Henry V a good blind buy?

greenknight · 04-13-04, 08:28 PM

(1944), i love the Adventures of Robin hood movie, and its 2-disc dvd set, so is the Henry V dvd a good blind buy?

Hendrik · 04-13-04, 08:53 PM

...well... The Adventures Of Robin Hood is The Adventures Of Robin Hood... Henry V is Laurence (not yet "Sir") Olivier's wartime adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare... does that help to make up your mind...?...

. . .

. . .

rushmore223 · 04-13-04, 10:04 PM

I love the Branagh version, havent seen Oliviers.

mmguen · 04-13-04, 10:16 PM

I found Robin Hood to be light-hearted, fast moving, adventurous, colorful, easy to follow. To be enjoyed but not taken too seriously.

Henry V is very different. Laurence Olivier's adaptation starts out as a play in the Globe Theater and eventually expands into live action sequences. It is more serious and scholarly, although also humorous and inspirational.

DVD Smurf · 04-13-04, 10:22 PM

Henry V is excellent...different than Adventures of Robin Hood...

Cheers

DVD Smurf

marty888 · 04-14-04, 07:48 AM

Whether or not you like Henry V really has nothing to do with liking Adventures of Robin Hood any more than liking Finding Nemo would suggest that you'd like Das Boot.

Groucho · 04-14-04, 07:53 AM

Based on what you've told us, I suggest you rent first.

Austin54 · 04-14-04, 08:06 AM

Robin Hood is a light hearted adventure story.
Henry V is a serious adaptation of Shakespeare.
No comparison.
Austin

billy9215 · 04-14-04, 08:38 AM

Watched Olivier, Henry V last week and all I can say is

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Rent, don't buy. Adventures of Robin Hood has multiple
repeat viewing value and is wonderful.

Cheers

EPKJ · 04-14-04, 09:44 AM

The Olivier version is good, however, it is done in classical style unlike Branagh's version, so it may not pack the same wallop. I know that after watching Kenneth Branagh's version I can't ever imagine enjoying Olivier's again.

lcnickell · 04-14-04, 11:26 AM

i had the criterion, great film

it's a better blind buy than rocky V for sure

majorjoe23 · 04-14-04, 11:52 AM

Do I have to watch Henry I-IV to understand it? I just wish Shakespeare hadn't been forced to split Henry IV into two parts by Harvey Scissorhands. Here's hoping the unrated Japanese cut comes to America.

RevKarl · 04-14-04, 07:10 PM

greenknight:

As others have stated, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Henry V are very different types of films.

Based on your enjoyment of the first, you might be better off giving similar films like Fox Studio Classics' The Mark of Zorro or WB's The Crimson Pirate a try.

greenknight · 04-14-04, 07:50 PM

Haha i thought many would think i am into swashbucklers... when in fact i'm into the old color medieval movies of the 30s and 40s.
So with that in mind, should i buy Henry V?

Hendrik · 04-14-04, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greenknight
...i'm into the old color medieval movies of the 30s and 40s.

...what about Ivanhoe...?... or Flesh & Blood...?... or The War Lord...?...

...I realize that these are not "medieval movies of the 30s and 40s" (there weren't that many in those far-off days, and, afaik, none but TAORH in color...) but they are about medieval times...

. . .

. . .

RevKarl · 04-14-04, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greenknight
Haha i thought many would think i am into swashbucklers... when in fact i'm into the old color medieval movies of the 30s and 40s.
So with that in mind, should i buy Henry V?

If it's 40's color you want, Henry V has it.

mmguen · 04-14-04, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RevKarl
If it's 40's color you want, Henry V has it.

dom56 · 04-14-04, 10:48 PM

Well if you want a good swashbuckler film I suggest you pickup Scaramouche. The swordfight between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is one of the best swordfighting I seen IMO.

EPKJ · 04-15-04, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by greenknight
Haha i thought many would think i am into swashbucklers... when in fact i'm into the old color medieval movies of the 30s and 40s.
So with that in mind, should i buy Henry V?

No, it is not a medieval movie, it is a Shakespeare play brought to the screen. Only buy it if you like Shakespeare.

