Henry V 1989

Benedict Nightingale, New York Times: Mr. Branagh's Henry has psychological heft and intellectual weight. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: The cast -- including Derek Jacobi as the modern-dress chorus, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, and Robbie Coltrane in an effective cameo as Falstaff -- is uniformly fine without any grandstanding. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: What works best in the film is the over-all vision. Read more

Time Out: Branagh succeeds in his blunt, robust portrayal of the Soldier-King, hauling the film along in the wake of his own gung-ho performance. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: A stirring, gritty and enjoyable pic which offers a plethora of fine performances from some of the U.K.'s brightest talents. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Everything about this remarkable production is exhilaratingly unexpected. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: In this alert, rousing interpretation of Henry V, Branagh beats down the doors of high art and drags the sleeping bard into the light of modern day. Read more

Amy E. Schwartz, Washington Post: More questioning, more agonized, finally more humble. Read more