Kenneth Branagh's Henry V

Henry V was Branagh's first foray into the world of Shakespearean films. It's also the only one of his films to be set in the original time period of the play (with the possible exception of Othello, which i haven't seen).

Henry sits on his throne, hearing the counsel of the Bishops, presented in this production as somewhat conniving.

Sniffing out treachery, Branagh as Henry proves that though Shakespeare's plays are timeless, '80s hairstyles are not.

Also the grittiest of Branagh's movies, Henry V captures the feel of battle. Here, Henry delivers his famous line, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends" (III.i.1) from horseback.

Proving his sense of justice is greater than his own personal feelings, Henry has Bardolph hanged.

Branagh cast his sometime wife Emma Thompson as Katherine. This scene is done entirely in French, true to the original text but without the benefit of footnotes. The scene is still almost completely understandable, however, because of the actors' actions.

The final battle scene, fought amidst a great deal of mud and pools of water.

Muddy and bloody, Henry demands of the French herald, "How now, what means this?" (IV.vii.68) and then admits, "I tell thee truly, herald,/I know not if the day be ours or no" (IV.vii.83-84).

Branagh, for time and simplicity's sake, streamlines the after-battle scenes, having the French herald deliver the totals of the French and English dead.

Afterwards, Henry carries one of the slaughtered boys across the field while "Non nobis and Te Deum" (IV.viii.123) are sung.

Henry meets with the defeated French king, and establishes peace. He also gets the French king's daughter, Katherine, in the bargain.

The marriage, though one of state, seems to be agreeable to both sides.

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