TomMiller · 04-15-04, 09:53 AM

It's Olivier's rah-rah WWII pump-up-the-troops movie. Its low-budget, and they use silver-painted wool as a substitute for chain mail. Its a solid Shakespearean adaptation, but no way is it the repeat-viewing fodder of Robin Hood, unless you are a die-hard Olivier fan, or Henry V is your favorite play.

markdclark43016 · 04-15-04, 09:55 AM

Both of these are superb films, but as others have stated Olivier's HENRY V is a Shakespeare adaptation (and a brilliant one), not a swashbuckling adventure film.

If you enjoy Shakespeare, definitely give the Olivier film a try. It's a masterpiece.

But if you want swashbuckling adventure, you're better off with some of the other films that have been recommended, especially the Tyrone Power MARK OF ZORRO, which is very ROBIN HOOD-like. Hopefully, they will eventually release the other primo Flynn swashbucklers, CAPATIN BLOOD and THE SEA WOLF.

obscurelabel · 04-15-04, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dom56
Well if you want a good swashbuckler film I suggest you pickup Scaramouche. The swordfight between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is one of the best swordfighting I seen IMO.

Also Eleanor Parker never looked better IMHO

Pants · 04-15-04, 12:14 PM

Henry V is a superb film. It's Olivier's best Shakespeare adaptation and a brilliantly concieved film.

The Criterion disc has an adequate transfer and a SPECTACULAR audio commentary by Bruce Edder.

My dream would be if someone would do a technicolor restoration on Henry V the same as WB did for Singin' in the Rain and Robin Hood, becuase the 3 strip tech on Criterion's DVD is just so-so.

greenknight · 04-15-04, 06:22 PM

Well i like Shakespeare, having read and seen other movies of him such as Julius Caesar (Brando), and i meant i've seen the Medieval movies of the 50s and 60s, but i find them rarer in the 30s and 40s which is why i asked.
And yes, Shakespeare plays were set in the medieval times so you can call this movie medieval. It's not a play about a western that's for sure.

Holly E. Ordway · 04-15-04, 08:02 PM

Personally, I adore Kenneth Branagh's version of Henry V (I'd love to see it re-released with a better transfer), but I found the Olivier version to be a little cheesy for my taste. It also takes a fairly "light" tone which I didn't think worked particularly well with the material.

04-13-04, 08:28 PM	#1
greenknight Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 126	Henry V a good blind buy? (1944), i love the Adventures of Robin hood movie, and its 2-disc dvd set, so is the Henry V dvd a good blind buy?

04-13-04, 10:22 PM	#5
DVD Smurf DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Mouthweathercity, IL. Posts: 3,521	Henry V is excellent...different than Adventures of Robin Hood... Cheers DVD Smurf __________________ The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. -William Shakespeare Cinematica.org - Film Reviews, Top 10, Brilliant Films, Vote for Your 5 best films and more.

04-14-04, 07:48 AM	#6
marty888 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Times Square Posts: 12,102	Whether or not you like Henry V really has nothing to do with liking Adventures of Robin Hood any more than liking Finding Nemo would suggest that you'd like Das Boot. __________________ *Sex is nature's way of providing each and every one of us with a free home entertainment system.* My DVD List at DVD Aficionado

04-14-04, 07:53 AM	#7
Groucho DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 62,161	Based on what you've told us, I suggest you rent first. __________________ Xbox Live: Runner Groucho PSN: RunnerGroucho "The Borg is a species" -- Tracer Bullet (Citation)

04-14-04, 08:38 AM	#9
billy9215 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: under your desk Posts: 310	Watched Olivier, Henry V last week and all I can say is zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Rent, don't buy. Adventures of Robin Hood has multiple repeat viewing value and is wonderful. Cheers __________________ http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.ht...id=bleflambeur

04-13-04, 08:53 PM	#2
Hendrik DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah - USA Posts: 5,196	...well... The Adventures Of Robin Hood is The Adventures Of Robin Hood... Henry V is Laurence (not yet "Sir") Olivier's wartime adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare... does that help to make up your mind...?... . . . . . .

04-13-04, 10:04 PM	#3
rushmore223 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 688	I love the Branagh version, havent seen Oliviers.

04-13-04, 10:16 PM	#4
mmguen Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Vineyard Zippy's Posts: 620	I found Robin Hood to be light-hearted, fast moving, adventurous, colorful, easy to follow. To be enjoyed but not taken too seriously. Henry V is very different. Laurence Olivier's adaptation starts out as a play in the Globe Theater and eventually expands into live action sequences. It is more serious and scholarly, although also humorous and inspirational.

