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Sam Everett
10Mar13
I didn't feel Branagh was the right choice for Henry the Fifth, I just didn't see him working in the role. The feel of the film overall was one of a stage production on screen, rather than a proper adaptation. Those tropes that work well on stage don't necessarily translate well to screen. The chorus (Derek Jacobi) was an unwelcome touch, who grew to grate on me with every appearance.
Mark Desrosiers
17Jun12
Hal's not evil, exactly, just a sad and sanguinary victim-hero of "adulthood" (note that the victory at Agincourt had zero long-term benefits for perfidious Albion). Branagh pulls off the plum gig (barely), but the real star here is Brian Blessed as Exeter: an immense badass with brains, teeth, and brawn. It's no wonder the camera often cuts to his merest facial expressions: young Branagh knew Blessed had his back.
Classroom Battles
23Feb12
Not as striking as "Hamlet" was, "Henry V" remains a stunningly good adaptation, enforced by an amazing direction. The Azincourt Battle scene was pretty damn good.
swordofdoom
28Oct11
The soundtrack contributes so much and stands alone as one the best OST recordings period... has already outlived the film (who was in it? that guy with the accent?).
DT
2Oct11
Not my favourite from Shakespeare – for one, I don’t care much for a lot of the subplots, with Catherine's parts especially letting this down – but it’s certainly got its fair share of fantastic moments, which are transposed onto the screen excellently. Branagh, Dench and Coltrane as the wily Falstaff are standouts; behind the camera, the authentic and immersive mise en scène also adds a lot to the experience.
