tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post2492196863715241803..comments2024-03-27T21:42:56.131-05:00Comments on 1001plus: Henry V (1989)SJHoneywellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-71436860522755118092014-03-19T11:35:50.041-05:002014-03-19T11:35:50.041-05:00The post-battle sequence is the most moving sequen...The post-battle sequence is the most moving sequence in the film, even more than the death of the beloved Falstaff character. For me, one of the best lines in the play/film is Henry, hurt and exhausted, covered in dirt and gore, telling the French herald he has no idea who even won the battle. It's those battle sequences that bring home the true horror of what went on on that battlefield (also one of the only things a film like <i>Braveheart</i> did right).<br /><br />The scene with Emma Thompson is cute. "The niy-ils...the fan-gers...the nick..." The scene with them at the end is cute, too. I love the moment when he asks if she will love him, she says she doesn't know, and he says something to the effect of, "Do your neighbors know? Can I ask them?"SJHoneywellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-3330678891949301552014-03-18T23:16:04.508-05:002014-03-18T23:16:04.508-05:00This is one of my favorite movies ever, not just S...This is one of my favorite movies ever, not just Shakespeare adaptations. I find when I show it to non-Shakespeare people, they sometimes have a tough time in the very beginning (not the Chorus part, but when Henry is basically convincing himself and his nobles that he has the right to the throne of France), but once the battle scenes start, they're right there. Thankfully, Branagh includes just enough of that political posturing to set things up but moves on quickly. My favorite scene by far is right after the battle, with the long tracking shot of Henry carrying the dead child and the chorus singing Non Nobis Domine. Second favorite is the princess trying to learn English, which is cute even though obviously Emma Thompson knows English quite well. Heh.<br /><br />I've long been a proponent of watching Shakespeare performed rather than reading it. I'm convinced that the reason people have such a hard time with him in high school (and end up disliking him) is because they're forced to read the plays without ever seeing them. I'm also for introducing kids to the Charles and Mary Lamb Stories from Shakespeare, because knowing the plot beats helps a lot in figuring out the language and being able to determine what things mean from context.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03288833179709873110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-74954714798483726162014-03-16T09:08:49.752-05:002014-03-16T09:08:49.752-05:00My mom taught me that when I had to read Billy the...My mom taught me that when I had to read Billy the Shake in school. She recommended reading it aloud, and it helped tremendously. In this case, it helps to see it acted, too.<br /><br />Brian Blessed is a cave troll with a beard, which makes him like a force of nature, both terrifying and beautiful. When I see him, my first thought is that it would be an honor to have him kill me in combat.SJHoneywellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-9740229676415226492014-03-16T09:06:40.381-05:002014-03-16T09:06:40.381-05:00That was exactly where I was with it. I was trolli...That was exactly where I was with it. I was trolling the library and realized it had been years since I'd watched this and immediately had to see it. I'm with you on Branagh's <i>Hamlet</i>, too. I love his casting choices when he does Shakespeare.<br /><br />For the non-Shakespeare person, the sell here really is the battles.SJHoneywellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-37132344980786527162014-03-15T22:50:28.267-05:002014-03-15T22:50:28.267-05:00I agree that it's SO much easier to understand...I agree that it's SO much easier to understand Shakespeare when spoken. I've tried reading him time and again and always give up. But after about five minutes of listening to it, it clicks and my mind starts translating. (Plus, I get the added benefit of my mind constantly praising itself for understanding it. I'm just always so amazed and impressed at myself.) ;-)<br /><br />Brian Blessed is awesome. That is all.<br />Ipecachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15157560182505626755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-57907802961345914542014-03-14T14:56:09.221-05:002014-03-14T14:56:09.221-05:00I love that you touched on the battle sequences. ...I love that you touched on the battle sequences. People often forget how well Branagh directs the action in this film. He really brings the play to life in a visceral way. Frankly I will still take this film and his four hour version of Hamlet over a large number of the other Shakespeare inspired works that have come out since. I really need to revisit this great film soon, it has been a few years since I last gave it a spin. Courtney Smallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00045575858464121137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-43336958710163474062014-03-13T22:08:42.761-05:002014-03-13T22:08:42.761-05:00Yep. Even now, a few days later, I'd love to w...Yep. Even now, a few days later, I'd love to watch it again. It makes me want to go beat up French people just 'cause.SJHoneywellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166297507174717122.post-53615887467823258202014-03-13T19:53:11.953-05:002014-03-13T19:53:11.953-05:00I completely agree. This is a fantastic version o...I completely agree. This is a fantastic version of this story. Right from the opening where the one man Greek chorus throws open the stage doors to the "real" events I knew it was a fresh, different take on Shakespeare.Chip Laryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787403805554027107noreply@blogger.com