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Henry V is a 1944 film adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Henry V; it was released in Los Angeles in 1946. The on-screen title is The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France. It stars Laurence Olivier, who also directed. The screenplay was adapted by Dallas Bower, Alan Dent and Olivier. With a memorable score from William Walton, it opens with a stage production of the play at the Globe Theatre, only slipping gradually into cinematic style.
The film was made near the end of World War II and was meant to be a morale booster in Great Britain. Consequently, part of the film was funded by the government. The movie won Olivier an Academy Honorary Award for "his Outstanding achievement as actor, producer and director in bringing Henry V to the screen." That award should also be viewed in the broader context of his efforts to bring Shakespeare to the screen. This was the first successful Shakespeare film, setting the gold standard for further films to come.
The film depicts, at first, a play performed in 1600. But the play gradually turns into a historical drama, set in France, depicting Henry the Fifth's campaign throughout Harfleur and eventually Agincourt. The film then shows the Battle of Agincourt, as told by Shakespeare, and eventually, Henry's courtship of Princess Katherine.
Production
The original setting was innaccessible in German-occupied France at the time, and so the film was shot in Ireland. The chain-mail armour was actually spray-painted wool knitted by blind women. Many of the 'casts of thousands' extras were servicemen, and it is said that you can tell the American servicemen as they wear their helmets at a jaunty angle! Olivier agreed not to appear in a film for 18 months to encourage this one to attract as large an audience as possible and in return was paid £15,000 tax-free, about £460,000 in today's money Guardian Article
Casting and Filming
Cinematography
Music
Synopsis
The film begins in the Globe Theatre, when the Chorus (Leslie Banks), comes out and impores the audience to use their imaginations for the play. We see, up on a balcony, two clergymen, The Archbishop of Cantebury (Felix Alymer), and the Bishop of Ely (Robert Helpmann) discussing the current affairs of state. Henry (Laurence Olivier) then enters, and discusses with his nobles the state of France. A gift is then delivered to Henry from the French Dauphin.
Upon having the gift opened, Henry discoveres that he has been given Tennis Balls. Offended, Henry sends the French ambassador away, and prepares to claim the French throne, a throne that he believes is rightfully his. We then see characters from Shakespeare's Henry IV plays: Nym (Frederick Cooper), Bardolph (Roy Emerton), and Pistol (Robert Newton). These characters resolve to join Henry's army, however, before they do, Falstaff (George Robey), another returning character, and one of the King's former mentors, dies. At Southampton, Henry is the victim of an attempted assassination by the Earl of Cambridge. Henry discovers this treasonous plots, but instead, gives the traitors pardon. The fleet debarks, and lands in France, beginning a campaign that tears through France to Harfleur, where Henry's forces lay siege. At the siege, Henry delivers his first rousing speech to his troops:
The troops then charge on into Harfleur, and take it as their own. The troops then march to Agincourt, meeting the French forces. Before the impending battle, Henry wanders around the camp in disguise, to find out what the men think of him. The next day, before the battle, Henry delivers his second famous speech: The Battle of Agincourt then commences. The English archers let forth a volley of arrows that cuts deeply into the French numbers. The French, weighed down by their heavy armour, are caught in the fresh mud of the field, and are bogged down, which gives the English troops ample opportunity to ride out and fight them on equal terms. The French Dauphin (Max Adrian), seeing this disadvantage, rides out with several bodyguards and noblemen, and kills all the boys and squires in the English camp. Henry, seeing this, is angered, and rides out to meet the French Constable (Leo Genn). Fighting each other, one-on-one, swords in hand, the Constable strikes Henry in the head, shaking him. Henry turns and continues to fight the Constable, who sheathes his sword in favour of a mace. The constable then strikes Henry's hand, causing him to drop his sword. Henry, now disarmed, lashes out and strikes the Constable in the face with his gauntless, assumedly killing him.
The battle is won, and Henry then proceeds to court the Princess Katherine (Renee Asherson). He does so, and France is now under the control of England, as the King adopts Henry as his successor.
Cast (in order of appearance)
- Leslie Banks as the Chorus. The Chorus narrates the play and film, giving the required exposition. Leslie Banks was a British actor who had appeared with Olivier in Fire Over England.
