MovieChat Forums > Henry V (1989) Discussion > Favourite scene?

Favourite scene?

posted 18 years ago by IsoldeJaneHolland
44 replies | jump to latest

I have three that I've seen many times. The glorious St.Crispin's Day
Speech of course, for many the highlight of this play since it was
written. The horrible walk across the devestation of the battlefield
as Non Nobis soars on the soundtrack. And the wonderful and witty wooing
of Princess Catherine of Valois. We really needed that to relax after
those harrowing Agincourt scenes. All so lovely, every second. "Oh Kate,
nice customs curtsy to great kings" "Any more French will hang upon my
tongue like a new married wife around her husband's neck, hardly to be
shook off". It's a great scene.

But does anyone else think Katherine's lady-in-waiting might fancy him
a bit herself? Just a little!

[–] colonel_green 18 years ago

My favourite scene is the Saint Crispin's Day Speech, which can be watched by itself and still be inspiring. The score is fantastic as well.

Another great scene is Henry's trap for the three traitors, filmed very claustrophobically. Again, really strong music, and Branagh captures perfectly Henry's demeanor throughout the scene.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] australian_idiotgdr 18 years ago

I love the St Crispian's Day speech and I am lucky enough to be performing this speech in a few weeks. The music is simply amazing and I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get the music from that scene or what the song is called, or what the song is and where I can get it or if anyone has the soundtrack could they send the song to me as backup?

IN short, if anyone knows where I can get the music from this scene it would be greatly appreciated, thankyou!

[–] indiefilm-1 18 years ago

Branagh is absolutely awesome!

Two scenes

1) Act I - Scene II
Branagh's pace in this scene is one of impending doom. I love it!
KING HENRY V
For God doth know how many now in health
Shall drop their blood in approbation
Of what your reverence shall incite us to.
Therefore take heed how you impawn our person,
How you awake our sleeping sword of war

...

KING HENRY V
May I with right and conscience make this claim?

CANTERBURY
The sin upon my head dread sovereign.

2) Act IV - Scene1
The night before the battle of Agincourt when Henry V in disguise find the morale of his army and then makes the following speech:

KING HENRY V
O God of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts;
Possess them not with fear; take from them now
The sense of reckoning, if the opposed numbers
Pluck their hearts from them. Not to-day, O Lord,
O, not to-day, think not upon the fault
My father made in compassing the crown!
I Richard's body have interred anew;
And on it have bestow'd more contrite tears
Than from it issued forced drops of blood:
Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay,
Who twice a-day their wither'd hands hold up
Toward heaven, to pardon blood; and I have built
Two chantries, where the sad and solemn priests
Sing still for Richard's soul. More will I do;
Though all that I can do is nothing worth,
Since that my penitence comes after all,
Imploring pardon.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] brownblur 17 years ago

John Rhys-Davies???

That, sir, was BRIAN BLESSED, portraying the Earl of Exeter

The needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the One?... S*d that, we're doing it MY way!

[–] amberoelliott 17 years ago

OOOOoooo off the top of my head and in order…

- Derek Jacobi opening speech (actually all his speeches I love his voice)
- ‘Tennis Balls my Liege’ cracking line! Everyone looking at Henry thinking what’s he going to do to this insult!
- Judy Dench’s ‘cold as any stone’ when describing Falstaff’s dead body. Makes me cry every time, with the focus on her and the camera gently moving towards her. So simple and so good.
- Everyone reaction to Blessed’s line ‘for if you hide the crown
Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it:' Dauphin’s face is a picture!
- The ‘half-achieved Harfleur’ speech, which I have to say is my favourite of all the big Henry V speeches, it’s just so visual and I think Branagh’s best.
- Emma’s French scene! As a child I used to love this scene, I still think I learnt a lot of my pre school French from this scene!
- Pre battle prayer. ‘not to-day, O Lord, O, not to-day. God this guy is good.
- St. Crispin’s Day. Not my favourite but wonderful all the same.
- The battle, especially ‘hold’hold’
- Carrying boy across the battle field. So sad.
- Fluellen’s ‘if your majesties is
remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a
garden where leeks did grow’ I love Ian Holm…
- The whole proposal scene is hilarious and very sexy. Great ending after all the mud and blood.

God all this listing has made me want to go and watch Henry V again right now!

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

classic dench.

You stay classy, San Diego.

[–] tbonesays 10 years ago

Before imdb I thought Rhys-Davies and Blessed were the same man.

[–] roghache 18 years ago

My favourite scene is of course the St. Chrispin's Day speech. It's one of Shakespeare's genuine masterpieces.

[–] wehappyfew 18 years ago

My husband and I loved the St. Crispin's Day speech so much that our second son's middle name is Crispin! I guess my user name gives me away too!!

