'All time favourite' war film with 'greatest actor' now streaming for free on ITV
Henry V was written and directed by Kenneth Branagh in his feature directorial debut
Henry V, the historical drama that continues to captivate audiences years after its release, boasts an impressive 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Kenneth Branagh made his directorial debut with this film, also penning the script and starring as the eponymous King Henry V of England, bringing Shakespeare's 16th-century play to the silver screen.
The film is often hailed as one of the finest Shakespeare adaptations ever produced, a sentiment echoed by its numerous accolades and critical acclaim.
At the Oscars, Henry V was nominated for three major awards, with Branagh winning two for his direction and lead performance.
One review praised the film, saying: "This is one of my all-time favourites. Branagh's interpretation of Henry V brings Shakespeare's play to life in a raw, gritty way. Branagh's interpretation of Henry is in line with Shakespeare's writing, hailing the king as a pious and well-intentioned sovereign."
Another highlighted the portrayal of the monarch: "Historians can argue Henry V's true intentions and nature all they want; Shakespeare certainly saw him as one of the greatest heroes of English history, and Branagh bears this out.", reports the Express.
The iconic St Crispin's Day speech from the original play is given a powerful cinematic treatment in the film, further cementing its status as a beloved classic.
On the eve of the monumental Battle of Agincourt, Henry V rouses his men, who are significantly outnumbered, to envision the glory and immortality they will achieve if they emerge victorious.
This speech is renowned for coining the phrase 'band of brothers' and is a pivotal moment in the film that captivated audiences. One critic stated: "The acting is brilliant and high energy. It's a great film adaptation of Shakespeare's play. If you're into Shakespeare, then you'll probably love itI really enjoyed the acting in this one. It's worth watching just to see the Crispin's Day speech."
Another reviewer praised it as "the greatest speech by the most outstanding actor of the last 50 years."
A further viewer said: "A classic war drama of a Shakespeare play. Everything is really well done, with the standout being Kenneth, who commands every scene he is in. Sometimes the flashbacks can be a little abrupt, and this seems very faithful to the source material."
Also gracing the screen in this "masterpiece" film is a star-studded cast, featuring none other than Christian Bale as Robbing the luggage boy and a young Emma Thompson as Princess Catherine of Valois. Joining them on screen are Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench, James Larkin and Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane.
"Incredibly moving. A masterpiece", were the words one fan used to describe the film.
"Other reviews have naturally compared Henry V to the Laurence Olivier 1944 play, which was hugely successful in its own ownright, but stylistically was far less gritty and accessible for audiences than the 1989 film."
Henry V is now available for streaming on ITVX.
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