Shakespeare's Henry V Act III, Scene I by Laurence Olivier

[mazzymuso]

Robert Newton was hilarious in this film as 'Pistol'. People forget what a great comedian he could be. Shame he died at only 50 due to his problems with drinking.

[mazzymuso]

Robert Newton is hilarious in this scene. People forget what a great actor/comedian he could be. Sad that he destroyed himself with drink and died at only 50.

[mags102755]

prefer kenneth Branagh

[TheUndeadFuzzleMuzzl]

in the description you spelt fifth wrong... man i hate english essays...

[pinz2022]

This does sure as hell not look like Northern Europe.

[dickinsm]

you have to watch the video in english subtitles ...."but when the blast of wardrobes are not intended to take the action of a tiger" haha

[astrolog7000]

I love Laurence Olivier, though. I have had a fatal case of love for him ever since I saw "Wuthering Heights" with him in it. I think he was the handsomest man who ever lived.

[exiledred77]

This is the worst delivery of this most important soliloquy I have ever seen in my life, if I was one of those soldiers I think I'd run away, I'd be thinking '

'and what do you know about tigers you effete pratt'

Olivier is overrated, lifeless and as wooden as the fake scenery, even Rik Mayall's humourous delivery of this is more stirring. Its almost as bad as seeing him 'blacked up' playing 'Othello'

[xlntjames]

@exiledred77 Olivier was a very talented actor, this soliloquy was very well delivered I think you are being way too harsh!

[WritersForumUK]

@xlntjames it's not a soliloquy. It's a monologue. There is a big difference...a soliloquy isn't heard by the other characters.

[fishfinderflyfishing]

@xlntjames performances like this were deemed as 'talented' by the elite classes who regularly went to theatres and enjoyed watching leaders and kings portrayed as speaking and acting 'like them.'

There is not an ounce of realism or believability in this particular delivery.

Olivier was talented yes, very talented, but that kind of performance wouldn't get past audition today.

[Vindog76]

I'm sorry but Branagh's reading had more passion and action. This seems flat and uninspiring by comparison

[yvwic50]

@Vindog76 I totally agree. To reiterate my comment under Branagh's version: I would have followed him right into France, I wouldn't have followed Olivier to the salad bar.

[TheTudorsVIII]

Branagh is sooo much better than Olivier!

[Vindog76]

@TheTudorsVIII Hear Hear. Even the Chorus was flat in this version.

[JDev82]

@TheTudorsVIII i was always told to worship olivier, but from the first time i saw his richard iii, i began to have my doubts. he just lacks conviction.

[xlntjames]

@JDev82 He was brilliant in Richard III, one of the best performances I have seen

[adamskidmore]

this war this is willpower pay for your own funerals -free will the enemy of the state and inter relate-shakespeRE

[stevevandien]

The Chorus is Leslie Banks, in case nobody else has noted this:). By any standard, Olivier's film and performance are great. So are Branagh's. Although very different, they are equally valid. How fortunate we are to have them both:) --

[yurtubsuks]

olivier's film was quite the propaganda picture, a desperately needed pep talk to encourage Britain to continue fighting for its freedom against Nazi Germany in WW2. "England and St. George!!!"

[docterphreak]

God and Saint George, Richmond and Victory!" From RIII

[Pseudologic]

And who are you to make such a judgement?

[yurtubsuks]

read the history, it's true if you know anything about olivier.

[Pseudologic]

@yurtubsuks

So Shakespeare wrote a play in 1600s as a propaganda for 1940s? Because the Brits needed a movie about defeating the French to inspire them against the Germans in a way that German bombardment never did? Don't you wish

didn't drink alcohol when she was pregnant with you?

[yurtubsuks]

no,no,no, the film directed by laurence olivier was regarded by the british government at the time as ideal patriotic wartime propaganda. olivier himself was dissapointed when he was not sent into action when he joined the RAF.

[streamlinesofficial]

@yurtubsuks I would be hesitant to call it "propoganda", it was more a patriotic and nationalistic morale-booster with the british people in the final months of the war. Hence, there were very few scenes of individual death and sacrifice.

[ejshulman]

Laurence Olivier is a LEGEND!!!

[alloallo3]

But David Gwillim's Henry V is the best. There is none of the cinematic bombast - just a stage version, with a touch of sadness, and improbably, perhaps some modesty.

As for Olivier - his Hamlet is unequaled, but this isn't his best work.

And for Branagh - his head is too large by a fifth to a fourth, both literally and figuratively.

[jadvs73]

I believe these words echoed throughout the centuries, particularly when Britain found herself in some disadvantegeous/desperate situations but managed to get the upper hand. For a British, standards were always high...

[jeffdahn]

Having seen both Oliviers and Branaghs version of this several times, I much prefer Branagh.

Oliviers is jingoistic, understandable given the time of filming, but his performance has always struck me as being somewhat flat.

After watching Branagh gove both this speech, and the one at the gates of Harfleur, I was roused to the core.

