is this a good movie?
any comments?
shareProbably one of Brannagh's best. I own a copy of it on VHS.
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MovieChat Forums > Henry V (1989) Discussion > is this a good movie?
It is a GREAT movie!
Forth Eorlingas!!
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Definitely worth buying on DVD. I have and love it. The acting, picture quality and sound quality are all exceptional.
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I agree completely. Easily one of the best Shakespeare adaptations ever made. Branagh is in complete genius mode, which is especially impressive considering this was (I believe) his directorial debut. The casting of Derek Jacobi as a modern day chorus is inspired; just as Laurence Olivier did in his "Henry V", Branagh has made this film not only a testament to Shakespeare's incredible writing ability but also it honors the performers that make plays such as "Henry V" a grand, sweeping piece of entertainment. Extraordinary sets, costumes, acting that sweeps you straight into the world of Shakespeare and an astounding debut score by Patrick Doyle that gives composer greats like John Williams and Alan Silvestri a reason to worry. The film is so radically different in tone and feeling than any other Shakespeare adaptation in film history that it is impossible not to acknowledge Branagh's genius and creativity.
A few minor quibbles that prevent a perfect score, however...the battle scenes are strikingly brutal yet not as powerful as they could have been. Choreographing a battle scene is an art all itself, and the long, slow-motion bits of fighting just don't cut it as far as epic film battles are concerned. Being his first film, it is no crime that Branagh faltered slighty on this account, as film battles challenge even the most experienced directors on a regular basis, and only occasionally are they complete successes on all accounts (see the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "Saving Private Ryan", "Braveheart" and "Glory").
All in all, though, a film that is exquisitely crafted; an impressive homage to Shakespeare,the world of the theater, and the power of the spoken word that will stand as a high water mark for stage-to-film adaptations for years to come.
Simply put, a masterpiece to the highest degree. 9/10.
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Yes but please remember that this is Shakespeare, not Stephen Crane ("The Red Badge of Courage"). The battle scene, though important to the plot, is not of central importance to the play itself - note that we didn't see any actual fightng at Harfleur.
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"Go watch Branagh's Henry V, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, and Love's Labour Lost."
Um, actually, go watch his Henry V, Othello, Much Ado, Hamlet, and avoid Love's Labours Lost at all costs.
--Kat
Othello isn't his, it's Oliver Parker's. Parker's cinematic sensibilities have improved greatly since then (see his Wilde films) but I found Othello very dull, despite three brilliant central performances: Parker's direction must bear the blame.
Love's Labour's Lost is a flawed film, but not nearly as awful as its detractors make out. It's actually kind of fun, though disappointing from such a master as Branagh (Henry V, Much Ado and Hamlet are all masterpieces, and I'm one of the few people I know who liked Frankenstein too). The real pity is that its failure has persuaded him to put off his Macbeth and As You Like It projects: he's said he still plans to film them, but not for several years.
I think what we meant by "Branagh's Othello" was the version with him. You can't be an avid Branagh fan without knowing what he's directed/produced/starred in... In any case, the way I've always felt about his LLL was that if you forget that he's in any way associated with it and pretend that it isn't Shakespeare, it's a tolerable film for what is left of it. It's just that it is Shakespeare and Branagh is associated with it. I feel that it's embarassing to both men --mediocre film or not.
Also, I can't say that I disagree about the "dull" feeling of that particular Othello film --I've even heard other people talk about it that way-- I'm just curious as to how much that really differentiates from the dark mood of the play itself in your opinion. What do you think could have been done, instead, to make it less dull --not to be snotty (I'm just genuinely curious).
--Kat
There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion.
I guess if you like Shakespeare and the way it´s written you will like the movie to. I didn´t enjoy it at all. I had a hard time trying to stay awake and not to use the fast forward button, but then again, I never read Shakespeare or Henry V. This is not Braveheart, and it never was meant to be. Its Shakespeare in all its glory (or wierdness :P ). The thing I thought was worst is the way they talk in this movie. But it is also the reason some people think its great (I guess).
shareAs Jabberdau, this isn'tBraveheart; thank God!. That wasn't history, that was Hollwood hokum.This is the undisputed master of the English language as he was mean to be seen and heard. Britsh cinema at its best, a class act all the way through, not a sour note in it.
shareWhen this particular version of Henry V came out, I saw it twice in the theater. I'm also happy to say that it has stood up beautifully over the years and stands with the best Shakespearean adaptations.
Note that I say "adaptation." Those of us who have seen the play will note some of the changes Branagh has made in the scenes, characters, plotlines, etc. The conception of the character of Fluellen (Ian Holm), for example, is one of the things that makes this sing. Fluellen seems to me to be the moral heart of the picture, a little bantam rooster of a man, a workaday soldier, and his presence is like a thread that runs through the picture.
That is not to say that the rest of the cast are slouches! Richard Briers (dirty and totally unrecognizable) puts in another excellent performance in a Shakespearean play, and Brian Blessed is all fire and vigor. John Sessions as Macmorris was a revelation.
There's also a nice scene for the late Michael Williams (Judi Dench's real-life husband).
Oh, do see this, if you haven't already.
I agee. Great movie. Of course, it's not for everyone, especially with the language they all speak. Yes, it's English, but spoken in a reeeeally old form. But even then, if you don't see it for the dialogue, at least see it for the battle. That battle 0wnzed. So did the "We few, we happy few" speech.
shareIt's excellent. Branagh's Shakesperian Work of art, alongside with the marvelous and stunning adaptation of Hamlet (1996). This is probably his best movie, although Dead Again is quite good too.
It is reasonable to say that Branagh is one of the biggest shakespearean of our times.
10 out of 10