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Olivier And Branaugh Productions Of Henry V

            The portrayals of the King of England in Henry V differ greatly between the Branagh and Olivier film versions of Shakespeare's play. The choice of script in each took the two films in different directions; while Olivier heralded in the heroic and patriotic displays of war, Branagh instead chose to elaborate upon the harshness and realities of the battle. As the enemy was likened to those in Nazi Germany in the Olivier version, Branagh brought out the toils and pains of war following America's excursion into Vietnam. In contrasting the film productions of Olivier and Branagh, I will focus primarily upon Henry's portrayals throughout each and how each director shaped the audience's attitudes toward King Henry.
             One of the first aspects of the film that Branagh has chosen for focus is the Prologue. The film opens with a man introducing us to the film as he walks through the backstage area (portraying a movie camera and various set pieces). In closing the prologue, the man opens a door into the reality of the film and invites us to walk into the scene. This man shows us periodically throughout the film, reciting lines of the chorus as he takes part somehow in the scene he is discussing. In one scene, the man is lying on the ground, bloody in the face, and as he recites his lines to us, havoc and chaos rule the battle scene of which he has become a part. Branagh has the six chorus fragments broken down into nine appearances by this man, so as not give away the plot too early. The appearance of the Prologue man in dark clothing, lit by dim light above, prepares us for the mood of Branagh's very serious, tragic film.
             The tone of Branagh's Henry V is one of somberness and bittersweet victory. Branagh plays the role of the King as though he has been propelled into this noble position without assenting to it (alluding to Henry IV). As one critic contrasts the Olivier and Branagh versions of the play, he summarizes the capacities of each King:.


Essays Related to Olivier And Branaugh Productions Of Henry V

1. Sir Laurence Oliver

He played Katherine in the production on The Taming of the Shrew. ... In 1944 Olivier directed and produced, while starring in, Henry V, and doing the same in 1948 with his most famous role, Hamlet. Later, his performances as Hamlet, Sir Toby Belch, Macbeth, Henry V, Romeo, Iago, Coriocanus, and Mercutio earned him the reputation of a true Shakespearean actor. ... He won four Academy awards, and was nominated for eleven, including Best Actor for Othello, Henry V, Rebecca, and Wurthering Heights and several other roles he played. ... He received three New York Film Critics Awards for Best A...

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  • Grade Level: High School

2. Henry V Film Comparison

Henry V Film Comparison After viewing two different versions of Shakespeare's Henry V, the audience may have two very different opinions of Henry as a King. ... As Montjoy the messenger enters, his brothers and counsel again surround Henry, much like in the Olivier version. ... In Olivier's version it is hard to see Henry as a serious threat, but here Branagh shows that he is very serious about his claims. ... Branagh's version of the film is simply more believable than Olivier's film. If the audience had not read Henry V before and saw Olivier's version first, then ...

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  • Grade Level: High School

3. How Far do the Film Versions of Henry V follow the text?

How do Olivier's version and Branagh's version of "Henry V" present the king as a king and as a man? ... "Henry V" is Shakespeare's classic play based around the events surrounding the battle of Agincourt. ... In Act 3 Scene 3 King Henry makes some very emotive threats to the governor of Harfleur to try and get him to give up the town. These threats are effective at showing us how Henry intends to build himself a reputation as a strong king. ... In fact Olivier's version only includes the first line of the scene when Henry says: "How yet resolves the governor of the town?...

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  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Tragedy of Film Remakes

Interpreted by four directors, (in chronological order), Laurence Olivier, Franco Zeffirelli, Kenneth Branaugh, and Michael Almereyda, the play takes on four very different tones, personalities and qualities. ... The two versions that come closest to the generally accepted time frame would be the Zeffirelli and the Olivier. ... In the next scene Olivier very much follows the Shakespearean tradition of the "flourish." ... With the exception of the time period, the Branaugh version of Hamlet is considered the most faithful to the original spirit of the Shakespearean play. ... This version, like ...

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  • Grade Level: High School

5. Henry V - Benevolent King Or Scheming Politician?

In each production of Henry V, the emphasis changes: Henry can appear to be "the mirror of all Christian Kings" or as a cynic who uses the, seemingly corrupt, church to justify his actions. ... But his morality is questionable; Shakespeare's original production seems to highlight both sides, and it can be argued, equally. ... So Henry V is an unsavoury character in that he can so coldly turn on Falstaff, a man who was a great friend to him? ... There is much in Henry V that suggests Shakespeare in fact saw Henry V as the most perfect monarch. ... This would appeal to the audience at the...

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  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Shakespeare's Henry V

Discussion Questions for Shakespeare's Henry V 1.Most of the criticism of this play centers on whether Hal has become a good person or a bad person. ... Falstaff dies offstage as a reminder that Henry V is a "sequel to the earlier histories of Henry IV." ... The presence of the tavern gang after Falstaff's death in the play represent the personal history of Henry V. This history brought into the play by Henry V "cannot be quite so easily banished." Because the tavern gang remains present in the play, the audience has a reminder of Henry V's personal past. 6. ...

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7. Henry V

The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. ... It is difficult to depict the life of King Henry V with all the honor and glory that he deserves when presenting it on the stage. ... In Act V, The two courts meet and discuss King Henry's demands, his first of which is to marry Katherine, which is granted. ... They close the story about the life of King Henry V by telling the audience that he had a son, Henry VI, whom went on to succeed his father. ... The Chorus also gives the audience some insight into the character of Henry V as well. ...

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  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Henry V

In Henry V, Shakespeare uses Henry to show that a leader must put duty and fairness above friendship. ... Shakespeare doesthis as to set the tone for Henry's character and his ability to reign and be a good leader in Henry V. ... Shakespeare uses that to foreshadow what Henry must do to become a good king, in Henry V. ... In Shakespeare's' Henry V, henry is faced with the monumental task of ruling the throne of England. ... Throughout Henry V Shakespeare has many moods, or themes brought up , leadership burdens of leadership, or good qualities of a good leader, j...

  • Word Count: 1466
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Kind Henry V

The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. ... It is difficult to depict the life of King Henry V with all the honor and glory that he deserves when presenting it on the stage. ... In Act V, The two courts meet and discuss King Henry's demands, his first of which is to marry Katherine, which is granted. ... They close the story about the life of King Henry V by telling the audience that he had a son, Henry VI, whom went on to succeed his father. ... The Chorus also gives the audience some insight into the character of Henry V as well. ...

  • Word Count: 1745
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

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