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Henry V [1989]
from Universal Pictures UK
starring Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Shepherd, James Larkin, Brian Blessed
directed by Kenneth Branagh

Features:

• Anamorphic
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Very few first-time film directors would have been capable of making such a triumphant adaptation of Henry V; but a still-youthful Kenneth Branagh's years of stage experience paid off handsomely and his 1989 version qualifies as a genuine masterpiece, the kind of film that comes along once in a decade. He eschews the theatricality of Laurence Olivier's stirring, fondly remembered 1945 adaptation to establish his own rules: Branagh plays it down and dirty, seeing the Bard's play through revisionist eyes, framing it as an anti-war story in contrast to Olivier's patriotic spectacle. Branagh gives us harsh close-ups of muddied, bloody men, and of himself as Henry, his hardened mouth and wilful eyes revealing much about the personal cost of war. Not that the director-star doesn't provide lighter moments: his scenes introducing the French Princess Katherine (Emma Thompson) trying to learn English quickly from her maid are delightful.

What may be the crowning glory of Branagh's adaptation comes when the dazed leader wanders across the battlefield, not even sure who has won. As King Hal carries a dead boy (a young Christian Bale) over the hacked bodies of both the English and French, a panorama of blood and mud and death greet the viewer as Branagh opens up the scene and Patrick Doyle's rousing hymn "Non nobis, Domine" provides marvellous counterpoint (like the director, the composer was another filmic first-timer). A more potent expression of the price of victory could scarcely be imagined. --Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Branagh at his best...
  Shakespeare's Henry V is lavish, poetic and dramatic. The plot is simple: Young Henry V lays claim to the French throne and invades France to claim it. The rag tag English army make their way through France conquering city after city. On their way to Calais, they are met by superior, better equipped and better trained French army at Agincourt.
  The English, aware of their inferior numbers and training, begin to despair. Henry V, the leader that he is, inspires his men in the famous words:
  If we are... more info

• The Psychological Cost of War
  Branagh's first screen version of a play by Shakespeare is still, in my opinion his best. It has often gained adverse criticism as being too like the RSC production in which he had recently starred and a pale imitation of Olivier's film. Neither comment is really fair though I wish Branagh had not followed Olivier's lead and been bold enough to include Henry's command during a tricky moment during the battle of Agincourt to "kill all the prisoners." Branagh does, however, grapple with the play's implied and... more info

• Not as good as Oliviers version!
  I bought this version with a completely open mind having previously seen the Olivier version.It has a brilliant cast of seasoned Shakespearian actors and whilst Branaghs direction is good it seems to have no "pace" unlike the other. The 1944 version also has a proliferation of superb actors but what clinched it for me was the reality of the battle scenes.

• Oh, for a muse of fire...
  For a first effort at feature-film direction, now-veteran director/writer/actor Kenneth Branagh provided an astonishing introduction to his many talents in filmmaking with his 1989 production, 'Henry V'. There is a gritty realism brought to the screen in this production that combines in dynamic and interesting ways with the Shakespearean dialogue and situations. The battle scenes are some of the best in cinema for depicting the kind of royal and knightly battles. A special commendation goes to... more info

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