[JD1010101110]

nice painting

[valocilf]

I like Ken Brannagh, but I think he's a bit too ... ordinary and little for this part. His performance reminds me of a school boys, honestly, I saw this done at a grammar school recently and the kid did as good a job as Ken, it was remarkable. Olivier is so much more grand and cinematic, more rousing,,, but he had to be bigger than life--Agincourt and WWII and all.

[ohauss]

Can't see that as more rousing, I'm afraid. It's a theatrical declamation to the core, whereas with Brannagh, "the game's afoot" indeed. I like Olivier in general, but here, I don't have the feeling he's in the middle of a battle striving to get his disheartened soldiers to attack once more or risk losing everything that has been gained so far.

[oldgattonian2]

I fist saw this film when I was eight years old back in 1958 as part of a school history lesson. I know it was made during WW11 in Ireland as a propaganda film to inspire the nation and I can confirm it WAS made in colour. The actual battle was more complicated than what is shown in the film but the acting is superb. Thank you for posting it on youtube. I have recently found out that I have 5 ancestors who took part in the 100 years war, four of them being Archers.

[maxiboy666]

Olivier. What an actor. A true master. Branagh meanwhile comes nowhere near though he would like to think so. Idiot!

[grailchaser]

Oliver? Sitting there on his horse, so warm and ready for battle that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, reciting the Bard's lines as if they had no more life than the soil atop a freshly turned grave? How can you even compare that to Branagh's rendition? Branagh stirs the heart, fires the blood and leaves one as ready to do foul ruin upon the French as a chorus of bagpipes to a Scots Regiment. Oliver's day is done. His magnificence lingering on only in the perfect past of our imaginations.

[SpartanDfnder]

wow. the way you described Branagh's rendition of Henry V versus Olivier's is spot on. I agree 100%

Branagh is the powerhouse, he really has a hold on charisma and performance, Olivier just seems to go about it soulessly

[SPSsubmission]

yeah! good thing its just a play.

[toReasonWhy]

Rofl, Shakespeare's words are nearly all impossible in real situations anyway, but the idea of a general reciting this speech in this manner is ludicrous-- he wouldn't inspire an army of ants. And obviously the battlefield would quiet down and wait for him just like this.

[edam14]

Ergh I hated it

its so rushed and babbled ergh

[se18doug]

FOR ENGLAND AND ST GEORGE!

[maureenOWW]

Although the fact he is massively gay and camp in real life does take the shine off it lol.

[UFOIST]

Stirring stuff indeed - Pat Condell should consider the role - lol.

[mmmbeachlover]

now required in 25 different languages!

[Brythonek]

They should show this more often in schools...

[sashma2]

It makes me want to yell:

"GOD FOR HARRY, ENGLAND, AND SAINT GEORGE!!!!"

[vladtepesblogdotcom]

So much which is quotable from that play. I should get back to work memorizing the St. Crispens speech from the end. I am half assedly lobbying the government of Canada to make Crispens a national holiday just to piss off Quebec.

[sashma2]

LOL. Sounds good! Now all we need is for England to make July 4th a national holiday.

[kloiuyth]

Different men different times. Interpretation will always differ. Like them both.

[Philpotts24]

Yes, it is a superb piece of film....but, please, do the man a courtesy and spell his name correctly! Thank you.

[lionheart042672]

it is beautiful, the way he speaks and acts, just wonderful!

[lionheart042672]

this is so awesome, !

[Arpiainen2]

Brr.....the end of his speech gave me the chills.

[ShakespeareFlix]

Once more ... ShakespeareAndMore provides us with a key moment. Thanks again.

[tenorismo]

Olivier Belives in the speach that he is presenting. Also the sprit of the time . The war was still rageing,and he is Henry I love it when he turns around and charges once again. With the Banner of St. George visible. Branagh acts the speach , but he is a modern man. Hes a democrat . PPutting his hands on the shoulders of his men.

[ballantrae101]

The thing I like about this more than the Branagh version, is the "psycho" quality to his voice. He's an insane place, he has to get his men to do an insane thing, so his voice takes a wild quality.

[armstronguk10]

kenneth branagh,eat your heart out,for you are not worthy to tie this mans bootlaces.eddie armstrong

[ballantrae101]

you're too harsh.  I never heard that Branagh compare himself. And why should he? He's a masterful actor in his own right. Laurence Olivier is something else altogether.

[vladtepesblogdotcom]

Im sorry Ken was more passionate and believable, less classical so to speak. When you watch Kenneth as Henry V you don't need a lexicon to know what is being said. He is closer to the mood and expresses that which is being said rather than 'acting' so to speak.

[NickOLarse999]

apparantly mourinho used to recite this to the team before every chelsea game...

[ssmitty1337]

heh this scene always made me laugh seeing / reading the play, once more unto the breach, once more dear friends or close them up with our english dead!.....thats such a great way to ask what essentially is go kill yourself for me and england! not an easy sell, henry is a great orator and character despite the flaws shakespeare gave him i find him the single most effective military speech orator in all his work

[mcdonabe01]

Same here, thank you! It has helped me loads for a college monologue.