name has failed to borrow from it.
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