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Amazon.co.uk Review
The definitive call to arms, Laurence Olivier's Henry V is a patriotic saga awash with pageantry, battles, romance and political chicanery. Intended to rally Britain during the darkest days of World War II, the film shows how the star of England sought to stake an ancestral, royal claim on the soil of France. Olivier once said, famously, that "it isn't until you're older that you can understand the pictorial beauty of heroism". And at the ripe age of 37, the actor essays an insouciant character endowed with great powers of strength, spirit, and intellect. From the moment Olivier strides on screen, the audience is held both rapt and willingly captive. During his magnificent "St. Crispin's Day" speech, Olivier refuses to indulge in excessive personal close-ups, choosing instead to depict the communal impact of his words on the troops. Though he understands the importance of clear, realistic communication, Olivier the director also displays a penchant for artifice--as exemplified by his decision to open the film in a replica of the Globe Theatre. The play's various diplomatic exchanges--usually of the dull, obligatory variety--are enlivened through touches of light comedy: a sly wind blows court papers over the set as courtiers argue over boundaries and treaties. There is also humour to be found in the King's taciturn romancing of Princess Katharine (Renée Asherson). But there are also plenty of large-scale events, with Olivier demonstrating the fleetness of Shakespeare's world even as he mimics the headlong rush of destruction. A romanticised film of a nation at war, the director leaves no doubt that the British victory over the French at Agincourt (1415) was Medieval England's and the King's finest military triumph. The film is rendered complete by William Walton's magnificent score, which pushes all the appropriate patriotic buttons. For his efforts, Olivier received a special Oscar "for his outstanding achievement as actor, producer, and director in bringing Henry V to the screen". --Kevin Mulhall
DVD Description
Henry V is one of Shakespeare's most compelling historical plays. Early in the play, Henry sets out to press his claim to the Crown of France. His small expedition encounters vastly superior French forces at Agincourt, and there Henry delivers his famous exhortation to the soldiers. His army victorious, the King visits the French Court where he meets and marries Catherine of Valois, thereby establishing the beginning of a promising alliance with France. Henry V was produced and directed by Laurence Olivier.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (dual mono), English subtitles only, but very clear and well-lettered. 1.33:1 aspect ratio - which most importantly for those with odd plasmas like mine that decide to put sidebars in distracting light grey, ITV have thoughtfully centred the film within their own black background.
Extras:
A very, very interesting and instructional commentary by some film historian called Bruce, artistically in every way you'll learn that Olivier knew what he was about. Portrait stills of the actors. Promotional material - posters and flyers. A fantastic digital copy of the original 'Lecture Material' that was distributed with reels for instructional use in 'factories and schools'. Very educational.
The front cover does not lie - this be clear and bright and the vivid mediaeval colours are faithfully brought back to life. Specially remastered for this release it is a blu-ray success story. Finally you can see the film you've only seen before in the beaming still photos. Do realise though that this be old; there are a rare few shots which have not stood the test of time and colour stability can fluctuate.
As for the film itself, this is stirring stuff and for many reasons, Olivier not the least, the play will never be bettered at the cinema. The production sets are obviously fake and stagey but done stylistically in a wonderful and atmospheric way based on mediaeval paintings and are not shown-up by blu-ray detail - in fact I wondered how they managed to put a faraway castle on a real hill - was it cardboard, did they paint on film, superimpose? Even the outside location filming is excellent.
The original soundtrack is superb and still the best rendition of Walton's music, from the rollicking beginning to the ineffably sweet Touch her soft lips and part.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll invade France - your brain will get bigger just by listening to Larry's enunciation - what more can you ask?
Extras:
A very, very interesting and instructional commentary by some film historian called Bruce, artistically in every way you'll learn that Olivier knew what he was about. Portrait stills of the actors. Promotional material - posters and flyers. A fantastic digital copy of the original 'Lecture Material' that was distributed with reels for instructional use in 'factories and schools'. Very educational.
The front cover does not lie - this be clear and bright and the vivid mediaeval colours are faithfully brought back to life. Specially remastered for this release it is a blu-ray success story. Finally you can see the film you've only seen before in the beaming still photos. Do realise though that this be old; there are a rare few shots which have not stood the test of time and colour stability can fluctuate.
As for the film itself, this is stirring stuff and for many reasons, Olivier not the least, the play will never be bettered at the cinema. The production sets are obviously fake and stagey but done stylistically in a wonderful and atmospheric way based on mediaeval paintings and are not shown-up by blu-ray detail - in fact I wondered how they managed to put a faraway castle on a real hill - was it cardboard, did they paint on film, superimpose? Even the outside location filming is excellent.