- Felix Aylmer as the Archbishop of Cantebury. The Archbishop helps tempt the King into his conquest of France. Aylmer had appeared with Olivier in As You Like It, and would subsequently appear in Hamlet.
- Robert Helpmann as the Bishop of Ely. The Bishop helps the Archbishop in his persuasion of the King. Robert Helpmann was an Australian entertainer, who produced Ballet concerts.
- Vernon Greeves as The English Herald.
- Gerald Case as the Earl of Westmoreland.
- Griffith Jones as the Earl of Salisbury. Salisbury is a commander who fights at Harfleur and Agincourt. Jones was a veteran British actor.
- Morland Graham as Sir Thomas Erpingnham. Erpingham plays a decisive role in the Battle of Agincourt.
- Nicholas Hannen as the Duke of Exeter. The Duke is the uncle to the king.
- Michael Warre as the Duke of Gloucester. Gloucester is the brother to the king.
- Laurence Olivier as King Henry V of England. Henry is the King of England, who is insulted by the French and compelled to invade them. He is a warrior king, who commands his troops from the front. This was Laurence Olivier's third Oscar-nominated performance, and his second performing of Shakespeare on screen.
- Ralph Truman as Mountjoy, The French Herald.
- Ernest Thesiger as Duke of Berri, French Ambassador. Thesiger was a British actor who gained fame in Frankenstien.
- Frederick Cooper as Corporal Nym.
- Roy Emerton as Lieutenant Bardolph.
- Robert Newton as Ancient Pistol. Newton was a prolific British actor who gained fame in Treasure Island.
- Freda Jackson as Mistress Quickly.
- George Cole as the Boy. George Cole is a British actor who gained popularity much later on as Arthur Daley in the TV series "Minder"
- George Robey as Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is a compaion to Henry. Robey was a British Music hall Star.
- Harcourt Williams as King Charles VI of France. Charles is the diseased and old King of France. Williams was a British actor, this was his most famous role.
- Russell Thorndike as the Duke of Bourbon. Bourbon fights at Agincourt and is captured. Thorndike was the brother of the famed actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike.
- Leo Genn as The Constable of France. The Constable was the commander of the French forces at Agincourt, and is killed by King Henry himself during the battle. Genn was a prolific actor, later gaining fame in Quo Vadis.
- Francis Lister as the Duke of Orleans. Orleans is a nobleman who fights at Agincourt.
- Max Adrian as The Dauphin. The Dauphin is the cocky joint-commander of the forces at Agincourt. Adrian was a celebrated actor who appeared in several films and on television.
- Jonathan Field as The French Messenger.
- Esmond Knight as Fluellen, Captain in the English Army. Knight appeared in all three of Olivier's Shakespeare films, as well as his The Prince and the Showgirl.
- Michael Shelpy as Gower, Captain in the English Army.
- John Laurie as Jame, Captain in the English Army. Laurie appeared in all three of Olivier's Shakespeare films, and went on to fame in the TV sitcom, Dad's Army.
- Niall MacGinnis as Macmoris, Captain in the English Army. MacGinnis was a British actor who had many screen appearances.
- Frank Tickle as The Govenor of Harfleur.
- Renee Asherson as Princess Katherine. Katherine is wooed by Henry and becomes his wife. Asherson was a British Actress who was married to Robert Donat.
- Ivy St. Helier as Alice.
- Janet Burnell as Queen Isabel of France. Isabel is the wife of Charles.
- Brian Nissen as Court, Solider in the English Army. Nissen was a British Actor who made many screen and stage appearances.
- Arthur Hambling as Bates, Solider in the English Army.
- Jimmy Hanley as Williams, Solider in the English Army. Hanley was a British actor who made several screen appearances.
- Ernest Hare as A Priest. The priest weds Henry and Katherine together.
- Valentine Dyall as the Duke of Burgundy. Burgundy is a French nobleman. Dyall was a British character actor.
Reception
Academy Awards
Other Awards
Influence
DVD Release
Notes and References
See also
External links
1944 films | Shakespeare on film | Films based on plays | Films set in the middle ages | British films | Best Picture Academy Award nominees | Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award nominated performance
"Henry V (1944 film)"