LAAssignment3

Laura Alexander Assignment 3 Olivier and Branaugh both took advantage of creative license when interpreting and editing the script of //Henry V// in accordance with the times during which they directed it as well as their personal intentions//.//

In Olivier’s version, the French army’s garb possesses a great amount of color and projects a sense of pomp and circumstance. High spirits and optimism abound, the French relish the impending battle and treat the situation as a ceremonious occasion, as they joyfully prepare to fight. Because Olivier produced his version during World War II, he portrayed the French in a positive light due to their membership with the Allies. Granted, the English were not necessarily depicted negatively. In fact, while in the face of imminent defeat, they too appear at least slightly cheerful as well as inspired by Henry’s speech and the prospect of earning the spoils of war such as honor and glory. Pertaining to the script, Olivier interestingly keeps the opening lines of the French while Branaugh excludes them. The inclusion of these lines contributes to the bright atmosphere of the French army as they rally the troops in preparation for war. Even in King Henry’s speech, Olivier removes the darker elements and focuses on the blind encouragement in the face of an impossible task. Additionally, the relationship between the French messenger and King Henry seems almost friendly, and if it were not for the subject matter, one may not know that the two were at war. Olivier does not seem to wish to force the audience into picking a side, but rather portrays both in a positive manner, only differentiating the two by underlining the English’s role as the underdog.

Branaugh, on the other hand, creates a much more somber atmosphere, with little color found in either army and includes an obvious differentiation between the two armies. Eliminating the rallying elements of the opening lines of the French, Branaugh’s direction portrays the French as the more sinister of the two as the Constable, still, cold, and collected, gives his speech and condemns the English to their defeat. Because Branaugh directed his version during the war between England and Argentina, he portrayed the French as the obvious enemy, perhaps projecting British sentiment towards Argentina onto the French army as seen in the antagonism displayed between King Henry and the messenger. Meanwhile, in the following scene, the English gravely anticipate a horrible outcome. In contrast to Olivier’s version, King Henry speaks in a much more serious tone of voice and with a bit more anger in his demeanor. Notably, for a significant amount of the beginning lines during his speech, King Henry fails to even appear on screen, which results in an emphasis on his voice and words alone. Additionally, Branaugh focuses less on King Henry’s body and more on his face as he directs for more close-ups than Olivier, again to concentrate on the King’s speech rather than his attitude.

As directors, Olivier and Branaugh chose to manipulate the script and their actor’s demeanors in order to convey their own sentiments to the audience. Olivier’s purpose was to inspire and enrapture the audience with positive thoughts and a sense of hope during a time of war. In contrast, Branaugh stressed the hostile feelings of war in order to reflect the actual events occurring between England and Argentina.