Starting at the Globe Playhouse in London, the audience watches the play being performed. As the play leaves London, the setting expands into the wider world. It has the iconic Saint Crispin's Day speech. The battle has lots of men, lots of horses, and lots of archers. It is brightly colored. Laurence Olivier plays King Henry V. The disappointing part is the battle action. There is no doubt that some expense was given. There are lots of extras in war costumes. The horses are impressive. It's just not shot that well. Worst of all, I really hate the archers charging into the fray. Individual archers would never do that. It doesn't have the grit to be intense. It needs a bit of Hollywood magic. Hollywood westerns do much better action. There are no stunts and no thrills. Now, it does have Sir Laurence Olivier doing Shakespeare. That is worth a ton and he's breathing new life into what was probably stodgy source material. I just wish that he has some action expert to spice up the final battle.
Review of Henry V
