Henry V Compare and contrast the two interpretations of Henry V by Olivier and Branagh
Henry V portrays a very strong story about a young king who is in charge of the most powerful country in the medieval world. Kenneth Branagh and Laurence Olivier both directed and produced a filmed version of the Shakespearian play, but managed to create two very different interpretations of the story. Branagh and Oliviers version have their similarities, for example both directors clearly presented England as the superior nation, and both films also were influenced by political elements that were relevant to the time. On the other hand the two movies have many differences, Oliviers version is a colourful, glorious fantasy, however Branaghs film is much darker and more realistic. The way they portrayed their characters was quite different from each other, Olivier delivered his characters unrealistically yet Branagh presented his characters much more realistically with sign of emotions. ... Olivier’s setting was usually very fantasy like with everything being pretty and clean. Branagh conversely set everything out realistically. ... Even though this was a major similarity between the two films, Branagh still showed a more realistic angle of the English army as to Olivier’s interpretation, were he made England look perfect with not one iota of dishonesty or ruthlessness. There was a reason behind Olivier’s style of directing and the way presented everything angelic, beautiful and clean.