Henry V (1989)No king ever ruled a kingdom that was not comprised of people, but only the most outstanding kings came to know those people. Henry V (1989) is an adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare of the same name, detailing a dramatic history of the King of England, Henry V, and his campaign to conquer France. Directed by Kenneth Branagh--who also stars as Henry V--the film takes the plot and verse of the acclaimed stage play and infuses it with a cinematic spirit. Henry V combines the drama of the stage play with silver screen conventions, complimenting the strengths of each as only the best adaptations of Shakespeare can accomplish.
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Although already an accomplished and lauded thespian, Henry V represented Kenneth Branagh's directorial debut; it is a serious interpretation of one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, infused with modern cinematic sensibilities. This is significant, because like the king he portrays, there is an overwhelming earnestness to Branagh's film, and the audience that understands this will draw inescapable comparisons between the seemingly herculean effort of Henry's invasion of France and Branagh's own reinvention of the cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare. This is not to say that there have not been magnificent representations of the Bard's oeuvre before this, but Henry V is a film that is refreshing, captivating, and--for modern audiences--made easy to understand given the archaic language. Simply put, the magic of a successful adaptation comes from the ability to make Shakespeare as exciting and fresh as it was hundreds of years ago, which Henry V more than succeeds in doing. Rather than deliver a strictly rigid interpretation of the play as it exists on paper, Branagh frames the story of Henry V by turning the role of the Chorus--essentially a narrator, played by frequent collaborator of Branagh's, Derek Jacobi--into a contemporary character, who literally sets the stage for the audience as part stage director, part historian. Even in this opening gambit, which runs the risk of shrinking the story down into a microcosm of historical drama, the move is an acknowledgment of the rich pedigree of both the play and the history of this pivotal moment for England. The Chorus also serves as a contemporary guide through this era, like a metaphorical safety net for those unfamiliar with Shakespeare or period dramas. It is only the first of many deft maneuvers by Branagh, who like Henry V, takes the helm in bridging the classical with the contemporary, the noble with the everyday people, who all mutually crave entertainment.
Branagh's complex portrayal of the controversial king is explored in Henry V. His characterization is sometimes soft and gentle, and at others full of fire and fury. Part of the secret to understanding Henry's motivations comes with the realization that Henry V is, in fact, a sequel...or rather, it is the end of the story of Henry V that began in "Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2", where Henry went by the name of "Hal", and spent his days galavanting around with disreputable characters, like the gregarious John Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane). While Henry's campaign to claim France from the likes of the arrogant Dauphin (Michael Maloney) progresses, another story follows Hal's former acquaintances, rogues and ne'er-do-wells who enlist in Henry's army following the passing of Falstaff. The wistful recollections of this forgotten band are about their happier days, when Hal and Falstaff and the rest would joke and drink and laugh; it is like an elegy for the past. Their presence in the film superficially suggests that Henry has discarded his past in favor of glory as the King of England. But a deeper look reveals how Henry has prospered from the time he spent among the common folk--he has come to understand more complex values by being among those who are more comfortable indulging in vice. Henry understands more as a king because he has lived as a "commoner"; few of his comrades can claim this, and none of his French rivals can, given the arrogance with which they carry themselves on the eve of battle. Henry becomes an enigmatic--even inscrutable--figure at times, but only for those who do not make the connection between these episodes of his past and his current involvement in the politics of high court. His experience at seeing through the roguish deceit of men like Falstaff may make it look as though Henry has had to harden his heart, but it also gives him the necessary vigilance to see through the betrayal of some of his most trusted vassals. Henry walks among his men on the eve of the legendary Battle of Agincourt in a cloak, so that he may learn of the true morale of his men, avoiding the false pretenses demanded by his position in favor of honest criticism. When Henry V is first introduced, he is as much draped in shadow as he is his royal vestments, implying the complex ambiguity of the king's motivations and values--demanding a closer inspection of this multifaceted man. Some would describe Henry V as a warmonger, set on the warpath by spurious counsel and cajoled like a mad dog after a taunt on his manhood by the Dauphin. Others may look upon him as hardened, having "lost his heart" after giving up his relationship with Falstaff. There is a haunting scene in which Henry looks on in the rain as a former scoundrel from his younger days is hanged for stealing from a church. He does not step in to speak in his defense, because at this point in Henry's life, he has taken too much pride in his nation to encourage such villainous behavior from his men. He sees nepotism and favoritism as a poison to be purged, a weakness his army has no room for should they wish to remain virtuous--to wear the armor of God--so crucial to their decisive battle to come in Agincourt.
Henry is the royal equivalent of the prodigal son; in the preceding "histories" (as Shakespeare's plays about the history of England's kings are called), it was only at the end of his father's life when he finally put aside his "childish things" to assume the throne and become the man he was meant to be. Henry has much to prove, and a campaign to claim what his ancestor had ostensibly won--that is, the crown of France--becomes his mission...to prove to himself and the whole of the world that he is a true king. The question becomes whether Henry does this solely for glory or for the pride in his nation; Branagh's portrayal of Henry suggests the latter, with a heartfelt dedication to see his people uplifted to the glory he believes they deserve. This "countenance of Mars" flows through Henry to deliver some truly impassioned and rousing speeches to his men, in turn leading them to triumph against the French, even when the odds are horribly against them. Arguably the most stirring moment in Henry V--maybe the most stirring in all of Shakespeare--is the "St Crispin's Day Speech", which bolsters his army to miraculously emerge victorious against five times as many French knights and soldiers, who are well-rested and armored. In addition to the powerful musical score by Patrick Doyle that accompanies it, the speech is significant because it speaks of how the king and his soldiers are all going to fight together as a "band of brothers". It is a moment that is bound in blood, one that acknowledges that those who fight beside him are his equal--a claim that none other but Henry can truly make after having lived on their side of the proverbial fence. The speech is the culmination of all of Henry's wisdom gleaned from his past exploits and the lessons he has learned on this campaign. It is the disclosure of his heart to the men who will actually fight by his side, preparing to die for him and for the legacy he has promised. It is that rare, magical moment where all of the pieces of one's life fit together and make sense, and Branagh makes this abundantly clear in this magnificent adaptation, infusing life into the play, making it as fresh and riveting as ever.
