Henry V

PG-13

10/6/19892h 17m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ The great adventure of a king who defied the odds to prove himself a man. ~

Overview:

In 1415, in the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$9,000,000.00

Revenue:

$10,161,211.00

Key words:

france
kingdom
theater play
based on true story
based on play or musical
hundred years' war
sword fight
honor
battlefield
historical
combat
medieval
king of england
historical drama
warrior
15th century

Cast

Kenneth Branagh

~ as ~

Henry V

Derek Jacobi

~ as ~

Chorus

Brian Blessed

~ as ~

Exeter

James Larkin

~ as ~

Bedford

Paul Scofield

~ as ~

French King

Emma Thompson

~ as ~

Katherine

Judi Dench

~ as ~

Mistress Quickly

Simon Shepherd

~ as ~

Duke Humphrey of Gloucester

James Simmons

~ as ~

Duke Edward of York

Charles Kay

~ as ~

Archbishop of Canterbury

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

DocTerminus
Written 3 year(s) ago
10
28 year old Kenneth Branagh really reached for the stars with HENRY V, his cinematic directorial debut. Quite often, a young director falls on their backside in ones first attempt at making film. Luckily for us, Henry V is nothing short of a triumph.

Branagh's directorial approach is ambitious and confident. Filled with high excitement - quite an accomplishment when staging a 400 year old stage play told completely through dialogue. His visual style certainly are more film than stage play, and his screenplay adaptation tightens the story, even with the inclusion of a scene that was originally from Shakespeare's HENRY IV Part 2 to clarify the story.

More amazing, Branagh also portrays the Young King in a tremendous interpretation of the role. Not only does his Harry fit organically into the story, his understanding of the language makes the story relatable to today's audiences without destroying the poetry.

Others in the regal cast include excellent performances by Emma Thompson and Derek Jacobi as the omnipresent Chorus. Many other performers will star in Branagh's later films as he seems to operate in a collaborative community approach.

The stunning musical score by Patrick Doyle cements what will become one of the greatest director / composer relationships. Brash and operatic, the score is as capable of supporting the many battles as well as the intimate romantic scenes.

Obviously, Branagh's HENRY V will be compared to Olivier's film - a production that has not aged as well for today's audiences. Olivier's production is bright and colorful with sets resembling a production of the Wizard of Oz. Branagh's film is gritty and dirty and brings viewer onto the bloody field of Agincourt.

On a personal level, Branagh's HENRY V was the first film that I watched in its entirety and stayed in my seat and watched it all the way through a second time. It shows that Shakespeare can be vibrant, entertaining and beautiful.