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Actors: Kenneth Branagh,Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Alec McCowen
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Henry V |
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Based on history and the plays by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V" is the story of the young English king who makes war with France to rouse his nation and to complete his transition from playful prince to powerful monarch. High church officials and advisors, eager at the chance for war with France, find enough excuses in the technicalities of regal law. The French throne passed through the hands of a woman and is illegimate, they argue. The young king, still seen by many of his subjects (and close friends) as "Hal," the carousing and carefree prince, seizes war as an opportunity to remake his image and live up to the glorious memories of his ancestors. The French are defiant and confident. To them, the boy king poses no great threat and the Dauphin taunts Henry with a gift of tennis balls. The army departs for the French coast, and Henry is cruelly just with two traitors. At Harfleur he is an inspiring and victorious field commander. Later, he is again cruelly just when he orders the execution of an old acquaintance accused of looting. The plot builds to the great battle at Agincourt, where the English army, enobled by Henry's appeal to the "band of brothers," smashes the larger French army and cavalry. The English inflict great casualities and receive few. French atrocities, including the murdering of the young squires, does not prevent Henry from treating his vanquished foes with mercy and dignity. At parley with the French king, he takes the crown but insists on wooing princess Katherine. He will not take what he can persuade. Asked why she should marry the enemy of France, silver-tongued Harry, now all matured, says that he is no enemy of France, but that he loves it so that he will not part with a piece of it. There engagement is announced, the Chorus gives an epilogue, fade to black, the credits roll ...
--M. Schreiner, Resident Scholar
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This was Kenneth Branagh's first Shakespeare movie, a very successful war movie. Young King Henry V, having recently assumed the throne of England, is urged by the church to claim the crown of France. The French Dauphin sends him an insult, so he decides to go to war. he proves himself to be a brave and forthright leader, leaving the irresponsibilities of his youth behind, and leading the English to great victories at Harfleur and Agincourt. He also successfully woos the Princess of France. Really good and bloody battle scene.
--Zorikh Lequidre, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Henry V |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 30%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Time/Era of Movie:
- middle ages
Legal/Political Thriller?
Yes
Political Plotlets:
- managing/preventing conflict with other nations
War Thriller
Yes
Armed Forces:
- Army
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair style
- short/standard straight (man)
Body type
- average (man)
- muscular (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- caring
- aggressive
- happy
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavy
Body type
- average build (man)
How much in movie?
- 40%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
- French
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- French
- French
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
- France
Forest?
Yes
Misc setting
- fort/military installation
- castle
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately messy visuals of dead
- gory visuals of deaths
Movie makes you feel...
- excited
How many deaths in film?
- hundreds
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Kind of violence:
- land battles
- hand to hand
- knives
- swords
Unusual forms of death
- impaled
- perforation--swords/knives
- blunt clubbing (like seals)
Non-American film?
Yes
What language?
- English
Subtitles?
- No
Any profanity?
- None
- Occasional swearing
If Soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Orchestra/classical
Is this movie based on a
- play
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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