Branagh's Film Henry V example essay topic

In Kenneth Branagh's film Henry V he ensures that his audience fully appreciates the many sides of Henry's character. The movie shows Henry in various roles that allow the audience to see a well-rounded picture of him. He is portrayed as a king, fighter, dispenser of justice, religious, merciful, manipulative, betrayer and knowledgeable. This is done through the traditional play being converted into a movie and Kenneth adding his own personal interpretations of how the play should be viewed. Henry is portrayed as a ruthless good king which contains many qualities within it.

The play opens with a silhouette and a sharp focus on Henry. The nobles bow down to Henry which suggests that he is accepted as king. The predominant concern of Henry V is the nature of leadership and his responsibility towards ethics. He is an excellent leader of England who through his inspiring speeches conquers France despite being outnumbered considerably. In the scene before England are to fight Henry makes a spectacular speech in which all of his army are completely concentrated on him which suggests he is respected by a vast majority. In the movie Henry is also portrayed as heroic because he fights with his army and takes the same risks that his men are taking.

His inspiration which he passes onto his army leads to the success of the English army and helps Henry to achieve a heroic status. Branagh also portrays Henry as being a betrayer. In becoming a great king, he is forced to act as though he is better than the common man and cannot have any association with this type of person, as it might seem immoral and even unforgivable. In order for Henry to be seen as an appropriate and great leader he has to betray friends such as Falstaff, Bardolph and Mistress Quickly. In the movie Branagh has flashbacks which are shown in a brownish colour that informs the audience of his past friendship with these people. He betrays his once friends by his total denial of association with Falstaff and his agreement to the hanging of Bardolph for petty theft.

In the movie Bardolph looks at him as though Henry is his last hope. Henry cannot allow him to get away with his crime because he cannot have his army misbehaving. Henry is also shown to be manipulative through many of his actions. Although a rather negative quality, manipulation is necessary in his position because he is responsible for the well-being and stability of his entire nation and must put aside his person feelings, desires, dislikes etc. Henry is made to look merciful by letting a man who was drunk and ridiculing his name out of seizure and not executing him.

He is then manipulative by giving letters to Cambridge, Scope and Grey which are supposed to detail their orders for war but instead inform them of their execution. Henry had discovered that these men were plotting to assassinate him. In the movie Henry's manipulation really shows when the men read the letters. Also another example of him being manipulative is his speech to the governor of Harfluer. He tells him to give up or all the deaths that will occur will be the governor's fault. He is manipulative in the way that he shifts responsibility for the lives of the citizens to the governor.

In conclusion, Branagh's filming of the play ensures that the audience sees the many sides of Henry. Henry is an extraordinary good leader, extremely intelligent, focused and inspiring. However, more specifically he is a ruthless good king, a betrayer and manipulative. Through Branagh's filming of the play these qualities stand out significantly amongst the vast number of sides to his personality.

His interpretation of the play is accurate and well delivered.