Synopsis
The great adventure of a king who defied the odds to prove himself a man.
Gritty adaption of William Shakespeare's play about the English King's bloody conquest of France.
1989 Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Gritty adaption of William Shakespeare's play about the English King's bloody conquest of France.
Kenneth Branagh Derek Jacobi Brian Blessed James Larkin Paul Scofield Emma Thompson Judi Dench Simon Shepherd James Simmons Charles Kay Alec McCowen Fabian Cartwright Stephen Simms Jay Villiers Ian Holm Danny Webb Michael Williams Jimmy Yuill Paul Gregory Edward Jewesbury John Sessions Shaun Prendergast Richard Briers Robbie Coltrane Christian Bale Geraldine McEwan Michael Maloney Richard Clifford David Parfitt Show All…
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Going into this film I was a little concerned since I've never seen Henry I - IV, but I was able to follow along
Kenneth Branagh: Everyone smear more mud on yourselves! More! And get it on your faces! This movie needs to be muddier! Muddier!
I hate these foreign-language films. And the English subtitles didn't make much sense either.
When it comes to directors breaking into the industry with a debut that puts many veterans to shame, Kenneth Branagh is never mentioned or considered, despite the fact that he should be in the top ten.
Indeed, his debut picture, a film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Henry V, is among the best cinematic adaptations of the Bard's work. There are films that cost about a hundred million dollars that don't come close to the immersiveness of this film, like just the sheer ambition and scope on exhibit here is astounding and breathtaking. The idea that something of this magnitude was done for only nine million (around twenty-two million now) is more than astonishing, looking even more expensive on screen.…
The best scenes in Henry V (which by all accounts is a Kenneth Branagh show) are not the famous speech at the siege of Harfleur ("Once more unto the breach..."); or Henry's incognito, nocturnal wanderings in the English camp as he takes stock of his host; racked with doubt and grappling with the moral burden of his decisions.
No - the best scenes are the ones with Katherine, played by the ever luminous Emma Thompson. The first, almost entirely in French and devoid of subtitles, where the princess is learning English with her lady in-waiting. Thompson, so gleefully expressive and vibrant, there's little need for a translation as we're completely swept up in her energy. The second; the final scene…
Henry V
“If we are to represent Shakespeare by only one play, it ought to be the complete “Henry IV” plays.” Harold Bloom, Literary Scholar (1)
Kenneth Branagh was in his 20s when he made Henry V, his first feature film, and he was already being anticipated to be the next Laurence Olivier: a classically trained actor who could make Shakespeare accessible to contemporary audiences. Instead, as an actor, Branagh moved into a career of acting in Hollywood films and British TV, while occasionally returning to the stage. As a director, he stayed committed to adapting Shakespeare, directing 4 other Shakespeare films, but also directed films in other genres. Like Lawrence Olivier, Branagh wrote the script, directed and acted in…
From the beginning with the moody, medieval, torchlit halls to Branagh gloriously delivering the St. Crispin’s Day Speech, this remains one of the best and most assured directorial debuts of all time. Memorable and upbeat score you’ll be humming hours later while reciting “once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more” to yourself and your pets.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." ~ King Henry V
If you enjoy Shakespearean drama, you couldn't ask for a much better portrayal of the Bard's craft than this directorial debut by Kenneth Branagh. It contains one of the most stirring calls to arms ever delivered to soldiers about to go into battle, one of the bloodiest, muddiest and most frustrating medieval combat scenes ever filmed, a marriage proposal worthy of high comedy, and a cast full of stars that would honor any stage. It's simply a gripping drama.
Branagh himself takes the lead as young Henry V, recently enthroned in London and ready…
how can one man be so brilliant at adapting shakespeare but so shit at adapting agatha christie? after playing henry v, hamlet and iago why is poirot too much for him??? kenneth branagh is such a mystery
Based on an extraordinary Shakespeare play with a great historical value, Henry V is Kenneth Branagh's definitive masterpiece. Famous in the 90's for directing some Shakespeare masterworks such as Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and Hamlet (1996), Henry V is his best film, not only as a director, but his best work as an actor.
As any cultured person should know, Henry V tells the story of the British king who is insulted by the king of France, making him lead his army against France in the beginning of the 15th Century, culminating in the Battle of Algincourt. The film received 3 Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role, winning only…