The Hollow Crown: Henry V

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English dead!"

King Henry V (Hiddleston) is preparing to wage war on France.  According to his advisers, he has a claim to the French throne through his great grandfather Edward III.  He asserts this claim, but is mocked by Louis, the Dauphin (Akrout) and the French court do not take his threats seriously.  He sends his uncle, the Duke of Exeter (Lesser) to France to negotiate with Charles, King of France (Wilson), but is ultimately rebuffed.

Henry leads his army into France.  The French continue to underestimate the English army, who are tired, cold, and ill.  As Henry rallies his army, they face insurmountable odds.  Can they emerge victorious?


This final film in the first series of BBC's The Hollow Crown miniseries.  The Hollow Crown miniseries features William Shakespeare's history plays from the Henriad (the first series is Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V.  The second series will feature Henry VI Part 1, Henry VI Part 2, Henry VI Part 3, and Richard III).  This film was directed by theater director Thea Sharrock, in her film debut.

This is my first encounter with this play.  I've never read it (I was reading a synopsis while watching), and I have never watched any of the iconic film versions (Laurence Olivier's 1944 film and Kenneth Branagh's 1989 version).  Most reviews I have read about this film mention how it stacks up against Olivier and Branagh's films.

Tom Hiddleston once again stars as Henry V, and brings charm and charisma to the role.  You believe that men would follow him into battle.  Unlike the previous films, he does not have anyone to spar with (he is still good).  The rest of the cast is populated by experienced British actors, and a few French actors.  They are fine, but not outstanding.

Sharrock chose to structure the film like a play, employing the Chorus to setup scenes and beginning the film with Henry's funeral... which seems like a strange start.  She also removed key scenes that further show Henry's transition from carefree youth to king.  It was nice to show what happened to Falstaff, but that part could have been extended.

It was enjoyable film, and inspires me to read the play and watch the iconic film versions.

The Hollow Crown: Henry V (2012) 139 minutes
Director: Thea Sharrock
Starring: Tom Hiddleston as Henry V
John Hurt as The Chorus
Paterson Joseph as Duke of York
James Laurenson as Earl of Westmoreland
Anton Lesser as Exeter
Paul Ritter as Pistol
Owen Teale as Captain Fluellen
Melanie Thierry as Princess Katherine
Lambert Wilson as Charles, King of France
Edward Akrout as Louis, the Dauphin
Tom Georgeson as Bardolph
Tom Brooke as Corporal Nym
Jeremie Covillaut as Montjoy
Geraldine Chaplin as Alice
George Sargeant as Falstaff's boy