Recommended for: Fans of a bold and thrilling adaptation of Shakespeare, with royal drama and medieval action, clever wit, and stirring speeches that would swell a sense of patriotism and bravery in any audience.
Branagh's complex portrayal of the controversial king is explored in Henry V. His characterization is sometimes soft and gentle, and at others full of fire and fury. Part of the secret to understanding Henry's motivations comes with the realization that Henry V is, in fact, a sequel...or rather, it is the end of the story of Henry V that began in "Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2", where Henry went by the name of "Hal", and spent his days galavanting around with disreputable characters, like the gregarious John Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane). While Henry's campaign to claim France from the likes of the arrogant Dauphin (Michael Maloney) progresses, another story follows Hal's former acquaintances, rogues and ne'er-do-wells who enlist in Henry's army following the passing of Falstaff. The wistful recollections of this forgotten band are about their happier days, when Hal and Falstaff and the rest would joke and drink and laugh; it is like an elegy for the past. Their presence in the film superficially suggests that Henry has discarded his past in favor of glory as the King of England. But a deeper look reveals how Henry has prospered from the time he spent among the common folk--he has come to understand more complex values by being among those who are more comfortable indulging in vice. Henry understands more as a king because he has lived as a "commoner"; few of his comrades can claim this, and none of his French rivals can, given the arrogance with which they carry themselves on the eve of battle. Henry becomes an enigmatic--even inscrutable--figure at times, but only for those who do not make the connection between these episodes of his past and his current involvement in the politics of high court. His experience at seeing through the roguish deceit of men like Falstaff may make it look as though Henry has had to harden his heart, but it also gives him the necessary vigilance to see through the betrayal of some of his most trusted vassals. Henry walks among his men on the eve of the legendary Battle of Agincourt in a cloak, so that he may learn of the true morale of his men, avoiding the false pretenses demanded by his position in favor of honest criticism. When Henry V is first introduced, he is as much draped in shadow as he is his royal vestments, implying the complex ambiguity of the king's motivations and values--demanding a closer inspection of this multifaceted man. Some would describe Henry V as a warmonger, set on the warpath by spurious counsel and cajoled like a mad dog after a taunt on his manhood by the Dauphin. Others may look upon him as hardened, having "lost his heart" after giving up his relationship with Falstaff. There is a haunting scene in which Henry looks on in the rain as a former scoundrel from his younger days is hanged for stealing from a church. He does not step in to speak in his defense, because at this point in Henry's life, he has taken too much pride in his nation to encourage such villainous behavior from his men. He sees nepotism and favoritism as a poison to be purged, a weakness his army has no room for should they wish to remain virtuous--to wear the armor of God--so crucial to their decisive battle to come in Agincourt.
Henry is the royal equivalent of the prodigal son; in the preceding "histories" (as Shakespeare's plays about the history of England's kings are called), it was only at the end of his father's life when he finally put aside his "childish things" to assume the throne and become the man he was meant to be. Henry has much to prove, and a campaign to claim what his ancestor had ostensibly won--that is, the crown of France--becomes his mission...to prove to himself and the whole of the world that he is a true king. The question becomes whether Henry does this solely for glory or for the pride in his nation; Branagh's portrayal of Henry suggests the latter, with a heartfelt dedication to see his people uplifted to the glory he believes they deserve. This "countenance of Mars" flows through Henry to deliver some truly impassioned and rousing speeches to his men, in turn leading them to triumph against the French, even when the odds are horribly against them. Arguably the most stirring moment in Henry V--maybe the most stirring in all of Shakespeare--is the "St Crispin's Day Speech", which bolsters his army to miraculously emerge victorious against five times as many French knights and soldiers, who are well-rested and armored. In addition to the powerful musical score by Patrick Doyle that accompanies it, the speech is significant because it speaks of how the king and his soldiers are all going to fight together as a "band of brothers". It is a moment that is bound in blood, one that acknowledges that those who fight beside him are his equal--a claim that none other but Henry can truly make after having lived on their side of the proverbial fence. The speech is the culmination of all of Henry's wisdom gleaned from his past exploits and the lessons he has learned on this campaign. It is the disclosure of his heart to the men who will actually fight by his side, preparing to die for him and for the legacy he has promised. It is that rare, magical moment where all of the pieces of one's life fit together and make sense, and Branagh makes this abundantly clear in this magnificent adaptation, infusing life into the play, making it as fresh and riveting as ever.
Recommended for: Fans of a bold and thrilling adaptation of Shakespeare, with royal drama and medieval action, clever wit, and stirring speeches that would swell a sense of patriotism and bravery in any audience.