The Philadelphia Film Society finish off their two-week Shakespeare-in-Film showcase with Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V (1989) at the Prince Music Theater at 7:30 P.M. next Wednesday. Following the screening, Dr. Matt Kozusko, associate professor of English and an editor of Borrowers & Lenders: the Journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation will moderate discussion on the film.
It is only appropriate when talking about film adaptations of Shakespeare’s works to mention Kenneth Branagh. After all, Branagh is best known for his films in which he directs and stars in Shakespeare plays adapted for the screen. To date, Branagh has directed and starred in five adaptations: Henry V , Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Hamlet (1996), Love’s Labour’s Lost (2000) and As You Like It (2006). He also played the part of Iago in Othello (1995), but Oliver Parker directed that adaptation, not Branagh. Branagh’s name is almost synonymous with adaptations of Shakespeare. Which is why the filmadelphiaClassis is featuring one of his works in the Shakespeare-in-Film showcase.
Specifically his directorial debut, Henry V. Before first tackling a film adaptation of a Shakespeare play, Branagh had had quite a bit of experience both acting in and directing Shakespeare’s works on the stage. It only seemed natural to cut his film directing teeth on an Shakespeare adaptation. Indeed this first filmmaking effort led to two of Branagh’s four Academy Award nominations, for directing and for lead actor.
The film (which was shot entirely in sequence) also featured many other firsts. It marked the first film two-time Academy Award-nominated Patrick Doyle served as music composer on, and also as the first film collaboration he had with Branagh (he has scored almost every film Branagh has directed). Branagh had brought him on board having worked with him two years earlier on a stage production of Twelfth Night, which Doyle had written an original score for. Henry V was also the first of nine films Branagh directed and acted in with actor Richard Briers. It was also the first film he directed Emma Thompson in — his future ex-wife.
Branagh has received much acclaim in his career, but many point back to Henry V as an example of his finest work; it having been the only adaptation of a Shakespeare work where he was nominated for an Academy Award in acting and directing. Hence the film’s selection as a screening in the Philadelphia Film Society’s filmadelphiaCLASSICS showcase featuring Shakespeare. But these screenings are about you the members! Do you enjoy another one of Branagh’s adaptations of Shakespeare more than Henry V? Is there another film or TV adaptation of Henry V you particularly like more than Branagh’s version? What is your favorite film based on a work of Shakespeare? Do you have a favorite film about Shakespeare the man? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
