Shakespeare's Henry V (Act I, scene 2) by Laurence Olivier

King Henry listens to Canterbury's arguments for the claim on French dukedoms, then receives tennis balls from the French Ambassador.

This selection ends with Chorus' bit (with some lines cut, as in scene above) at start of Act 2 (Arden edition)


Laurence Olivier ... King Henry V
Nicholas Hannen ... Duke of Exeter
Gerald Case ... Earl of Westmoreland
Felix Aylmer ... Archbishop of Canterbury
Ernest Thesiger ... The French Ambassador
Leslie Banks ... Chorus


From the film "The Chronicle Historie of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France" (1944)

directed by Lord Olivier...Fine music by William Walton.

words by William Shakespeare


James Agee writes:

..Some people, using I wonder what kind of dry ice for comfort, like to insist that "Henry V" is relatively uninteresting Shakespeare. This uninteresting
poetry is such that after hearing it, in this production, I find it as hard to judge fairly even the best writing since Shakespeare as it is to see the
objects in a room after looking into the sun. The one great glory of the film is this language. The greatest credit I can assign to those who made the film is that they have loved and served the language so well. I don't feel that much of the delivery is inspired; it is merely so good, so right, that the words set loose in the graciously designed world of the screen, like so many uncaged birds, fully enjoy and take care of themselves...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Laurence-Olivier
• Shakespeare
• Henry-V
• fifth
• Felix-Aylmer
• William-Walton
• play
• theatre
• performing
• arts

[kldirectv2]

Not "the Dolphin" but . ..

The Dauphin of France (French: Dauphin de France, IPA: [dofɛ̃])—strictly, The Dauphin of Viennois (Dauphin de Viennois)—was the title given to the heir apparent to the throne of France from 1350 to 1791, and from 1824 to 1830. The word is literally the French for dolphin, as a reference to the animal they bore on their flag.

[pliteni]

I hated this version. I understand the need for war propaganda, so let's treat the movie as such, not a piece of art, or worse, a masterpiece!

[240soundwave]

the arch bishops voice is exactly the same as that of the librivox recording! it must be the same guy

[BigDon62]

Although presently there is no direct reference pertaining to The Office of Prime Minister in Australia's Constitution, one can forgive anyone that wishes Salic Law to be enshrined in it, after the dismal performance of a member of the fairer sex these past twelve months !

[Versipelles]

@crazyman8472 I THINK he does that 1) to preserve the meter, and 2) because it actually was "the Dolphin" in the 1600 Quarto edition of the play (and after all, the title is actually derived from the dolphin hauriant borne on the arms of the Counts of Vienne).

[squanto2]

@crazyman8472 Didn't he say dolphin to insult the Dauphin?

[Bregowald]

@afohara yes, Olivier's version is far better. agreed.

[supershoot1000]

really long speech

[crazyman8472]

It's a little annoying when Henry (Olivier) says "dauphin" as if it were "dolphin". Oh well, nobody's perfect. ;)

[afohara]

Just a followup note to the below. None of us need be slaves to "culture" out of some social obligation. Over the years I've seen marvelous productions of Shakespeare. I've also seen some real butchery done poor Bill. Thinking the latter doesn't mean I believe Shakespeare is bad. It may mean I think the ACTOR or director is a bad one.

But bless their hearts for trying.