ERH 205WX  

2/12/18 

Henry V paper 

John Stann 

HR: Spell Check 

 

 

Henry V: In Film 

Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 film adaptation of the famous Shakespearean play has been well praised by Critics who oftentimes compare this film version to another famous adaptation, that of the 1944 version. Instead of a comedic, moral boosting rendition like the 1944 version, Branagh’s film was produced during the Vietnam war and shows us the horrors of war.  Branagh’s film, tries to show the evil of war and appease an anti-war populace who are tired of war and violence.   Branagh shows a more violent and darker world, and this is certainly true in the film. The settings are dark, Henry’s hall in the first act is barley lit, nothing is colorful, the two battles are muddy, and either taking place in a rainstorm or at night and Henry’s violent, and darker side is also shown.  The traitors are highlighted and Henry’s “into the breech” speech has a particular affect on the audience with descriptions of babies being placed on spikes and other horrible visions of war.  Even Henry himself is portrayed in a darker, and as an anti-hero instead of a straight up hero.  He orders the French prisoners killed, and his into the breech speech is also brutal.  Even while wooing Princess Katherine he discusses, owning France and saying that he would love her as much as he loves France.  Despite all of these shortcomings, in the end Henry is still shown as a hero, which is why I believe he is an anti-hero.  At the end of the battle of Agincourt you see Henry carrying the body of a slain boy who was killed when the French broke through the lines.  He also gave a rousing speech to his men before the battle and refused ransom.  

The Branagh version of Henry V is a dark story of war and brutality which tries to show a darker version of Henry V and fuel the anti-war sentiment during a time when many people were against the war in Vietnam.  This anti-war culture influenced this film greatly and made for a great version of the film. 

 

Bibliography: 

Donaldson, Peter S.  “Taking on Shakespeare:  Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V. Shakespeare Quarterly 42.1 (1991): 60-71.