Samuel Murphy

Col Miller

ERH 205 WX

2/9/18

 

 

“Take a soldier, Take a King”

The article entails how the art of war and militarism was an important message throughout the movie. The Laurence Olivier version of Henry V, brought the attention of militaristic values, but Kenneth Branagh says otherwise. Branagh says “the world has changed so much… [Olivier’s version] had become almost irrelevant” (Helmbold 281). Branagh is saying that the militaristic and patriotic values depicted in the 1940’s version of Henry V, would be as much of a comparison with the 1984 version. Branagh establishing scenes, in his version of Henry V, Olivier omits. Henry threatening the people of Hartfleur and Henry unmasking the traitors’ conspiracy are few examples. The emotional and difficult decisions Henry makes in the movie explains how the quality of this movie trumps the Olivier version. Branagh implies that Henry V is a film about war, but it is also a film that centers on the personality of the king (Helmbold 285). There is also some debate of the movie being an antiwar or prowar film. Majority of the critics’ advocate for the film as a prowar movie. One critic says why the film isn’t antiwar is because, “Henry wades into battle without a helmet” (Helmbold 287). Another critic mentions the movie implicates ethical cues from the Vietnam War movies of the 1980’s, which offers the phrase “war is hell., but it heroizes” (Helmbold 287).  Kenneth Branagh Henry V, brings new views upon the king and give the king a platform to raise awareness of his heroism.

Helmbold, Anita. “Take a Soldier, Take a King”: The (In)Seperability of the King and Conflict in Branagh’s “Henry V”. Vol. 3. No 4. WAR ON FILM (2005). pp 280-289