[–] roghache 18 years ago

wehappyfew, I'm going to have to tell my teenage son we aren't the only crazy ones out there! My son loved this movie and this speech so much that we celebrate St. Crispin's Day in our household on October 25 with a St. Crispin's cake. Can you believe it?

Before some smart messenger remarks that we need to get a life, I will assure one and all that we do indeed have a life apart from St. Crispin!

[–] jmrapp 16 years ago

we drink english beer, eat leeks, and wear unusual shoes at our annual Henry V/ St Crispins party (did you know Crispin was the patron saint of footwear)

[–] wehappyfew 18 years ago

Thanks roghache! Nice to know that we aren't the only ones that were so moved by this scene!!

[–] ajb7876 18 years ago

the best scene in this movie to my mind is the arrest of the three traitors,"why how now gentlemen,what see you in those papers that you lose so much complexion?"and that stunned guilty look as they realise that they"ve been sussed and the game"s up.And of course the speech Henry gives on the morning before the Battle of Agincourt still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

[–] macbethp 18 years ago

What a delight to learn that there are others who celebrate St. Crispin's Day! I actually have two separate groups of friends who have St. Crispin's Day parties (guess I must attract these people). We watch Mr. Branagh's movie and have pseudo Elizabethan-era food.
One of my MANY favorite scenes is the wooing scene. King Henry kisses Kate, then the quick glance, "here comes your father" and retreat! Terrific.

[–] roghache 18 years ago

It was wonderful to read you post, macbethp. We thought here we might be just a tad strange with our enthusiasm for St. Crispin's Day. Your parties sound fabulous!

[–] Librarianjoe 18 years ago

I have to put aside the St Crispin speech, because not only is it the best scene in the movie, it is one of the best in any movie ever made.

Beside that then, I love the beginning when the two bishops try to convince Henry that war with France has its moral dimension. Charles Kay, with the "lineal of the Lady Ermengarde" speech is superb and I love the moment when he says, "The sin upon my head, dread sovereign." Excellent, and viewed a number of times every time I pop the DVD in.

Also: Bardolph's hanging; "Harry. . . LeRoy" and "Knowest thou Fluellen?"; and Richard Easton's line readings.

[–] gallentx 18 years ago

I agree with all the enthusiasm for the St. Crispin's speech. I also have always found the march through the field after the battle very moving. In and of itself, it is powerful, but the Non Nobis score just puts it over the top.

The entire movie is just incredibly well done.

[–] stryker492 18 years ago

Of course, the St. Crispins speech and Non Nobis. After that speech, I'd follow him into battle too.

Faith can move mountains, but dynamite works better.

[–] beh-2 18 years ago

The St Crispin's Day speech always gives me goosebumps. I love Pat Doyle's music and the way it changes from a minor, sinister tone at "if we are marked to die, we are enough to do our country loss..." to a major, uplifting one at "and if to LIVE, the fewer men, the greater share of honour!"

I also love any of Derek Jacobi's Chorus speeches and the wooing of Katherine.

[–] judy_moon_54 18 years ago

my favorite scenes are the usual suspects, but i also have a real fondness for Pistol' farewell to Nell.
and can anyone think of a better entrance in a movie than the one in actI that Brannaugh gives Henry-backlit and framed in that huge doorway?

[–] Kingum2341 18 years ago

I have three that I've seen many times. The glorious St.Crispin's Day
Speech of course, for many the highlight of this play since it was
written. The horrible walk across the devestation of the battlefield
as Non Nobis soars on the soundtrack.

I like those best too.

I also like the little speech Bilbo "ahem" Ian Holmes gives about a "Garden, where leeks did grow."

[–] megand101 18 years ago

My favorite scene is after St.crispins battle when a solider starts to sing Non Nobis Domine and when people are taking the bodies of the dead and piling them up. That scene had alot of emotion in it I guess you vould say.

[–] tbonesays 10 years ago

Hello 2006.

someday I'm going to learn Latin to translate that one.

[–] ArkadyRenko 18 years ago

I might repeat what so many people have already said before, but it has to be the Saint Crispin Crispian's Day Speech.

I knew nothing of the play per se when i saw the film (knew what the play was about, but not it in itself). andn i have to say, by the time that speachj happens, i was already impressed with the film. but that scene, that speach, which, to beging with, is brillant, and Kenneth Branagh delivers it so brillantly, i was in awe!

The battle scenes are also very good too.

The other scene that migth match in intensity with the Saint Crispin's speach is one that, ironically, has no dialogue at all, the long travelogue shot, without sound, only music, when Brannagh's King Henry carries the young kid played by Christian Bale all the way through the battlefield to the wheelcart that has all the boys killed in the battle.

"There is no Seyser Koze!!!" Gabriel Byrne blunder while filming The Usual Suspects.