Cinema · Monarchies · Observations · Humour
One of the principal figures of the Battle of Agincourt in David Michôd's film is the Dauphin of France, Louis, played by Robert Pattinson: caricatured, arrogant, dim-witted, even vicious, absurd and clumsy, with a dreadful accent, and thank heavens at least not deformed. This, too, is a
Cinema · Science
What Was the Battle of Agincourt Really Like? The English king's archers really did cut down the flower of French chivalry. Yet the film misrepresents both the battlefield itself, which really was a field and not hilly terrain, and the fortifications, which are not in the picture at
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Science
Was There a Plot Against Henry V? According to the storyline shown in "The King", Henry V is pushed towards war by an attempt on his life by the French. In reality, the plot to assassinate Henry V was uncovered on the eve of his attack on France,
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · People
In Shakespeare's lines Henry V appears as the warlike Harry; historians describe him as given to aggression, cunning and duplicity. Where the new king did manage to lower the level of his father's ferocity was in the matter of the Welsh rebels, who had risen against
Cinema · Monarchies · Observations · Humour
Was Henry V Really the Pacifist Michôd Made of Him? If one thinks about it, and above all finds an actor handsome enough for the public to believe him, then even a Julius Caesar or a Napoleon smeared in blood will pass perfectly well as a herald of peace and
Cinema · London · Monarchies
Contrary to the plot, the real Prince of Wales was not stripped of his status as heir, nor did he renounce the crown in favour of his younger brother, Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence; indeed, he never stepped back from the affairs of the kingdom at all. Nor did
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · People
Was the Youth of Henry V Really So Dissolute? Yet another myth of Shakespeare's making has found flesh, thanks to the efforts of the film crew behind “The King”. Though the prince and his father did indeed have political differences, the future king never renounced his status, nor
Cinema · Monarchies · People
What Did Henry V Look Like? Shakespeare's portrait of Henry is idealised. But the portrait of Henry created by the Australian director David Michôd, with Brad Pitt's company behind him, is almost flawless. Note that Netflix nonetheless files The King under "biographical" and "
Cinema · Books · Museums · Observations
Among the many films about the Middle Ages, The King is neither the most outstanding nor the most contentious, though its makers dusted the museum artefacts so zealously that they shook out a good part of the history. Credit where it is due: the picture has turned out handsome after
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · Observations
Shakespeare's Henry is the ideal national hero, and by showing his imperfection the freewheeling interpreter only brings the ruler closer to the people, so that the reckless drunkard and ne'er-do-well becomes all the more beloved and all the more patrioti. Among the first words
The East · Cinema · Observations
One must never begin with the bad, so let us note at once that the small details cannot fail to impress. Considered and exact, they create not merely a setting but at times a true picture of the age: what of the clockwork toy in the shape of a walking
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Science
Henry V is, for the English, one of the best-loved figures of their history and very nearly the champion of screen adaptations, rivalled only by Richard the Lionheart, Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. But what makes this not especially distinguished, yet so celebrated, ruler so attractive? Talent! And a