no-one does actually remember the men who fought at the battle of Agincourt, or the date (25th October, 1415). It's ironic how Henry says "from this day unto the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered, we few, we happy few," yet no-one does.
When this version of Henry V first came out, there was some interesting commentary about how Branaugh handled such a patriotic theme in our age, when patriotism is usually treated ironically. Many of them talked about how it is almost impossible to treat the "band of brothers" speech ironically, it is so stirring, even though most of the rest of the movie highlights the idea of war as a waste, not a glory.
Although few remember the date of Agincourt, much less the names of those who died or those who survived, the concept of Agincourt -- British pluck conquers more powerful but unrighteous foe -- has not been forgotten. It's commonly recognized as one of the characteristics of the British to be most admired.
I think Shakespeare gets a large part of the credit for Agincourt being remembered that way. Had he not written Henry V when he wrote it, the way he wrote it, Agincourt would be even less-known today. Olivier's version during WWII, consciously done to strengthen the nation's sense of patriotism and optimism (released in the UK after the failure of Market Garden and before the Battle of the Bulge) added to the cultural history that makes Agincourt a battle that IS long remembered, even though time is relentless in the way those who fight and die in war become nameless statistics or long rows of mute crosses, no matter how remarkable their courage and bravery.
However, even in the original play, which was consciously patriotic, Shakespeare's Chorus has the last word, ending with the sour note that the gains so bloodily made at Agincourt were reversed shortly later under Henry VI . . . .
Clementine: I'm a vindictive little bitch, truth be told!
I was thinking about how Olivier doing this in World War 2 gave the Brits a sense of being able to fight against the greatest odds and still win, so Shakespeare's play did have major effects some 400 years after he wrote it!
Oh, years ago I put Saint Crispin's day on my computer calendar, along with the Band of Brothers speech, so some of us do remember it! Too many people in this modern world don't remember, and just don't care, about much anything to do with history, which really is a shame!
I have to admit, had I not seen this film, I wouldn't know anything about the Hundred Year's War, Shakespeare, Henry V or the battle of Agincourt. It wasn't even a year since I first saw it, but now I'm crazy about all of the above things! Currently, I've seen the Branagh film version 16 times (yes, really!) and the Olivier version twice. All of my friends think that I'm really nerdy because I'm so into Shakespeare, and at school, history is one of my favourite lessons. This film has had a huge effect on me, and I can't thank Kenneth Branagh enough for making it.
Excellent. Yes, it's a great film, with a great battle scene, and Mr. Branagh nails the "Band of Brothers" speech perfectly. And Derek Jacobi as the chorus imparts such great authority and a little bit of melancoly. And Brian Blessed is one of the great actors. I'm glad you got turned on to Shakespeare and the era by this film. You can truthfully maintain that a film made your life more vibrant.
When I was in high school we were forced to read "Romeo and Juliet" and we couldn't stand reading what we thought were dry, dead words on a page; but then our teacher had us watch Franco Zefferelli's version of "Romeo and Juliet" and the actors made the words come alive. So yes, seeing Shakespeare makes the plays, and everything they are about, so much more colorful, more immediate, and more fun.
No-one remembers the date or the battle? think not, had the date and "let them achieve me and sell my bones" engraved on a silver tag and attached to my fencing bag. People forget the non dramatized battles more readily! Crecy [26/8/1346], Poitiers[19/9/1356], Sluys 24th June 1340- more complete a victory than Trafalgar!captured 166 captured ships with 24 escaped odds british 120-147 ships V's French 190 ships thats 21:27 losing 87%. [Trafalgar 27 V's 33 ships 9:11 lose 66% French/Spanish 22 ships no Brits lost] etc
After all the French won the 100 year war. Battle of Formigny and Castillion were 2 great french victories at the end of the 100 year war, but offcause english dont know of them because they lost.
I suppose the war would be remember better if it actually accomplished anything. As it is, in the long term that particular battle accomplished nothing, but left a lot of dead Frenchmen behind.
I was talking about the Henry in the film. I'm not thick, I don't genuinely believe Shakespeare had a time machine and wrote down word for word what was said.
I'm anespeptic, frasmotic, even compunctuous to have caused you such pericumbobulations...
Lets See, there is a book and an HBO miniseries about the US 101st airborne in WW2 named after the speech from the play. A pretty decent Danny Devito moive(Renasiannce Man) featured the speech as well.
I've always known it was 1415, because its easy to remember if you know Waterloo was 1815, but I was never taught any of this at school and I'm English! I never knew it was October 25 though, the Charge of the Light Brigade happened on that day too!