Now that we’ve studied Shakespeare’s background, sonnets, and Julius Caesar, we studied Shakespeare’s Henry V.
After reading background information in our Folger Classics, we annotated its key literary elements.
Since I only had two copies of this play, the extra went to my son since this is proclaimed by the Folger as: Shakespeare’s most famous ‘war play’… (p xiii)
My son’s eyes shone.
While my daughter shared his copy, he annotated during our discussion of literary highlights.
Then while we watched the DVD version of the play, we followed along in our copies.
BRANAGH DISCOVERY
A few weeks ago, I found the Kenneth Branaugh DVD, Henry V, at the used bookstore and hoped it would be good.
WOW!
UNLIKE OTHER SHAKESPEARE MOVIES
The Marlon Brando version of Julius Caesar was comparatively odd in speech.
In high school I saw Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor and in college I saw Hamlet with Richard Chamberlain, but I don’t remember any of them being as fascinating as the Branagh version of Henry V.
Now that I’ve seen Henry V, I can’t believe how natural the actors sounded, yet the beauty of the rhythm and rhyme smoothly flowed.
The movements seemed more fluid than the other Shakespearean movies.
I was instantly grabbed by the chorus, portrayed by a modern gentleman acting as narrator in Shakespearean rhythm and rhyme.
HISTORICAL ELEMENTS
Historically, this play is set during the Hundred Year’s War.
We’ve learned that the British won the battles of the Hundred Years’ War because of their longbowmen, with whom my son is fascinated.
He even portrayed one in our Medieval Becoming History presentation a few months ago.
As soon as I saw the archers raise and aim their bows and arrows in unison, I remembered their importance to the battle!
EMOTIONAL ELEMENTS
During the Battle of Agincourt, the scene where they found the dead boys was especially moving.
The song that was song was hauntingly beautiful.
On a happier note, the proposal scene of Henry to Kate was wonderfully fun!
What a way with words. (sigh) I’m definitely taken with this production!
PRODUCTION NOTES
From reading the production synopsis, Branagh’s version is a fresh take on an the classic method, meant to equally appeal to modern audiences and purists alike: With the determination and audacity of Henry himself, Branagh draws back his artistic bow and aims Shakespeare’s timeless adventure at the same audience that the Bard had targeted in 1598: the masses.
When I read this to the kids, my daughter was especially struck with the imagery as I had been.
Although the real Henry V never spoke in rhyming iambic pentameter, Kenneth Branagh made him believably real by the fluidity of his Shakespearean speech.
A veteran of acting in hundreds of stage performances of Henry V, this was Branagh’s first movie to direct.
ACADEMY NOMINATIONS AND WIN
Henry V received three 1989 Academy Award nominations for Best Director (Branagh), Best Actor (Branagh), and Best Costume Design.
They won for best costume design! Absolutely!
COSTUME DESIGN
Impressed while watching the movie, I puzzled over how to recreate some of them for us to wear for our Becoming History presentations.
I was especially interested in Princess Katherine’s simplified Burgundian gown.
RESEARCH
To research for the part, Branagh had a three-hour session with the modern Prince of Wales on British royalty.
However, Branagh fudged on the battle scenes.
In reality, the French were not strong contenders in battle.
Branagh wanted to bring in suspense, so he empowered the French army.
My son, who had heavily researched the longbow archers from the battles, had criticisms of the inaccurate battle scenes.
RANKING OUR FAVORITES
Nevertheless, of the three movies we’ve seen so far (stay tuned for the reveal of the other one we’ve seen) this movie is his favorite for being the most interesting and realistic.
My daughter and I agree, especially because we liked the marriage proposal scene.
I was so taken in by Henry V’s romantic lines, cajoling, teasing, nudging, persistently persuading…that I came close to answering for her, “Yes, yes, YES!”
(sigh…what a way with words)
BRANAGH FANS
Initially choosing this DVD because I found it for $6 at the used bookstore, I had no idea of Branagh’s reputation.
However, when I asked some friends if they had advice on Shakespearean movies, they exclaimed: Branagh!
Now that I’ve seen him in action, I agree.
His version of Henry V bridged the gap from our introduction to Shakespeare to having fun with word play.
Despite how heavy the movie was, there was great wordplay and humor throughout, which is also in the original play.
Branagh brought Shakespeare to life for us!
RECITATIONS
My son has chosen Henry V for his recitations for our upcoming history presentation.
He wants to recite three pieces, but due to time he has prioritized the order in which he wants to study them.
His first goal is to memorize the St. Crispin’s Day speech.
If he conquers that, then he wants to also memorize the tennis balls speech.
Once that is conquered, he wants to additionally memorize the rally speech at Harfleur.
If he successfully memorizes all three, they would be performed in the following order: tennis balls speech, rally speech at Harfleur, St. Crispin’s Day speech
