Henry V (1989)
95%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
11 wins & 13 nominations total
Pehaps Kenneth Branagh’s most fully realized Shakespeare adaptation, Henry V is an energetic, passionate, and wonderfully acted film.
Branagh’s Henry V is like a Shakespearean superhero movie, but with more blood and less spandex. The battle scenes are intense, the performances are top-notch, and the cinematography is stunning. It’s a movie that makes you want to stand up and shout “God for Harry, England, and Saint George!” even if you’re not entirely sure what that means. Plus, it’s got Kenneth Branagh in a bowl cut, which is worth the price of admission alone.
Production Company(ies)
Renaissance Films, British Broadcasting Corporation, Curzon Film Distributors
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Crowlink, East Sussex, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for a bloody battle
Year of Release
1989
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 17m
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Language(s):English, French, Latin
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 1989 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2000
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Ian Holm, Paul Scofield, Michael Maloney, Bruce Sharman, reviewed by Peter Travers, Dave Kehr, Michael Wilmington, Noel Murray, Brian D Johnson, directed by Kenneth Branagh, written by Kenneth Branagh, History, Drama, PG-13, $10.2M, Samuel Goldwyn Company, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Surround, Shakespeare adaptation, Agincourt, French King, Dauphin, Chorus, box office, critic reviews, producer Bruce Sharman, MPAA rating, gritty, passionate, energetic, wonderful acting, self-doubt, morale, victory, queen, determination, speeches, bloodiest battles, Shakespearean film, Olivier, Larry’s, rousing Agincourt speech
Worldwide gross: $10,161,099
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $24,760,281
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,628
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,700,140
US/Canada gross: $10,161,099
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $24,760,281
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,340
US/Canada opening weekend: $64,933
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $158,227
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,762
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $9,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $21,930,948
Production budget ranking: 1,328
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $11,809,815
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$8,980,482
ROI to date (est.): -27%
ROI ranking: 1,545
Derek Jacobi – Chorus
Brian Blessed – Exeter
Ian Holm – Fluellen
Paul Scofield – French King
Michael Maloney – Dauphin
Director(s)
Kenneth Branagh
Writer(s)
Kenneth Branagh
Producer(s)
Bruce Sharman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
11 wins & 13 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Costume Design Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (40)
Branagh has made a hotblooded, lively and moving Henry V that speaks pertinently to a new generation.
June 12, 2020
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
There is a great deal of value in Branagh`s version, not least in his own lead performance as a soft, indefinite Henry who defines himself over the course of the play.
November 27, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Dave Kehr
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
If Olivier gave us the glint of sunlight on armor and the wind roaring through the pennants and flags, Branagh gives us the rot, the mold, the wounds and the crusted blood underneath.
November 27, 2019
Michael Wilmington
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
There’s a boldness to Branagh’s Henry V, which shows off the cinematic possibilities of Shakespeare without a lot of distracting razzle-dazzle.
February 4, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Noel Murray
The Dissolve
TOP CRITIC
A stirring, gritty and enjoyable pic which offers a plethora of fine performances from some of the U.K.’s brightest talents.
July 1, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It might never be as famous as Olivier’s, but it should carry considerable clout for years to come.
July 1, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Anthony Quinn
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Reigniting Shakespeare’s poetry on screen, the movie is not only accessible to a general audience — it has enough excitement, wit and suspense to hold its own in the Hollywood fray.
June 12, 2020
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
This is a solidly mounted production, with the contrasts between the finery of the court and the grime of the battlefield as striking as the excellent cast of noted thespians.
November 27, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times
Aside from the confusing scenes with Falstaff, it all works very well and is very impressive considering it is Branagh’s directorial debut.
February 6, 2019 | Rating: 8.5/10
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net
[VIDEO ESSAY] Toward “turning many years into an hourglass,” Branagh the screenwriter condenses “King Henry the Fifth,” while adding in elements from the first and second parts of “King Henry the Fourth.” The effect is seamless.
January 29, 2012 | Rating: A
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Good.
June 14, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
June 17, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com…
Plot
King Henry V of England (Sir Kenneth Branagh) is insulted by King Charles VI of France (Paul Scofield). As a result, he leads his army into battle against France. Along the way, the young King must struggle with the sinking morale of his troops and his own inner doubts. The war culminates at the bloody Battle of Agincourt.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Kenneth Branagh not only directed but also starred as King Henry V in the film.
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