04-14-04, 08:06 AM	#8
Austin54 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lynbrook, New York Posts: 308	Robin Hood is a light hearted adventure story. Henry V is a serious adaptation of Shakespeare. No comparison. Austin

04-14-04, 09:44 AM	#10
EPKJ Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia Posts: 1,212	The Olivier version is good, however, it is done in classical style unlike Branagh's version, so it may not pack the same wallop. I know that after watching Kenneth Branagh's version I can't ever imagine enjoying Olivier's again.

04-14-04, 11:26 AM	#11
lcnickell Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 661	i had the criterion, great film it's a better blind buy than rocky V for sure

04-14-04, 11:52 AM	#12
majorjoe23 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Death Moans, Iowa Posts: 8,578	Do I have to watch Henry I-IV to understand it? I just wish Shakespeare hadn't been forced to split Henry IV into two parts by Harvey Scissorhands. Here's hoping the unrated Japanese cut comes to America.

04-14-04, 07:10 PM	#13
RevKarl DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,681	greenknight: As others have stated, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Henry V are very different types of films. Based on your enjoyment of the first, you might be better off giving similar films like Fox Studio Classics' The Mark of Zorro or WB's The Crimson Pirate a try. __________________ "Boy, this is the last time I listen to my penis for movie selection advice." - Opening line of Brian Orndorf's DVD Talk review for Blonde and Blonder.

04-14-04, 07:50 PM	#14
greenknight Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 126	Haha i thought many would think i am into swashbucklers... when in fact i'm into the old color medieval movies of the 30s and 40s. So with that in mind, should i buy Henry V?

04-14-04, 10:48 PM	#18
dom56 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 2,900	Well if you want a good swashbuckler film I suggest you pickup Scaramouche. The swordfight between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is one of the best swordfighting I seen IMO.

04-15-04, 09:53 AM	#20
TomMiller Member Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 244	It's Olivier's rah-rah WWII pump-up-the-troops movie. Its low-budget, and they use silver-painted wool as a substitute for chain mail. Its a solid Shakespearean adaptation, but no way is it the repeat-viewing fodder of Robin Hood, unless you are a die-hard Olivier fan, or Henry V is your favorite play.

04-15-04, 09:55 AM	#21
markdclark43016 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 315	Both of these are superb films, but as others have stated Olivier's HENRY V is a Shakespeare adaptation (and a brilliant one), not a swashbuckling adventure film. If you enjoy Shakespeare, definitely give the Olivier film a try. It's a masterpiece. But if you want swashbuckling adventure, you're better off with some of the other films that have been recommended, especially the Tyrone Power MARK OF ZORRO, which is very ROBIN HOOD-like. Hopefully, they will eventually release the other primo Flynn swashbucklers, CAPATIN BLOOD and THE SEA WOLF. __________________ "I'm just a hack writer who drinks too much & falls in love with girls."

04-15-04, 12:14 PM	#23
Pants Banned Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: "Sitting on a beach, earning 20%" Posts: 6,154	Henry V is a superb film. It's Olivier's best Shakespeare adaptation and a brilliantly concieved film. The Criterion disc has an adequate transfer and a SPECTACULAR audio commentary by Bruce Edder. My dream would be if someone would do a technicolor restoration on Henry V the same as WB did for Singin' in the Rain and Robin Hood, becuase the 3 strip tech on Criterion's DVD is just so-so.

04-15-04, 06:22 PM	#24
greenknight Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 126	Well i like Shakespeare, having read and seen other movies of him such as Julius Caesar (Brando), and i meant i've seen the Medieval movies of the 50s and 60s, but i find them rarer in the 30s and 40s which is why i asked. And yes, Shakespeare plays were set in the medieval times so you can call this movie medieval. It's not a play about a western that's for sure.

04-15-04, 08:02 PM	#25
Holly E. Ordway DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: sunny San Diego! Posts: 1,096	Personally, I adore Kenneth Branagh's version of Henry V (I'd love to see it re-released with a better transfer), but I found the Olivier version to be a little cheesy for my taste. It also takes a fairly "light" tone which I didn't think worked particularly well with the material. __________________ Read my DVDTalk reviews