Comparing the two film versions of Henry V.

2002-01-02

Ali Hayat

GCSE English Media Assignment on

Henry V

Introduction

Through out this essay two different versions of Henry V History films are being compared. William Shakespeare wrote the play. Two different directors directed the two versions. One of the versions were directed by Lawrence Olivier and the other was directed by Kenneth Brannagh, both of the directors played the same part in their films as Henry V (king). In the Olivier version the film was made in 1944, which was set in the 16th century (when Shakespeare wrote the play) whereas in the Brannagh version the film was set in a real historical time, which was produced/made in 1989. There are not that many similarities between the two versions whereas there are a lot of differences. In this essay were going to discuss the similarities and differences between the two version’s by analysing moving images, acting, setting, costumes, lighting……….etc.

Setting

Both film versions on Henry V play are set out differently. This is because in the Brannagh version the film was set in real historical time, when Henry V was alive (showing the audience that this is what happened then). The actual film was set in a castle. The castle was big and had big wooden doors nearly in every opening room. Whereas in the Olivier version the film is set in actual globe theatre where the actors perform on stage, performing in front of real life audience where for the actors the audience for them are the people with in the globe theatre (in the film) whereas in the Brannagh version the audience are us, the people watching the film. The actual film is based on the time when William Shakespeare wrote the play.

Acting

This is a preview of the whole essay

Acting

In the two versions the acting of being king Henry V was different this is because in the Brannagh version Henry speaks quietly, whispering and calmly whereas in the Olivier version Henry speaks loudly where you can hear him very clearly. The acting done in the Brannagh version was realistic. This is because when Henry enters the room every one stops what they are doing and stand up immediately, this is to show respect, as he is the king. The reaction on the people’s faces was very shocking as like they were very guilty of doing something. When Henry sits on his chair it shows that he is very calm, as well as showing that his face is still and that he is not in tense. It shows that when Henry sits on the chair he’s very relaxed comfortable position where he’s got his leg over the other one. When Henry stands up from his chair (when the bishop finishes his speech) every one else stands up as well. You can see on Henry’s face that when he is speaking he is very serious and angry as he is talking very quickly as well, you can also see the tension in his body because of the way he looks at people. In this part Henry uses difficult language. When the French messenger enters the room and gives greetings and news to the king he shows what the French people are using. In the boxes there were tennis ball, where as when he shows the tennis balls he doesn’t look at whereas he is intimidating, staring at the messenger. The actors are mostly talking to the camera. The performance shown in this version is more of a proper film. In the Olivier version the overall acting is slapsticks, clumsy. Most of the actors speaking calmly taking their time, when the actors are talking they are talking to the audience. When Henry speaks too the bishop he speaks loudly where you can understand him very clearly, but as soon as the messenger enters Henry relief’s stress, anger and is talking more than anyone else. When Henry is speaking he gives out hand signal and points fingers at the audience. The acting shown in this version is more of a play.

Costumes/Props

Throughout the two films we see different characters wearing different costumes and using different props. We see in the Brannagh version when Canterbury and Ealley talk they are wearing very dark and dull clothing using their prop, which was a candlestick. This shows the audience that during the time which the film was made in their were no lights invented, as well as this when Henry enters the room there is no sign of him being the king of England. This is because they haven’t used a prop to show how Henry is represented to be king of England. When the messenger of France arrived they have used a prop, which was a casket full of tennis balls. The casket looked realistic whereas in the Olivier version the casket was very colourful. In the Olivier version the audience can tell us that Henry is the king, since he is wearing a crown as well as a traditional king cloak these two things are very notable. The costumes used in the Olivier version are all very colourful, throughout the film we see the bishops (Canterbury and Ealley) wearing traditional bishop clothing. When the bishops are talking to Henry we see them using papers, which are references of documents in the film as props.

Lighting

Throughout the Olivier version we see daylight, this doesn’t allow the audience to focus on any particular character an example of this is when Canterbury and Ealley are talking in the beginning of the film. Whereas in the Brannagh version there is more lighting shown. We see at the very beginning of the film Canterbury and Ealley are talking in a very dark room, the room looks very gloomy and light flickering showing only their shadows. This shows a bit of evil with in the two bishops, showing the audience that they are sly and are planning something secretive between themselves. When Henry enters the room the light is only shone on his silluete showing only dress, this stands out since the background is pitch black. The director of the film has used the use of candlelight when Henry walks into the room.

Sound effects/music

In the Brannagh version many different music and sound effects are used. In the beginning we see Henry entering the room the music used in this is very mysterious and creepy. As Henry draws to the camera the music gets louder and faster and you can hear Henry foot steps getting louder as well. The type of family instruments that the director has used is the 'brass' family. The type of music the director has used builds up tension; it is the kind of music, which is tormenting, mysterious and haunting. As soon as Henry sits on his chair the music immediately stops, this builds up suspense in the mood of the audience. In the beginning of the film we start off with loud music where as later on the music stops this means that there is something wrong in the atmosphere. Whereas in the Olivier version there is no royal like music to begin with, whereas the music which the director has chosen to begin with is very jolly and happy full whereas most of the music and sound effects are made by the audience with in the film, these are things like laughing, yelling, shouting, making improper use of language, making comments, mooching actors and clapping. Most sound effects and music are heard whenever some one comes upon the stage music and sound effect like drum rolls and trumpets these things are used to build suspense for the audience within the film.

Camera Angles

Many camera angles are used within the two versions of the film. Most of the camera angles are used in the Brannagh version this is because the director has used more than one camera angle within the film whereas in the Olivier version the director has used only one or two angles throughout the film. In the Brannagh version camera angles like long shot has been used when Henry enters the room which only shows his silluette as Henry is walking his shape of his body gradually gets bigger since he’s drawing close to the camera. Panning is also used in the film, this because as Henry comes into the room other peoples reactions were shown (towards the king). Mid shot is taken as Henry sits down on his throne, they have used the technique of mid shot so that they can show the audience the manor in which the king sits down. A mid shot is taken into a zoom in with Henry, Canterbury and Ealley (only showing close up of their faces) showing bounds of power between the king and the two bishops. Whereas in the Olivier version only mid shot, panning and long shot have been taken. In the Olivier version not many good angle shot have been taken whereas in the Brannagh version they have.

Conclusion

After comparing the two versions of Henry V film, I conclude that the Brannagh version was the better one than the Olivier version. This is because in the Brannagh version they show the setting, acting …….etc realistically whereas in the Olivier version the film is put together as a comedy.