Henry V (1989)

In the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

William Shakespeare (by), Kenneth Branagh (adapted for the screen by)

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Shepherd

Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Derek Jacobi	...	Chorus
Kenneth Branagh	...	King Henry V
Simon Shepherd	...	Duke Humphrey of Gloucester
James Larkin	...	Duke John of Bedford
Brian Blessed	...	Duke Thomas Beaufort of Exeter
James Simmons	...	Duke Edward of York
Paul Gregory	...	Westmoreland
Charles Kay	...	Archbishop of Canterbury
Alec McCowen	...	Bishop of Ely
Fabian Cartwright	...	Earl Richard of Cambridge
Stephen Simms	...	Lord Henry Scroop
Jay Villiers	...	Sir Thomas Grey
Edward Jewesbury	...	Sir Thomas Erpingham
Ian Holm	...	Captain Fluellen
Danny Webb	...	Gower (as Daniel Webb)

Storyline

King Henry V of England is insulted by the King of France. As a result, he leads his army into battle against France. Along the way, the young king must struggle with the sinking morale of his troops and his own inner doubts. The war culminates at the bloody Battle of Agincourt.

---

Plot Keywords:

king | battle | shakespeare play | battle of agincourt | hundred years war | 

---

Taglines:

The great adventure of a king who defied the odds to prove himself a man.

---

Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a bloody battle

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

8 November 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enrique V

Filming Locations:

Crowlink, East Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$10,161,099

Company Credits

Production Co:

Renaissance Films,British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Curzon Film Distributors

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastman Color)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Judi Dench, who plays Hostess Nell Quickly, played Katherine of France in an earlier, multi-episode adaptation of the play, An Age of Kings (1960).

---

Goofs

After 4 minutes a violin string is plucked. This string is clearly one of the middle strings, either the "D" or the "A" string. However, we actually hear the sound of the "E" string being plucked.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Chorus: O! For a Muse of fire, that would ascend; The brightest heaven of invention; A kingdom for a stage, princes to act and monarchs to behold the swelling scene. Then should the war-like Harry, like himself, assume the port of Mars; And at his heels, leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire crouch for employment.

---

Connections

Version of Great Performances: Henry V at Shakespeare's Globe (1997)

User Reviews

They're wearing the right clothes!

When this film came to my town, I had never heard of Kenneth Branagh (or indeed several others in the cast whom I have now come to respect immensely); however, I went with high hopes. From the first scenes on, I found my optimism rewarded. I was impressed with the acting, the staging, and everything else. But something kept nagging at me. It wasn't until Mountjoy (the French herald) entered Henry's throne room that I realized what was impressing me so much. THEY WERE WEARING THE RIGHT CLOTHES FOR 1415! That kind of attention to detail shows throughout, and makes what would otherwise be an exceptional effort even more superlative. Also, while I am a great fan of Laurence Olivier, I still feel that in this performance Branagh IS Henry. A truly masterful effort!