I am always astonished how much the Henry IV plays and Henry V do lose by the including of these rascal scenes! Compared to the other historical plays of Shakespeare (like Richard II, the Wars of the Roses plays or King John) they are an unpleasant interruption between the lofty scenes of mighty classes in the state and their epic verses; so Shakespeare should have merged the two parts of Henry IV into one play and cut the scenes with Falstaff’s crew out of Henry V!
I couldn't stand Gwillim's interpretation of Henry V but he's excellent in Henry4pt1. I think he's not nearly as strong as most of the cast, and no cast was as good as what we got in this BBC's series version or RIchard II, but I like him a lot in this scene.
"his son but utters in earnest the deepest thoughts of his very soul"..."Gwillim has held his own remarkably"..."it would have been divine if monsieur Branagh had made his version of Henry IV after his superb Henry V"
The contrast between comments on Shakespeare videos and the rest of youtube is absolutely brilliant, and for me much appreciated!
I love the scene where prince Henry seemingly plays his father in jest judging Falstaff as his son but utters in earnest the deepest thoughts of his very soul; the transformation of Henry from a wanton boy to a grave prince is a true masterwork (one of the best Shakespeare has ever done); and his confrontation with the virtuous and renowned Hotspur a true tragic moment; all the more because they are depicted almost as brothers and the lament Henry gives the fallen Hotspur adds to this further...
@BlahLalaification: He gave a decent performance and it is not his fault that he was dressed in the coronation scene like a Victorian dandy; but then again: When playing Shakespeare one has only to recite the proper verses and make an expression and movement roughly fitting and it will work; but it would have been divine if Monsieur Branagh had made his version of Henry IV after his superb Henry V; with Monsieur Brian Blessed (the only Brian whom I do not mock for that name) as his father!
I am always astonished how much the Henry IV plays and Henry V do lose by the including of these rascal scenes! Compared to the other historical plays of Shakespeare (like Richard II, the Wars of the Roses plays or King John) they are an unpleasant interruption between the lofty scenes of mighty classes in the state and their epic verses; so Shakespeare should have merged the two parts of Henry IV into one play and cut the scenes with Falstaff’s crew out of Henry V!
FireEyedMaidOfWar 6 months ago
I couldn't stand Gwillim's interpretation of Henry V but he's excellent in Henry4pt1. I think he's not nearly as strong as most of the cast, and no cast was as good as what we got in this BBC's series version or RIchard II, but I like him a lot in this scene.
TheImpossibleMan 6 months ago
"his son but utters in earnest the deepest thoughts of his very soul"..."Gwillim has held his own remarkably"..."it would have been divine if monsieur Branagh had made his version of Henry IV after his superb Henry V"
The contrast between comments on Shakespeare videos and the rest of youtube is absolutely brilliant, and for me much appreciated!
zwanpumpkin 9 months ago
I love the scene where prince Henry seemingly plays his father in jest judging Falstaff as his son but utters in earnest the deepest thoughts of his very soul; the transformation of Henry from a wanton boy to a grave prince is a true masterwork (one of the best Shakespeare has ever done); and his confrontation with the virtuous and renowned Hotspur a true tragic moment; all the more because they are depicted almost as brothers and the lament Henry gives the fallen Hotspur adds to this further...
GreatGrumbledook 1 year ago
@GreatGrumbledook And in but a few scenes! I must say, contrary to some harsh critique he so received, Gwillim has held his own remarkably.
BlahLalaification 1 year ago
@BlahLalaification: He gave a decent performance and it is not his fault that he was dressed in the coronation scene like a Victorian dandy; but then again: When playing Shakespeare one has only to recite the proper verses and make an expression and movement roughly fitting and it will work; but it would have been divine if Monsieur Branagh had made his version of Henry IV after his superb Henry V; with Monsieur Brian Blessed (the only Brian whom I do not mock for that name) as his father!
GreatGrumbledook 1 year ago