In both of these, the chorus is present but played in different ways. The chorus in the Olivier version is as important as ever because the cannot show all the things they would like. It plays the same role, as the one in Shakespeare’s time would have. In the Branagh version the chorus is there for affect and not to server a real purpose.
In the Olivier version the setting is the Globe Theatre, where they would have performed the play. This is an unusual setting because normally they would show you how it would have happened at the time of the event, but here they show you how Shakespeare would have envisaged it. The film has an audience inside it, as well as the viewers. They serve to bring realism into the ‘theatre’. The people are dressed in the 16th century costumes, and do, as they would have in that time. They laugh, clap, shout, jeer, and bring a general atmosphere to the film. In the start where the bishops speak to each other they are on a balcony above the main stage, it is quite dark up there and is the only real use of lighting. There are very few scene changes, but when there is a person with a large board comes on and on it, they have the next place that the play will be in. There is just daylight in the Olivier version and nothing else. This is much different to the Branagh version where it is set in the English court at the time it happened. It is very dark when it starts with the bishops, the only light is one flickering candle, and it just highlights their features. This combined with a low speech volume proves to make this first scene very spooky and eerie. In the next scene, Henry makes his grand entrance. You see his silhouette back lit by bright lights, but framed by a huge doorway with giant flaming torches either side. This makes for a grand and impressive spectacle. When he enters, the setting is him sitting on a throne with his lords in two rows down from him. This has him in power over all of them. He is also higher up than them bringing a larger sense of power to him.
The costumes in the Olivier version are very colourful and exaggerated. The show people in costumes that tell them what character they are. The bishops are wearing their traditional headdresses and the king a crown. This is because they need to show you which character each actor is playing. The costumes are also slightly comical. The props used in it are small things with them not playing a major part. The only important props are the papers carried by one of the bishop’s assistants and the tennis balls, because they had to be presented to fuel the anger of the king. The costumes in the Branagh version were very dull, but more realistic. They have more earth colours instead of the wild reds and yellows of the Olivier version. They do not need the costumes to show the audience who the actor’s characters are because of the setting and props. The setting and their position on the stage are more important to the character. Their props are used to back up points, the tennis balls and the casket differ in the two versions, with the Olivier version having a large casket and odd coloured tennis balls, so the audience could see them, but the Branagh version the camera could focus on them so a smaller more realistic casket could be used. This is the main reason that the props in the Olivier version are so much more exaggerated because the ‘audience’ has to see them and on the stage they have less ability to set the stage so props are need more.
The lighting in the Olivier version is not used it is just the daylight and the odd candle to show nighttime or a dim situation. This is correct for the setting because in the theatre there would have been no lighting because it was open-roofed. The lighting in the Branagh version is use to great effect. When the bishops are speaking to each other, the only light is one candle lighting half of their faces and the upper torso. The rest of the room is very dark. This is good because they are meant to be plotting and scheming. The next scene when Henry enters has him silhouetted and framed by a huge door with two flaming candelabras, there is a spooky mist behind him to. This is very spectacular and works well to create a respect for the king.
The sound in the Olivier version is how it would have been in Shakespeare’s time, a small band with strings and brass instruments. They music is very regal and what would have been played in the real English court at the time. There is the audience who clap, laugh, and jeer. The next scene where the king enters has a large fanfare and drum roll. The music in the Branagh version is very spooky and builds up suspense and the king enters. There are mainly violins and other strings.
I think they are both very good movies, they are very different but many things are similar. I think the Branagh version is better because it is more realistic, the acting is better and the style its is in. I like the way they have done it set where it would have happened and the acting is very good. They have the lighting, costumes and setting just right. The only criticism I have is the sound I thought could have been better.