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Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Ian Holm, Paul Scofield ... see more see more... , Emma Thompson , Robbie Coltrane , Michael Maloney , Alec McCowen , Geraldine McEwan , Simon Shepherd , James Larkin , John Sessions , Christian Bale , Michael Williams , Richard Briers , Geoffrey Hutchings , Robert Stephens , Judi Dench , Fabian Cartwright , Richard Clifford , Richard Easton , Richard Innocent , Edward Jewesbury , Charles Kay , James Simmons , Stephen Simms , Daniel Webb , Jimmy Yuill , Patrick Doyle , Christopher Ravenscroft , Chris Armstrong , Nicholas Ferguson , Julian Gartside , Nigel Greaves , Colin Hurley , Mark Inman , David Lloyd Meredith , David Parfitt , Shaun Prendergast , Jay Villiers , Tom Whitehouse , Calum Yuill , Paul Gregory

Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play, young king of England Henry V (Kenn... read more read more...eth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king's son, Dauphin (Michael Maloney), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback, Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane), Bardolph (Richard Briers), Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings), Pistol (Robert Stephens), and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile, Henry and his captain, Fluellen (Ian Holm), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops, yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle, Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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33 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

Release Date: November 8, 1989

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DVD Release Date: July 18, 2000

Stats: 811 reviews

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Kenneth Branagh in Henry V Christopher Ravenscroft as Montjoy from 'Henry V' Henry V CBale1 Henry V Henry V Emma Thompson & Kenneth Branagh in Henry V Kenneth Branagh in Henry V
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Flixster Reviews (811)

  • garyX
    March 7, 2010
    garyX
    Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Shakespeare's play was his directorial debut and at the time many balked at the very idea that this young whipper snapper could dare to get in the ring with Laurence Olivier and his then definitive version. This film is a completely different propo... read moresition however, choosing to use the cinematic medium to great effect to breathe gritty, believable life into the characters and story. He is of course backed up by probably the finest assemblance of Shakespearian talent whose pedigree shines through in a faultless collection of performances, from the arrogance and politicking of the nobles to the earthy pathos of the common soldier. Even the uninitiated who can be intimidated by the seemingly inpenetrable prose should be able to follow the plot because of the clever use of performance and realism to convey the meaning of the florid dialogue, but I must admit from time to time I wished I had some Cliff notes to aid my understanding of the nuances. The battle scenes are recreated in a way obviously influenced by John Boorman's Excalibur, all sweat and blood and filth, and to echo the modern climate offers a more human portrayal of bloodshed on such an epic scale. The highlights are of course all provided by Branagh's excellent and naturalistic interpretation of Henry (although Paul Scofield's subtle performance as the melancholy King of France is near its equal), most notably his pre-battle speeches which inspire without the clodhopping patriotic manipulation you have seen in everything from Braveheart to Independence Day. His inexperience behind the camera tells occasionally as he gets a little slo-mo happy and the battle is a little confusing, but as a whole it's a great achievement.
  • binky013
    December 1, 2008
    binky013
    No one on the contemporary movie scene -- or ever on the screen -- does Shakespeare better than Branagh. As both actor and director, he is simply the best. He can manage all his actors in such a way that you will understand the plays clearly, both in terms of dialog delivery an... read mored action. I don't know if this is the best job he's done, but it's at least tied for number one. If you only see one Branagh Shakespeare, make it this one.

    Note: If you are confused by some of the references to Henry's "former" self and his former friends, you may want to check out Henry IV parts I and II. Unfortunately those won't be Branagh projects -- at least not yet. Here's hoping he does those as well.
  • crossbladezero
    December 17, 2010
    crossbladezero
    In this faithful cenimatic revival of Shakespeare's patriotic classic, we are presented with fantastic acting, masterful directing, an applaudable score and an awe-inspiring production to accompany the already powerfully compelling story and strong characters. Branagh particularl... read morey stands out for his astonishing performance before and behind the camera, a feat difficult enough to achieve without his commitment to make the film of the extremely high quality it is. Unfortunately, some characters are underdeveloped and underused and the storyline is slightly difficult to follow at points. Also, a deal of scenes are slow, somewhat drawn out and forces in too many events in such a limited amount of time. Sadly, even the most powerful sequence in the film is flawed, in that it is too theatrical of a sequence to be succeeded by a true conclusion. As for the narrator, or chorus rather, his physical presence in the film is an interesting and original concept that does make the opening and conclusion very interesting. However, his appearance throughout the body of the film is forced and hard to take seriously. These flaws aside, Branagh's "Henry V" is a passionate masterpiece well-deserving of its vast critical acclaim.
  • fb504437234
    September 8, 2011
    fb504437234
    I will admit that I have not read William Shakespeareâ(TM)s Henry V. However, I like to think that Kenneth Branaghâ(TM)s take on the play certainly counts. Branagh, in his directorial debut, brings one of Shakespeareâ(TM)s histories to life with great panache and necessary gritti... read moreness.

