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Henry V [1944]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The definitive call to arms, Laurence Olivier's Henry V is a patriotic saga awash with pageantry, battles, romance and political chicanery. Intended to rally Britain during the darkest days of World War II, the film shows how the star of England sought to stake an ancestral, royal claim on the soil of France. Olivier once said, famously, that "it isn't until you're older that you can understand the pictorial beauty of heroism". And at the ripe age of 37, the actor essays an insouciant character endowed with great powers of strength, spirit, and intellect. From the moment Olivier strides on screen, the audience is held both rapt and willingly captive. During his magnificent "St. Crispin's Day" speech, Olivier refuses to indulge in excessive personal close-ups, choosing instead to depict the communal impact of his words on the troops. Though he understands the importance of clear, realistic communication, Olivier the director also displays a penchant for artifice--as exemplified by his decision to open the film in a replica of the Globe Theatre. The play's various diplomatic exchanges--usually of the dull, obligatory variety--are enlivened through touches of light comedy: a sly wind blows court papers over the set as courtiers argue over boundaries and treaties. There is also humour to be found in the King's taciturn romancing of Princess Katharine (Renée Asherson). But there are also plenty of large-scale events, with Olivier demonstrating the fleetness of Shakespeare's world even as he mimics the headlong rush of destruction. A romanticised film of a nation at war, the director leaves no doubt that the British victory over the French at Agincourt (1415) was Medieval England's and the King's finest military triumph. The film is rendered complete by William Walton's magnificent score, which pushes all the appropriate patriotic buttons. For his efforts, Olivier received a special Oscar "for his outstanding achievement as actor, producer, and director in bringing Henry V to the screen". --Kevin Mulhall


Essential
Review date: 2008-05-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I first saw this film in 1963 - it has been with me ever since. There can be many intepretations of the play - there does not have to be a "best". This one is just essential.

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Reviews


The question of the best dvd version available
Review date: 2008-02-29 Rating: 6 out of 10

S.N.Corder "scmorales' tells us - in a review of April 2007, posted above - that Granada is issuing a restored version of Olivier's 'Henry V' in May 2007. Writing this in February 2008, can anyone tell us whether that happened, and if so where it can be obtained on what S.N.C calls 'a normal DVD'? If all the enthusiasts of this film clubbed together, perhaps we could commission a restoration! The version advertised here is - everyone will agree - quite unworthy of the film (MUCH more interesting cinematographically than 'Richard III', though - well, this is a large debate.. - perhaps not such a dazzlingly seminal lead performance.)

Archetypal World War 2 Film
Review date: 2007-12-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

The classic version of the history play with an interesting political backdrop. Watch it for the beautiful stylized sets, Olivier's complex portrayal of the protagonist and the interesting opening frame, which is set in the Globe Theatre. Don't watch it if you like highly technical Lord of the Rings battle scenes- there was hardly any men around in 1944, for goodness' sake.

Not Branagh, Not Good
Review date: 2007-10-09 Rating: 4 out of 10

Hi

I caught this movie on TV the other day. I was suprised, nay shocked, at how flat and thespian Olivier's performance was. The is very little energy in the film. In particular the St Crispins day speech was a real let down. Contrast that to Branaghs version for passion and inspiring oratory. I think we should not be too hard on this version, and it is interesting, but is by no means 'the definitive' movie version.



On your imaginary forces work
Review date: 2007-07-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

Of the three Shakespeare films he directed; Henry V, Hamlet and Richard 111, Henry Vth is the only one that has a claim to be not just a record of a great performance, but a great film by any standards.
By beginning in the reconstructed Elizabethan Globe theatre Olivier presents the conventions of the time with boys playing women and over- painted actors hamming to a heckling audience.
But by using the Chorus' invitation to 'piece out' the imperfections of contemporary theatre 'with your thoughts' he takes us through the painted backdrop to a stylised mediaeval world of distorted perpectives befitting an illuminated manuscript, then focussing in on the 'real' live action world of the battle of Agincourt before returning again in stages to the stylised Elizabethan performance of the beginning. It is a brave and entirely successful device.
In this film too were many cinematic innovations, including a camera that pulled back from close-up to reveal the huge crowd of soldiers during the Agincourt Crispin speech, rather than - as more normally - zooming in; and the wonderful high speed tracking shot to keep pace with the accelerating front line of the Agincourt cavalry charge. All done many times since of course, but revolutionary film making in 1944.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Renee Asherson
Robert Newton
Laurence Olivier
Leo Genn
Leslie Banks

Creators:
Robert Newton (Primary Contributor)
Laurence Olivier (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115049636
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2003-04-14
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 137 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1946-06-17
Language: English (Original Language)

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