Directed by:
Kenneth BranaghCinematography:
Kenneth MacMillanComposer:
Patrick DoyleCast:
Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, Simon Shepherd, Brian Blessed, Charles Kay, Alec McCowen, Ian Holm, John Sessions, Robbie Coltrane, Christian Bale, Judi Dench (more)VOD (4)
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Kenneth Branagh writes, directs and stars as the eponymous king in this adaptation of Shakespeare's play. The young King Henry V of England (Branagh), his days of carousing behind him, is advised of his legal claim to the French throne by leaders of the English Church. He decides to invade the country with his small and somewhat ragtag army, taking on the massed might of King Charles VI (Paul Scofield)'s French forces who outnumber their English counterparts five to one. (ITV DVD)
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Branagh's best adaptation of Shakespeare, I'd almost bet my head on that! The story of Prince Henry, who became king and rejected the past in the name of England, is monumental, impressive, full of Shakespearean doubts about the royal destiny, full of sheer emotion. And, of course, precise and inventive direction, as well as Branagh's riveting portrayal of a young king who convinces Europe of his abilities. The scene of the King's speech before the seemingly lost battle with Dauphin is so unique that world cinema is hard pressed to surpass it – in its shadow, king Theoden and William Wallace are merely pathetic babblers. I don't think anyone's ever going to write it like this again... Branagh was born for Shakespeare, and Henry V just proves it...
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