Day 41: Henry V (1944)

Though many have adapted the works of Shakespeare for film, Laurence Olivier’s directorial attempt at “Henry V” shines above many for both how well the acting conveys the dialogue of the time and how beautiful, in an almost storybook way, Olivier envisions the film from behind the camera.

In the class tale of “Henry V,” Henry (Olivier), King of England, peruses an attempt at taking over France after receiving a offensive gift from the French ambassador. Believing that the French thrown should have always been his, Henry and his men set out for the country and campaign their way through Harfleur, where Henry gives his first big speech to rouse his men (Once more… unto the breach! Dear friends, once more!) and then takes the city.

Fresh from the victory, Henry moves his troops onward to Agincourt, where he encounters the battle of his life. After first disarming the French military with his archers, Henry and his men are served a cruel blow when the French ride out and kill all their squires in the camp. Furious, Henry challenges the French Constable and they fight one-on-one. At first, the Constable strikes at Henry with his sword, but soon he brings out mace, taking England’s king off guard. The Constable strikes and Henry is forced to drop his sword. Now unprepared for attack, Henry will have to think fast if he ever plans to take over France and then woe the hand of the fair Princess Katherine (Renee Asherson).

This version of the great “Henry V” brings a fresh perspective to the production by making a very unique stylistic choice. For the first third of the film, all scenes take place in the “Globe Theater,” where Shakespeare first showed his plays. In this way, Olivier sets the mood as more fun then serious by having men and woman gather in the theatre and woop and holler for the hero and hiss and laugh at the antagonists. This brings a fresh perspective to a genre as its main thrust of jokes and drama had been lost to many through its archaic language. With this “audience” in place, the filmgoers are given a bit of guidance to the humor- almost as a laugh track for Shakespeare.

But what truly marks Olivier’s “Henry V” as one of the best adaptations of “the Bard” is not simply its look or feel, but its purpose. Filmed while still in the midst of World War Two, Olivier was contacted by none other than Winston Churchill about the film, hoping that this tale of taking back France could be used as great morale-boosting propaganda for the British troops. So connected were these real and retold wars that the making and release of the film even coincided with the Allied invasion of Normandy and its push into France.

But, even beyond it’s use as a morale tool, Laurence Olivier’s “Henry V” is a great achievement. It is a film about a story, which is shown to us through a play and, while more cinematic versions of Shakespeare have been done, there is something very intriguing about watching the story of Kind Henry and his men “live” from the Globe theatre.

To learn more about “Henry V,” check out Criterion’s page here.

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