In the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.In the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.In the midst of the Hundred Years War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 12 wins & 13 nominations total
- Gower
- (as Daniel Webb)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was one of Marlon Brando's favorite movies.
- GoofsIt's in William Shakespeare's text, but during the English lesson between Katherine and Alice, Katherine switches from the familiar "tu" (which is to be expected when a princess addresses a servant) to the formal "vous" (which would be appropriate for a younger person addressing an older one, were the younger one not of royal blood) in her first line of dialogue in this scene, and continues using it throughout thereafter.
- Quotes
[Addressing the troops]
King Henry V: And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by from this day until the ending of the world but we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!
- Crazy creditsThe Chorus starts the film by opening the doors to the English court in the Prologue, and ends the film by closing those doors in the Epilogue.
The entire film is filled with grandeur and pomp, with any faults in the story line being attributable more to Shakespeare himself than Branagh. Henry V as I remember it from my college English class is a decidingly pro-British play (and film). There is little question that France should be conquered, and Henry speaks of his war against France as if it were France that attacked England. Indeed, Henry's famous "St. Chrispin's day speech" is so rousing, that it has been quoted often and inspired the name of the "Band of Brothers" miniseries about World War II. This is no surprise, since Shakespeare's prose is famously beautiful.
There is definitely a difference in the way that both sides of the conflict are presented. The French, at least in Branagh's movie are presented as arrogant (and somewhat effeminate), while on the side of the English, even children are filled with manly courage. Henry is presented as noble, fair, and merciful. True he threatens the mayor of one French town, telling him that if he does not surrender the town, the English will do terrible things to its residents, but does not carry out his threat. He also hangs the one English soldier who steals from a French church, refusing to show favoritism for him just because he was his friend. Apparently mercy towards your own countrymen was not a virtue that Henry saw particularly important.
The films greatest attribute is its soundtrack, particularly the use of music in the scene following the battle of Agincourt in which the warring parties collect their dead for burial.
All in all, a fascinating look inside the mind of a king.
- artemis_5
- Dec 7, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Heinrich V.
- Filming locations
- Crowlink, East Sussex, England, UK(exteriors: prologue - cliffs)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,161,099
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $64,933
- Nov 12, 1989
- Gross worldwide
- $10,161,099
- Runtime2 hours 17 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1