I don't know which out of this film from Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh's film I prefer because I do put them on an equal level. Though I am not sure whether I'd go as far to say that either film is their best overall work as director, for me Olivier's was Richard III and Branagh's was Much Ado About Nothing. If I were to make any preferences, Branagh's conveys the brutality of war more evocatively than Olivier's, which was glossed over in comparison and has the better reading of the St Crispin's Day speech, while Olivier's has the better music score and the better costumes and sets. I consider the directing and lead performances equal too. Anyway enough with the comparisons. Under review here is Olivier's film, and I have to say that it is a truly impressive one, great even, especially considering that it was Olivier's debut as director. If there is anything that I wasn't so crazy about it was Fluellen's welsh accent which didn't seem all that convincing to me. Everything else though I loved. The costumes and sets are gorgeous, really sumptuous in detail and colourful. The standout was the opening sequence. Then there is William Walton's score, which is magnificently rousing stuff, second to Walton's score for Richard III as far as I'm concerned. Shakespeare's dialogue I have always been compelled by, and it is faithful and brilliantly delivered here. In fact what I love about both Olivier and Branagh's Shakespeare films is how much they respect his writing, same with Orson Welles actually. The story here drew me right in and never bored me even with its length, the opening sequence is wonderful and while not as brutally real as in Branagh's version the battle sequence is still colourfully staged. Olivier's direction is every bit as impressive as the film, even for a first-time director, and he also gives a wonderful performance in the title role. The supporting cast, while not quite on the same level as him, are very good as well, the standouts being Robert Newton(pitch-perfect as Pistol), Esmond Knight(even with the accent, it was still a commanding performance) and Leslie Banks(often coming close to stealing the show). In conclusion, very, very good. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Henry V