The original soundtrack is superb and still the best rendition of Walton's music, from the rollicking beginning to the ineffably sweet Touch her soft lips and part.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll invade France - your brain will get bigger just by listening to Larry's enunciation - what more can you ask?
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Here I compare the ITV/DVD Blu-ray release of Henry V with the 10-year-old Criterion (Region 1) DVD release.
There is no comparison in terms of picture quality. ITV have done an exceptional digital restoration of the 1944 color film, such that it must look about as good as when first released a year later. The unmodified print that Criterion used a decade ago suffered from numerous problems that made watching it a less-than-pleasurable experience. Now one can focus - in high-definition - on the terrific staging, editing and (of course) dialogue. I know this was a wartime propaganda version of the play, but Olivier somehow made this film emblematic of a larger and timeless aspect of British history.
For North Americans this "B"-locked disc is a strong argument to purchase a region-free blu-ray player. There are apparently many outstanding British films to be released in coming months in region-locked format (e.g., all of the Bfi catalog) that require such a machine, and if they all look as good as Henry V (1944) it's a no-brainer.
Kudos to the restoration team at ITV/DVD. And too bad for Criterion - they seem to be behind the curve on blu-ray releases of film classics from the mid-20th century.
There is no comparison in terms of picture quality. ITV have done an exceptional digital restoration of the 1944 color film, such that it must look about as good as when first released a year later. The unmodified print that Criterion used a decade ago suffered from numerous problems that made watching it a less-than-pleasurable experience. Now one can focus - in high-definition - on the terrific staging, editing and (of course) dialogue. I know this was a wartime propaganda version of the play, but Olivier somehow made this film emblematic of a larger and timeless aspect of British history.
For North Americans this "B"-locked disc is a strong argument to purchase a region-free blu-ray player. There are apparently many outstanding British films to be released in coming months in region-locked format (e.g., all of the Bfi catalog) that require such a machine, and if they all look as good as Henry V (1944) it's a no-brainer.
Kudos to the restoration team at ITV/DVD. And too bad for Criterion - they seem to be behind the curve on blu-ray releases of film classics from the mid-20th century.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I first saw this epic film in 46 or 7 as a 9 or 10 year old boy, it continues to impress me although the directorial style may be a little too theatrical for today's audiences. The restoration on Blu Ray in terms of colour and sharpness are first class, bright, vibrant and scatch free. This print must be as good as when I first saw it in a theatre. The sound is less good but I know there is probably little that can be done about that. There are some marvellous set pieces from Olivier which are worth the money alone. I choose Blue Ray discs with care and Henry V was a must for my library.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Henry V: Men In Tights
Terrible costumes, wobbly sets, hilarious makeup, dodgy Irish and Welsh accents. Yes, the guy who wrote the script had a way with words, I grant you. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Simon Bendle
Laurence Olivier's who also gives a revelatory performance to...
THIS IS A RARE silver screen collection FROM THE RANK COLLECTION.
(THE FILM):
Henry V is one of Shakespeare's most compelling historical plays. Read more
(THE FILM):
Henry V is one of Shakespeare's most compelling historical plays. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. F. husseiny
Olivier's Henry V
An all time classic and one of Oliviers best performances ever. Don't be put off by the fact that it dates from 1944. You will never find better!
Published 15 months ago by Leo
Classic Productions
A great film that never seems to fade it has me enthralled from start to finish every time I sit and watch it
Published 16 months ago by B3
Olivier's Henry V
Interesting to think that this was made in WWII, so it's a great exercise in propaganda. Compare the occasionally stilted, stagy performances to the Branagh version. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Caz
Pristine Blu ray of classic Shakespeare film.
Henry V [Blu-ray] [1945]
This classic 1945 Shakespeare film with Laurence Olivier as the inspirational monarch is very much of its time, and strikes probably a unique... Read more
This classic 1945 Shakespeare film with Laurence Olivier as the inspirational monarch is very much of its time, and strikes probably a unique... Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by pointone
Henry V: A Winner on DVD
Laurence Olivier's wonderful film (1944)of Shakespeare's Henry V has always been a big favourite of mine. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by Jonathan M. D. Rogers
Classic Technicolour
Henry V was originally put on DVD with Criterion. There was colour boosting to make it look like it originally did. This Blu-ray is how the movie looks now. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2009 by R. BUKOWSKI
ITV back on form...
After the dire "39 Steps" it's great to report what other reviewers have said. A great restoration of this masterpiece. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2009 by R. Shore
Wonderful
beyond words. certainly beyond mine. a caste of genius, a director of genius, a play of genius.
Published on 7 Oct 2009 by Mr. David G. Webster
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