Henry V
 | Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Patrick Doyle, Ian Holm MGM (Video & DVD), 1989, DVD Customer Rating: 175 reviews Recommend |
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He ruled a massive empire...and fought a mighty war! Kenneth Branagh, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson and Judi Dench star in this heroic, action-packed epic based on the timeless play by William Shakespeare. "Magnificent, passionate and steeped in powerful emotion" (The Washington Post), Henry V is a "stunning," (Leonard Maltin) OscarÂ(r)-nominated* adventure that takes its place amongst the greatest war films of all time.Having recently been crowned King of England, Henry (Branagh) commands a massive invasion to assert what he believes is his legal right to the throne of France. But a mighty army stands in his wayÂ...and the young monarch must rely on untested reserves of courage and cunning as he personally leads his outnumbered forces into a desperate battle for the honor and glory of the British Empire. *1989: Director, Actor (Branagh), Costume Design (winner)
Very few films come close to the brilliance Kenneth Branagh achieved with his first foray into screenwriting and direction. Henry V qualifies as a masterpiece, the kind of film that comes along once in a decade. He eschews the theatricality of Laurence Olivier's stirring, fondly remembered 1945 adaptation to establish his own rules. Branagh plays it down and dirty, seeing the bard's play through revisionist eyes, framing it as an antiwar story. Branagh gives us harsh close-ups of muddied, bloody men, and close-ups of himself as Henry, his hardened mouth and willful eyes revealing much about this land war. Not that the director-star doesn't provide lighter moments. His scenes introducing the French Princess Katherine (Emma Thompson) are toothsome. Bubbly, funny, enhanced by lovely lighting and Thompson's pale beauty, these glimpses of a princess trying to learn English quickly from her maid are delightful.
What may be the crowning glory of Branagh's adaptation comes when the dazed, shaky leader wanders through battlefields, not even sure who has won. As King Hal carries a dead boy (Empire of the Sun's Christian Bale) over the hacked-up bodies of both the English and French, you realize it is the first time Branagh has opened up the scenes: a panorama of blood and mud and death. It is as strong a statement against warmongering as could ever be made. — Rochelle O'Gorman
Title: Henry V
Sales Rank: 1775 in DVD
Actor: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Patrick Doyle, Ian Holm
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD), 2000-07-18, Theatrical Release: 1989-11-08
Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 137 minutes
Item Dimensions: 0.25 pounds
Package Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches, 0.15 pounds
- Henry V
- Very pleased with both service and product. Outstanding film. Cliffs Notes helped in understanding the background of the story.… More reviews
- Branagh in Henry V is superb!
- This is the first film I saw Kenneth Branagh in. By recommendation from a dear friend, I went to the see it at the theater. I was astounded at his performance, so influencing to me at that time in my life. I have purchased several copies over the years, first in VHS, then DVD. I have loaned my copy out many times over the years. Now I have introduced my children to his… More reviews
- So wanted it to be wonderful!
- I love this movie and use it annually with my students to bring Shakespeare to life for them, but with a realistic slant. I purchased the DVD version in order to be able to project it, but on the item I received the sound quality was poor and returns once the seal is broken is not an option.
… More reviews
- The DVD is great
- Just a note about the quality of the DVD.
I bought a new laptop Windows 7 and when I played this DVD it was fine, audio, color, all as good as the VHS. Don't pass this by. It may just be what you play it on. BTW, the soundtrack is amazing! Buy that, too!… More reviews
- Finest production of this play that I have ever seen.
- I fully enjoyed this from begining to end. It was the best version of this that I have ever seen. I recommend it to everyone.… More reviews
