Moving Pictures

Ooh. There’s a logo I haven’t seen in a minute. But it’s also rather surprising that a first-time director — doing a long version of Henry V — would get distribution on that level, isn’t it?

Yes, I’m continuing my Festival Of 80s Art House Movies.

So meta!

Such mascara.

Augustus!

This is good stuff! I remember the buzz about this movie was that somebody had dared make a … fundamentalist? … version of Shakespeare for the screen again. And indeed it makes it a thrilling thing to watch.

(I mean, it’s an edited text, but it’s not heavily modernised.)

THAT DARN CAT

It’s so tense!

And I love these bits, too.

WHERE”S OSHA THAT”S TOO CLOSE TO THE CLIFFS

The production is spiffy, but I don’t quite believe in Ken’s hairdo. That’s a very 1989 cut. I mean, I can see how they’ve tried to make it something else, but they’ve worked so hard at it that it’s gone full circle.

I’m gonna use that phrase more often from now on.

Heh heh this is fun.

Heh heh:

King Charles VI of France did not command the French army as he suffered from psychotic illnesses and associated mental incapacity.

And:

Henry V received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best Shakespeare screen adaptations ever produced. Among its numerous accolades, the film received three nominations at the 62nd Academy Awards, two of which went to Branagh (Best Director and Best Actor). Henry V won with its other nomination, Best Costume Design for Phyllis Dalton.

Despite being nominated for the Oscars a lot, it’s a good movie. I think the scenes with Henry at night in the camp are magical. It sort of falls short of that in the final scenes. Which are cute! But they’re kinda like “er”.

So I wondered whether this movie got any votes in the Sight & Sound 2022 poll — and nope. Not a single one.

Which is understandable.

But it’s a good movie.

Henry V. Kenneth Branagh. 1989. ⚄