    The play follows the rise of King Henry V and his conquest of France. Branagh, though, adds a few pieces from Henry IV for some additional context and to reveal more about Henry V. We see King Henry V rack up victory after victory as his troops grow fewer and fewer. Sick, wounded, and outmatched, Henry V rallies the troops with the famous St. Crispinâ(TM)s Day speech and they storm into the Battle of Agincourt.

    There is not much to say about the script. Itâ(TM)s Shakespeare. But noteworthy are the additions Branagh made in his adaptation. The addition of Robbie Coltrane in the cameo as Falstaff was excellent and saddening at the same time. The flashbacks to Henry Vâ(TM)s childhood really add depth to an already great play. Branagh also did an amazing job at directing the battle scenes in the movie. He does not hold back and heads full steam into these battles. He shows off the grittiness of war by featuring the penultimate battle in a muddy field.

    The acting is also terrific. Branaghâ(TM)s delivery of the St. Crispinâ(TM)s Day speech is exquisite and inspiring. You wish you could jump right into the screen and join in the battle. There are also a number of great supporting performances. Robbie Coltrane, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Emma Thompson, in a very limited role, and watch for a young Christian Bale as a kid soldier.

    This adaptation is often compared to Olivierâ(TM)s version of Henry V. It is unlikely to say that one is better than the other. However, Kenneth Branaghâ(TM)s Henry V is definitely one of the better modern adaptations of a Shakespearean play and is definitely one that will be enjoyed not just by lovers of Shakespeare, but lovers of movies in general.
  • fb20312798
    August 28, 2007
    fb20312798
    One of the best Shakespeare film adaptions ever. Kenneth Branagh pulled tripple duty here, adapting the screenplay, directing, and playing the lead role. Branagh throws out the normal rules and plays the film as violent and realistic interpretation of warfare in the middle ages.
  • randallangela1
    October 25, 2010
    randallangela1
    So, with Shakespeare's script it always had the potential to be awesome. But, Branagh and the incredible cast who wanted to work with him made this film AMAZING.

    Just fabulous, really. All Shakespeare fans, history buffs, Francophiles and Anglophiles should watch this.
  • jimbotender
    August 26, 2008
    jimbotender
    A revision of Shakespeare's dubious play.A blast indeed.Branagh crams disastrous options,backfires a bloody fury to the hypocricy of the court and throne,ultimately creating one of 1989's most aspiring films and an equal challenger to Olivier's first great read.
  • levelboss15
    February 15, 2008
    levelboss15
    Relatively poor attempt at Shakespeare, compared to Branagh's other works, mainly because it felt like it was a filmed stage production rather than a film.
  • jpexpress86
    December 9, 2007
    jpexpress86
    The final battlefield scenes are four-plus star work, but the rest feels heavier than it needs to. Still, some excellent touches in taking a play in Elizabethan English and with almost no stage directions and turning it into a comprehensible, flowing movie.
  • spleenylutheran
    November 23, 2007
    spleenylutheran
    The realism here is forced by Olivier's earlier version, but I think it works, especially in the gritty battle scenes. Derek Jacobi's modern Chorus character is quite good showing an unromanticized look at war.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
July 1, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

A stirring, gritty and enjoyable pic which offers a plethora of fine performances from some of the U.K.'s brightest talents. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
July 1, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The cast -- including Derek Jacobi as the modern-dress chorus, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, and Robbie Coltrane in an effective cameo as Falstaff -- is uniformly fine without an... Full Review

Benedict Nightingale
May 21, 2003
Benedict Nightingale, New York Times

Mr. Branagh's Henry has psychological heft and intellectual weight. Full Review

Amy E. Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Amy E. Schwartz, Washington Post

More questioning, more agonized, finally more humble. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Everything about this remarkable production is exhilaratingly unexpected. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What works best in the film is the over-all vision. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

In this alert, rousing interpretation of Henry V, Branagh beats down the doors of high art and drags the sleeping bard into the light of modern day. Full Review

Cole Smithey
January 29, 2012
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Toward "turning many years into an hourglass," Branagh the screenwriter condenses "King Henry the Fifth," while adding in elements from the first and second parts of "King Henry the Fourth." The effec... Full Review

July 1, 2008
Film4

Like Sir Larry's, this remains Branagh's best movie and although less spirited and more actorish than its predecessor, it has a modern feel and a grittier tone to it, notably in the battle scenes. Full Review

Anthony Quinn
July 1, 2008
Anthony Quinn, Empire Magazine

It might never be as famous as Olivier's, but it should carry considerable clout for years to come. Full Review

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    • Henry V: And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by from this day until the ending of the world but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!
    • Henry V: I pray thee take my former answer back. Bid them achieve me than sell my bones!"
    • Henry V: And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by from this day until the ending of the world but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!
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Henry V Trivia

  • In which film full of talented actors including Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, and Judi Dench did Ian Holm play Fluellen?  Answer »
  • Christian Bale played a young page in Kenneth Branagh's 1989 film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry V".  Answer »
  • Which film company produced Henry V starring Keneth Branner??  Answer »
  • Who scored The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Mommie Dearest, and King Kong v Godzilla?  Answer »
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