Henry V Prologue [1944 Olivier Film]

This is the opening of the 1944 Olivier film. Leslie Banks is the actor. Three lines have been cut. Here is the entire Prologue.
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels,
Leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire
Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all,
The flat unraised spirits that have dared
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object: can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
[next three lines are cut]
O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million;
And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
{[/ ]
On your imaginary forces work.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls
Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
Into a thousand parts divide on man,
And make imaginary puissance;
Think when we talk of horses, that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth;
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years
Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
Admit me Chorus to this history;
Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Henry V
• Olivier
• Shakespeare

[GCmediacourse]

3:17 - 3:27 The 17th Earl of Oxford ?

[richroach1]

What a thrill to have the camera swing down amidst the model city of Shakespeare's London! I enjoyed all the pomp and ceremony, the people selling apples and oranges, the variety of people, and the music.

[doubledouble70]

Thank you. Makes me so proud to be from this England, this Sceptred Isle.

[Cogniscent1]

In its way, one of the great films and winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture. Important culturally, politically and militarily, given its links to D-Day 1944.

[tlyoung88]

Actually we can cram within this wooden O or silicon squre monitor the very casques that affrighted the air at Agincourt.

[thevampirefrog06]

Holy Shakespeare, Batman! Wasn't the chorus there in Robin Hood?!

[mihipolly]

10x a lot for the video

[mihipolly]

10x a lot for the video