Four Versions of the St. Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V

[BlackBradXL]

The version in the new movie Anonymous is the best i've ever seen.

[drose5200]

I would have loved to hear how Jacobi would say this passage... Of this group, I definitely prefer Branagh's.

[19Tomahawk94]

Branagh by a mile and a half. Olivier isn't an actor, but a reciter of lines he can't even get right in his pretentious, aristocratic voice - revered by the elderly though he is.

[Ettoredipugnar]

2 very gay. 3 out of context. Branagh an attempt to be like Olivier. Olivier the best.

[masoviper]

second and third

[masoviper]

The worst actor i have ever seen!

[kapparomeo]

Pennington's version is definitely the weakest of the four. I can see what he was aiming at - getting carried away with his emotion and his speech emerging as a continuous stream of thought - but the end result is a flat intimerinable drone.

[valocilf]

I loved the second actors interpretation of this speech. I have never seen it done so ...naturally, not a "performance" but a real man talking to his army before a terrible battle. I thought it revealed some of his own uncertainties and hopes I thought it was great. Branagh was too much into "acting"., usually I like him but he missed this one.

[Psychonaut316]

As much as I love these actors and their own particular renditions of this amazing speech, especially since the anniversary of Agincourt is tomorrow, I feel that I want to hear William Shatner do a spoken version of it...

[maghnuis]

As much as I love Olivier, he came off as a performer not a King, not a General. Gwillim captures all that written, the the humor, the emotion, the inspiration.

Pennington was believable as well. Branagh, altho he didn't stink, seemed more focused on his own performance than on touching the hearts of his men.

[Starcastle2009]

Here's an interesting comparison. Branagh's version (which I love) comes across as more cinematic - the complementary score by Patrick Doyle is superb. The person who thought Branagh was singing the words to the music should realize that the movie was post scored - that is music was added after principle production. For me, at least, Olivier seems more stage like. The other two are pedestrian by comparison.

[Brassmask]

Branagh's version has the distinct advantage of background music. He is, in effect, actually singing the speech which provokes a much greater emotional reaction. Specifically, "to the ending of the WORLD!" Note how then the music softens during, "we few, we happy few..." and then swells at "St Crispin's DAY!"

It is a brilliant execution but if the music weren't behind him as he spoke, I fear he might sound like the biggest cured ham.

[Laceykat66]

I love the different interpretations over the years. The classic of Lawrence Olivier, the more civilized of David Gwillim (no wonder Argentina though they could take Britain in the Falklands), Michael Pennington does a good job but it suffers from lack of production values. Kenneth Branagh has good acting, good production values and good music. And he is a great actor who captures the spirit of men in battle.

Thank you for the post.

[09231956]

First of all, thank you, John, for assembling this.

I'm loathe to rank different performances; it's a bit like debating whether vanilla or chocolate taste better. Rather, what wealth there is in Shakespeare's words!

One thought: Of all these performances, in a way, Gwillim's is the most true to Shakespeare. There's no hint in the play that Henry is speaking to a crowd. He only addresses his nobles. Gwillim uses that to give an intriguingly intimate interpretation.

[tombrennan171]

I like Branagh's delivery of the last two sentences. But Gwillim was so good for the lines about coveting honor and of course the "band of brothers" line.

[Starcastle2009]

Branagh's seems stronger, although Olivier was and will always be synonymous with Shakespeare.

[ThoughtorTwo]

I must admit loving Branagh's rousing rendition of this speech. I have listened to it many times on Youtube. But I have always found something amiss about it. He looses much of the nuance and play of the words. This is the first time I have seen Gwillim's version. He is excellent. He really knows what he is saying and how to say it! Yet, Branagh does play better to a popular audience in both delivery and cinematography. Gwillim and Olivier come across as more regal but less robust.

[mollyclaire95]

Branagh was amazing but I could not get off the fact that he has like no lips...

[mamelucoderribado]

someone already remarked this, so the following are borrowed words: "Branagh appeals more to the masses, Olivier speaks like a true King". Branagh is more intense as it should be in the eve of battle, but Sir Laurence is more regal and dignified. Why chose one if we can, actually stay with both of Britain's greatest stage talents?

[timbungeroth]

All great. Branagh had the bells and whistles of its delivery to a large crowd, but Gwillim had found it's truth in the setting of intimacy.

[deveraux32]

Interesting. I thought Branagh was dreadful. Gwillim was the best with Olivier 2nd.

[supernole100]

Branagh, hands down.

[bazonics]

Branagh by a long way.

[deveraux32]

Olivier and Gwillim were sensational.