Heinrich V. (1989)

Heinrich V.: Directed by Kenneth Branagh. With Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, Simon Shepherd, James Larkin. In the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.

“u0026quot;Henry Vu0026quot; marks Kenneth Branaghu0026#39;s greatest achievement to date. Branagh not only directs this rich and visually stunning film, he stars as the title character. The movie opens with Derek Jacobi (Branaghu0026#39;s Shakespearean mentor) in modern garb passionately delivering the prologue. Then we are taken into the dark, dank rooms of Henryu0026#39;s castle. The king makes his dramatic entrance, complete with a Darth Vader style cape. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe entire film is filled with grandeur and pomp, with any faults in the story line being attributable more to Shakespeare himself than Branagh. Henry V as I remember it from my college English class is a decidingly pro-British play (and film). There is little question that France should be conquered, and Henry speaks of his war against France as if it were France that attacked England. Indeed, Henryu0026#39;s famous u0026quot;St. Chrispinu0026#39;s day speechu0026quot; is so rousing, that it has been quoted often and inspired the name of the u0026quot;Band of Brothersu0026quot; miniseries about World War II. This is no surprise, since Shakespeareu0026#39;s prose is famously beautiful.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is definitely a difference in the way that both sides of the conflict are presented. The French, at least in Branaghu0026#39;s movie are presented as arrogant (and somewhat effeminate), while on the side of the English, even children are filled with manly courage. Henry is presented as noble, fair, and merciful. True he threatens the mayor of one French town, telling him that if he does not surrender the town, the English will do terrible things to its residents, but does not carry out his threat. He also hangs the one English soldier who steals from a French church, refusing to show favoritism for him just because he was his friend. Apparently mercy towards your own countrymen was not a virtue that Henry saw particularly important.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe films greatest attribute is its soundtrack, particularly the use of music in the scene following the battle of Agincourt in which the warring parties collect their dead for burial.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, a fascinating look inside the mind of a king.”