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Henry V (1989)

Henry V (1989)
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Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play, young king of England Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king's son, Dauphin (Michael Maloney), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback, Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane), Bardolph (Richard Briers), Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings), Pistol (Robert Stephens), and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile, Henry and his captain, Fluellen (Ian Holm), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops, yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle, Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Starring:
Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, (more)
Director(s):
Kenneth Branagh
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Henry V

Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play, young king of England Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king's son, Dauphin (Michael Maloney), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback, Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane), Bardolph (Richard Briers), Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings), Pistol (Robert Stephens), and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile, Henry and his captain, Fluellen (Ian Holm), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops, yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle, Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
138 mins

Complete Cast of Henry V


Director(s):
Kenneth Branagh
Writer(s):
Kenneth Branagh
Producer(s):
Bruce Sharman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13(Questionable for Children, War Violence)
Categories:
Independent Films
Henry V Awards:
  • 1989 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Director
  • 1990 - European Film Academy - Best Young European Film
  • 1990 - European Film Academy - Best Actor
  • 1989 - National Board of Review - Best Director
  • 1989 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best New Director
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    Miguel G.

    I loved the interpretation, the acting and the music. It is sad to see how impatient people are with intelligent dialogue and plot development. Too many words???? Tell that to Shakespeare. It's like telling Mozart "too many notes."

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    Shannon B.

    Branagh's *Henry V* is just about as near perfect as Shakespeare on film can get. Unlike Olivier, whose overly patriotic and nationally sentimental version followed quickly on the heels of the Allied victory in WWII, Branagh deftly explores the conflicts and ambiguities of leadership. He splices in scenes from *Henry IV*, Parts 1 and 2, as flashback sequences with the morally shady and cowardly Falstaff and company to illustrate Henry's reluctant abandonment of his former friends in favor of his new duties. Branagh's rendition also illustrates the necessity of both military conquest and courtship (Henry's scenes with Katherine reveal his humor and vulnerability--Olivier seemed arrogant and patronizing) in winning over a nation. Though he is more liberal with his script editing, Branagh better captures the nuance and thematic subtlety of Shakespeare's play than his predecessors.

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    Ken B.

    A great adaptation! Branagh's use of Chorus (Derek Jacobi, who is superb with Shakepeare) as a modern "stage director" works. In addition to skilled battle scenes that wowed me, I had several favorite moments: the hanging of Bardolph (Richard Briers), the moving St. Crispin's Day Speech at the Battle of Agincourt, and the hilarity of Katherine (Emma Thompson) learning english words. This is one of Shakespeare's greatest works, and it is excellently executed here!

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