Olivier And Branaugh Productions Of Henry V

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 o

Rather than portraying Henry as a commoner or soldier, the King is “King as King.” It is understood by the audience that Henry has no other side to portray; he is courageous and strong, never wavering in his campaign against the French. He is shown leading his men to battle, with the focus of the camera upon himself alone (contrasted with Branagh, in which Henry is seen as another soldier). There are no true battle scenes in the film, and no blood is ever shed. What little fighting is shown is quick and fairly painless for all involved (with focus, of course, upon the English glory). Much time is spent upon the arrival and welcome home that the English army receives, with the soldiers and nobility basking in the glory of the battle.

Olivier’s Henry is a chivalrous hero-king who experiences no personal or domestic turmoil… the soldiers do not seem ravaged by injury, disease, or deprivation. The French are presented as fops—over-confident, over-dressed, over-acted… [he provides] a cheerful, uncomplicated, uplifting, patriotic, propaganda vehicle for world War II weary England… Branagh’s Henry is equally heroic, but more sensitive, more prone to doubt… war is not glorious, but dirty, painful, often disgusting, and unfair… war is shown as terrible, and victory has been achieved at a terrible price—for the English as well as the French.

Referring to one more distinct contrast between the two film versions, we can see in the conversations between Nim, Bardolph, Pistol and Hostess Quickly. While the Branagh version treats these characters seriously (especially when pertaining to Falstaff’s death, which Branagh does show on screen), Olivier takes a much more comedic approach. The audience of the Globe Theatre (in which the first few scenes are set), laughs hysterically not only at the banter among Nim and Pistol, but also at the portrayal of the archbishops as clowns in the opening scenes. We are even taken backs

Some topics in this essay:
King Henry, Branagh Henry, Olivier’s Henry, IV Bardolph, French King, Nim Pistol, Branagh’s Henry, Indeed Henry, Henry Olivier, Branagh Olivier, king henry, olivier branagh, henry iv, king branagh, role king, olivier’s henry, branagh’s henry, french king, henry seen, stark contrast,