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Henry V
1989
Kenneth Branagh makes his directorial debut and also plays the title role in HENRY V, an ambitious film that began a resurgence of interest in films of Shakespeare's plays. Henry is a young king seeking a way to make his mark on history. He gets his chance when he learns he can make a legal claim to the throne of France. He .. Read more
| Starring | Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench |
|---|---|
| Director | Kenneth Branagh |
| Genres | Drama |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Nearly a decade on, it's hard to recall the furore that greeted this film on its original release. Almost everyone compared first-time director Kenneth Branagh with Laurence Olivier, who made his own debut behind the camera with the same play 45 years earlier. The knives were clearly out for the pretender to Olivier's throne, yet he managed to produce a version that was as much of its time as Olivier's had been. Instead of the booming patriotism befitting the wartime flag-waver that was served up by Olivier, Branagh decided to focus on the savagery and futility of war. He thoroughly merited his best actor Oscar nomination: although the critics stood firmly behind Olivier's grandiloquence, Branagh gave the more subtle and rounded performance. His inclusion in the direction category, however, was more than a little flattering, as his showy use of camera and slow motion too often betrayed the naivety of the debutant. But that quibble aside, this is a solidly mounted production, with the contrasts between the finery of the court and the grime of the battlefield as striking as the excellent cast.
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Branagh adapted and directed this opus as well as starring, and he's found jobs for all his pals. Look, there's John... read more on Time Out
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A darker film than Olivier's, with which it can stand comparison, stressing the brutality of war.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Better than the first four Henry's!
This is William Shaekespeare's play, but Kenneth Brannagh's film. His use and change of the text together with his direction is superb. Some of the moments are a little laboured, showing Brannagh's inexperience - the battle scenes are no Braveheart, let alone return of the King. However, the scenes between himself and his then wife Emma Thompson as the princess are both touching and laugh out loud funny. Robbie Coltrane cast as Falstaff was genius and Ian 'Bilbo Baggins' Holme shows just what an excellent actor he is - quite brilliant.
If you like Shakespeare this is as good a version as you will see. If you don't like Shakespeare give it a miss. -
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Eyebrow
not my taste - too literary
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9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Henry V (1989)
I really hated this film. Boring heyond comprehension.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Eyebrow
not my taste - too literary
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14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Better than the first four Henry's!
This is William Shaekespeare's play, but Kenneth Brannagh's film. His use and change of the text together with his direction is superb. Some of the moments are a little laboured, showing Brannagh's inexperience - the battle scenes are no Braveheart, let alone return of the King. However, the scenes between himself and his then wife Emma Thompson as the princess are both touching and laugh out loud funny. Robbie Coltrane cast as Falstaff was genius and Ian 'Bilbo Baggins' Holme shows just what an excellent actor he is - quite brilliant.
If you like Shakespeare this is as good a version as you will see. If you don't like Shakespeare give it a miss.
-
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Better than the first four Henry's!
This is William Shaekespeare's play, but Kenneth Brannagh's film. His use and change of the text together with his direction is superb. Some of the moments are a little laboured, showing Brannagh's inexperience - the battle scenes are no Braveheart, let alone return of the King. However, the scenes between himself and his then wife Emma Thompson as the princess are both touching and laugh out loud funny. Robbie Coltrane cast as Falstaff was genius and Ian 'Bilbo Baggins' Holme shows just what an excellent actor he is - quite brilliant.
If you like Shakespeare this is as good a version as you will see. If you don't like Shakespeare give it a miss. -
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Eyebrow
not my taste - too literary
-
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Henry V (1989)
I really hated this film. Boring heyond comprehension.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Classically English
Brilliant, realistic, very enjoyable and marvellous music.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Step aside Olivier!
Branagh provides a more thoughtful, introspective Henry than Olivier, and I preferred the more balanced attention towards the waste and futility of war. To be fair, Olivier was directing 'the National Anthem in 5 acts' for consumption by a country involved in a war of national survival - his message had to be different. Branagh handles the soliloqys extremely well while Derek Jacobi's performance as the Chorus provides a haunting narration. I particularly enjoyed Richard Briars as Bardolf and Ian Holm as Fluellen. Yes, it always has the feel that this is a stage play transferred to film, but I do not think it suffers for that, Shakespeare was after all writing for this medium. All in all, a superb film!
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great for study but not so entertaining!
this was a brilliant adaptation of the play, as an english lit student it helped me a great deal, but other wise i would have easily dozed off! i prefer shakespeare's comedies, history, politics and violence just aren't my cup of tea. but that's just my taste. good quality film, and as always amazing chemistry between thomson and brannagh-just not enough of it!
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Wonderful interpretation
I really loved this film. The major speeches are inspiring and the women bits are really sexy. a great movie
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Outsanding Shakespeare Production
Battle signs and soundtrack are outstanding. Kenneth Branagh's direction is very good and not to many changes to the play
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Good solid shakespeare
Great cast, superbly performed, only the battle scene suffered a bit from 10 men in a field syndrom a bit.
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Henry V
Absolutely gripping and faithful to the text.
Critics' reviews (3)
-
Nearly a decade on, it's hard to recall the furore that greeted this film on its original release. Almost everyone compared first-time director Kenneth Branagh with Laurence Olivier, who made his own debut behind the camera with the same play 45 years earlier. The knives were clearly out for the pretender to Olivier's throne, yet he managed to produce a version that was as much of its time as Olivier's had been. Instead of the booming patriotism befitting the wartime flag-waver that was served up by Olivier, Branagh decided to focus on the savagery and futility of war. He thoroughly merited his best actor Oscar nomination: although the critics stood firmly behind Olivier's grandiloquence, Branagh gave the more subtle and rounded performance. His inclusion in the direction category, however, was more than a little flattering, as his showy use of camera and slow motion too often betrayed the naivety of the debutant. But that quibble aside, this is a solidly mounted production, with the contrasts between the finery of the court and the grime of the battlefield as striking as the excellent cast.
-
Branagh adapted and directed this opus as well as starring, and he's found jobs for all his pals. Look, there's John... read more on Time Out
-
A darker film than Olivier's, with which it can stand comparison, stressing the brutality of war.
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