Henry V

Thanks to Shout! Factory, film aficionados may now purchase this powerful, star-studded version of Shakespeare's historical play, "Henry V." Made in 1989, the film marks Kenneth Branagh's directorial debut and snagged him numerous awards for best director and actor as well as Oscar nominations in both categories. The film won an Oscar for Best Costume Design (Phyllis Dalton).

The cast itself is worthy of the red carpet. Branagh stars as Henry V, a hedonistic, carefree youth, who morphs into a mature, ruthless and charismatic king, willing to sacrifice his friends for his kingdom. In this wonderful examination of what it takes to be a leader, Branagh deftly portrays the single-minded focus and callousness needed to rule, as well as the burdens great power brings. His Henry is complex and, above all, human. Great comedy is provided by the young Emma Thompson as Katherine, whose accent and gestures as she attempts to learn English from her tutor Alice (Geraldine McEwan, who just died on January 31, 2015) are hilarious. Other famous actors include Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Holm and Christian Bale, to name but a few.

Kenneth MacMillan's gritty cinematography, with its tight close-ups and dark scenes, sets the seriousness of the actions as they unfold. War and peasantry in medieval England were not pretty, despite the ribaldry of the latter. Loyalty to one's king supersedes knowing reasons why a thing must be done; deception and greed abounds among the many peoples of England and Henry, must go "once more into the breach" and rise above it all.

Rendered lusciously in Blu-ray, this timely classic is a must for any serious film collection. Its lessons in leadership are worth revisiting as is seeing these great actors at the early stages of their careers.

"Henry V"
Blu-ray
$19.97
www.Shoutfactory.com