Henry V - Essay Example

“Henry V” grossed 10 million dollars in the United States. Branagh was nominated for Oscar for Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role; Phyllis Dalton won the British Academy Award and Oscar for Best Costume Design. The soundtrack to the movie by Patrick Doyle is noteworthy; it is became known on its own. The film also received other awards such as European Film Awards and awards from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle. The movie tells the story of the young King of England Henry V.

He, being stirred by high church officials and advisors is contemplating to start a war with France on the ground of claims for the throne of France. At the time when the King is talked into the war, he is also insulted by the King of France. French think of Henry as of a young boy they have no reasons to be afraid of, so the Dauphine of France sends him tennis balls as a royal gift. King Henry seizes the opportunity for a war as a chance to change his image and to live up to expectations of his people, so he leads his troops into battles against France.

He has to deal with treason, lack of supply and exhaustion of his soldiers, their morale lowering. He is a good commander of his army, loved by his soldiers, firm and cruel with those, who break the law and noble in his interactions with French. He also has to face his own uncertainties and find strength in communion with God. The culmination of the war is the Battle of Agincourt, won by handful of English man compared to the large French army. Then, the treaty is signed between England and French, and King Henry woos princes Katherine into marriage.

“Henry V” is considered to be one of the most historically accurate movies ever filmed. However, there are a few inconsistencies. The source of historical information for Shakespeare’s play was the “Chronicles” of English history written by Raphael Holinshed. But, to create a dramatic and intriguing story, authors had to take liberty and change some of the details, albeit, not significant. The events, portrayed in the movie, took place in 1415. The film presents accounts of only a portion of a long lasting unresolved conflict between France and England, known as the Hundred Years’ War.

The beginnings, origins and causes of the dispute were very complex, but the reason for an open conflict was the argument over the rich and beautiful French territory of Gascony. According to the play and the movie, the immediate cause of the war was Henry’s claim to the French throne. However, the claim to the French throne was made earlier than that. The French king Philip VI made an unsuccessful attempt to retake Gascony, but the defeat of the Scottish uprising in the battle of Halidon Hill literally crossed out all his plans.

Embarrassed and humiliated, he decided to eliminate all English influence from the territory of France. After scouting English settlements on the English Channel, he gathered enough courage to challenge English authority. In retaliation, King Edward claimed that he was de facto the legitimate heir to the throne of France. Phillip, of course, was furious by this proud claim and formally declared war to England. So Henry V was not the one who made the allegation to the French throne; he only continued the demand of his ancestor, Edward, which began the war in the first place.

Also, the movie shows the two nations supposedly living in peace with