Cinema · Monarchies · Observations
As usual, The King is not without its traditional Francophobia. The view of France, the French, French chivalry and the French king is prejudiced and one-sided. The Netflix film was undoubtedly made with English political interests in mind. It is sad that France lacks the resources to answer in
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Observations
Of course, such a nod towards the ruling dynasty is no invention of Michaud's; writers and makers of meaning have resorted to this device since time immemorial. Shakespeare, too, when he seems to scold Henry V, on the one hand brings him closer to the common people, rendering
Cinema · Monarchies · Observations
The Causes of the War. Did Henry V have any real motive for invading France? Well, if one imagines that the son of a usurper might wish to shore up his contested legitimacy on the throne, say, by uniting the crowns in accordance with the testament of Edward III. Moreover,
Cinema · Monarchies · Observations
Laurence Olivier's 1944 "Henry V" deserves its due: it was not only more realistic and spectacular but also interesting, yet in essence it was theatre, quite literally Shakespeare's play, with the action set in a theatre. It is curious how the film's
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 · 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 · 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
Art · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
A Modern Venus, or a Woman of Modern Fashion in Her Natural State. 1786. The resemblance to Kim Kardashian is simply incredible. It is surprising, truth be told, that the standards of the late eighteenth century should be so relevant in our own day, and almost shocking that what has
Aristocracy · Cinema · Observations · Society
The one thing about "Downton Abbey" that I simply cannot bring myself to accept is the romanticisation of what are, in essence, monstrously unjust foundations, built upon feudal inheritance, the treacherous will of monarchs of old, very nearly slaveholding and vassal-suzerain relations. It is not easy to
Aristocracy · Cinema · Monarchies · Observations
In the ballroom scene Mary of Teck wears the famous Vladimir Tiara, so beloved of Elizabeth II, but with the emerald rather than the pearl set. The tiara originates from the Romanov family.