Refer to the opening, to the end of the first chorus. What concept of England and the English do you think Olivier was seeking to convey?

The Kennieth Branagh production of Henry V is more modernised and made during the 20th century in 1989. The opening begins with striking bold red writing in a black background. There is dramatic music and in the minor key making it sound much more serious and solemn, instruments used were mainly woodwind, which gave the play a haunting, feel. The chorus of the Branagh version seemed very mysterious, it was filmed in a dark cave and was very simple. There was no sense of illusion of us watching the stage as the actor of the chorus gives the audience direct eye contact so we know it's in the style of a film.

The chorus of Olivier's version was filmed in a Shakespearean theatre in Shakespeare's time. It was very cheerful with bright colours giving a picture of an English society. It was presented with a fanfare of brass trumpets to get the audience's attention but the tone of the chorus seemed more like a jolly fantasy where as the Branagh version is more dark and tense.

The main difference between the two versions was the times in which they were filmed which shows Harry's character in different ways. Olivier's Harry stays the same throughout. Branagh's Harry, makes you aware through his youth and relative inexperience in leadership at the beginning. As the film goes on, you see him grow to be more mature, especially the moment in which he is forced to approve the execution of one of his childhood friends.