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 10 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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

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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

The famous London costume house Angels & Bermans provided most of the costumes for this movie, just as they had done for Sir Laurence Olivier's Henry V (1944).

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Goofs

When the army crosses the river, rain is clearly falling into the water in the foreground but not in the background, which is glassy smooth.

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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.

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Connections

Version of An Age of Kings: Henry V Part 1: Signs of War (1960)

User Reviews

Henry V

Excellent return to Shakespeare's young King Henry with 28 year old Branagh perfectly filling the shoes Olivier tried so hard to fill 40 plus years before. Branagh, who also directed, brings the film to life with exciting battle scenes, a first rate supporting cast that features the fine Shakespearean veteran Jacobi as the Chorus. Also with Holm, Bannen, the always reliable Brian Blessed and Emma Thompson. The story is better told and moves about at a much better pace than previous Shakespeare films. Branagh started an incredible trend with this film. (Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Othello) He was Oscar nominated as Actor and Director for his work here. The film won for Costuming.