Comments on: Henry V http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/ Tim Irwin's movie reviews, ranging from the obscure and inane to the recently released. Sat, 12 May 2012 22:38:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » The King’s Speech http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/comment-page-1/#comment-3817 This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » The King’s Speech Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:28:50 +0000 http://thistooismeaningless.com/?p=3152#comment-3817 [...] of a kingdom is a tremendous burden.  Other films have captured this, too, such as Henry V [review here], but with a more contemporary script it is easier to sympathize with [...] [...] of a kingdom is a tremendous burden.  Other films have captured this, too, such as Henry V [review here], but with a more contemporary script it is easier to sympathize with [...]

]]> By: This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » Henry V (1944) http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/comment-page-1/#comment-2613 This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » Henry V (1944) Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:50:53 +0000 http://thistooismeaningless.com/?p=3152#comment-2613 [...] of laughter, and the story starts to take on a less somber atmosphere than Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 remake [review [...] [...] of laughter, and the story starts to take on a less somber atmosphere than Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 remake [review [...]

]]> By: Tim Irwin http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/comment-page-1/#comment-2323 Tim Irwin Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:17:23 +0000 http://thistooismeaningless.com/?p=3152#comment-2323 Thanks for the comments, Jeff. Without being particularly knowledgeable about the play itself or Olivier's version (I'll watch that this month), I'd have to agree that Branagh's film is more powerful because of its intimacy. The close camera adds a unique element to the battle sequences, in particular. Nice writeup on the two films, by the way; I'll have to read it more carefully after I'm familiar with Olivier's version. Thanks for the comments, Jeff. Without being particularly knowledgeable about the play itself or Olivier’s version (I’ll watch that this month), I’d have to agree that Branagh’s film is more powerful because of its intimacy. The close camera adds a unique element to the battle sequences, in particular. Nice writeup on the two films, by the way; I’ll have to read it more carefully after I’m familiar with Olivier’s version.

]]> By: Jeff (Second Reel) http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/comment-page-1/#comment-2317 Jeff (Second Reel) Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:17:08 +0000 http://thistooismeaningless.com/?p=3152#comment-2317 "With Branagh’s direction, Henry V feels the epitome of a British filmed play, albeit with enough cinematic flourishes to make it theatrically feasible." I would argue ( in fact I have, here: http://second-reel.blogspot.com/2010/08/chorus-lines.html ) that the "filmed play" feeling is exactly what makes this film powerful. By keeping his camera confined to small spaces, Branagh not only keeps his film in line with the Chorus' apologies, but enhances Shakespeare's thoughts on the brutality and occasional pointlessness of war. This is something that is not present in Olivier's film, despite his clever approach to the Chorus (and given that he made his film during WW2, quite understandably so). And I agree with you about Montjoy. Watching his surprise at Henry's decency and his admiration for his valor is a real kick. “With Branagh’s direction, Henry V feels the epitome of a British filmed play, albeit with enough cinematic flourishes to make it theatrically feasible.”

I would argue ( in fact I have, here: http://second-reel.blogspot.com/2010/08/chorus-lines.html ) that the “filmed play” feeling is exactly what makes this film powerful. By keeping his camera confined to small spaces, Branagh not only keeps his film in line with the Chorus’ apologies, but enhances Shakespeare’s thoughts on the brutality and occasional pointlessness of war. This is something that is not present in Olivier’s film, despite his clever approach to the Chorus (and given that he made his film during WW2, quite understandably so).

And I agree with you about Montjoy. Watching his surprise at Henry’s decency and his admiration for his valor is a real kick.

]]> By: This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » Thirteen Days http://thistooismeaningless.com/2010/07/henry-v/comment-page-1/#comment-2309 This Too Is Meaningless » Blog Archive » Thirteen Days Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:43:42 +0000 http://thistooismeaningless.com/?p=3152#comment-2309 [...] of dire need.  Kennedy here struggles with the same problems that Henry V faced in Henry V [review here].  He has to weigh a great number of factors, not the least of which is the safety of millions of [...] [...] of dire need.  Kennedy here struggles with the same problems that Henry V faced in Henry V [review here].  He has to weigh a great number of factors, not the least of which is the safety of millions of [...]

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