Henry V Movie Review Summary

Based on history and the plays by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V" is the story of the young English king who makes war with France to rouse his nation and to complete his transition from playful prince to powerful monarch. High church officials and advisors, eager at the chance for war with France, find enough excuses in the technicalities of regal law. The French throne passed through the hands of a woman and is illegimate, they argue. The young king, still seen by many of his subjects (and close friends) as "Hal," the carousing and carefree prince, seizes war as an opportunity to remake his image and live up to the glorious memories of his ancestors. The French are defiant and confident. To them, the boy king poses no great threat and the Dauphin taunts Henry with a gift of tennis balls. The army departs for the French coast, and Henry is cruelly just with two traitors. At Harfleur he is an inspiring and victorious field commander. Later, he is again cruelly just when he orders the execution of an old acquaintance accused of looting. The plot builds to the great battle at Agincourt, where the English army, enobled by Henry's appeal to the "band of brothers," smashes the larger French army and cavalry. The English inflict great casualities and receive few. French atrocities, including the murdering of the young squires, does not prevent Henry from treating his vanquished foes with mercy and dignity. At parley with the French king, he takes the crown but insists on wooing princess Katherine. He will not take what he can persuade. Asked why she should marry the enemy of France, silver-tongued Harry, now all matured, says that he is no enemy of France, but that he loves it so that he will not part with a piece of it. There engagement is announced, the Chorus gives an epilogue, fade to black, the credits roll ...
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