I really wanted to bring you a clip from Olivier's Henry V, but all I could find was this Branagh version. Olivier's voice soars and it isn't just posterity that lends it a gravitas that even Ian McKellen (the best of the living bunch) can't match. Rent the video - you'll see what I mean. This file won't stay up forever - it all depends on my bandwidth limits. See if you like it.
Posted by Joe at August 24, 2003 08:57 AMIs this from Branagh's film? I don't remember it being quite so sappy. And that sound track!
-- DJ (currently holding his manhood quite dear)
Posted by: DJ at August 24, 2003 10:18 AMFrom the film I think. I can't think of anywhere else it could be from. Totally agree about the music.
Posted by: Joe at August 24, 2003 10:39 AMOh yes, folks, it is Branagh film version with my ole beloved Jacobi doing the narration. I must have watched this version close onto a dozen times and have not bored of it yet. I rather think Kenneth suits the role - he had, at the time of making, a mischevious, youthful countenance that bespoke of someone of niave but dissolute nature, which serves him well in the flashback scenes of his prince days of debauched merriment.
Anyway, for a casual quote of "We few, we band of brothers...," you cannot get much better than the lead actor (another name I have forgotten) in Another Country.
martin
Posted by: martin at August 24, 2003 08:36 PMOh, yes, I forgot to say that this little speech is the one I use in my halftime pep talk when I am captaining England in Paris in the Rugby World Cup final and we are trailing the French badly with only another 40mins to play - nice touch in dreamworld, don't ya think!
Posted by: martin at August 24, 2003 08:44 PMFortunately for England (and possibly you methinks) they're not going to be needing you soon at the Parc de Prince. ;+)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers", is spoken by Ken-baby. Non? Oui! The only guy I remember from Another Country is Rupert Everett (at least I saw him doing it on stage in London and assume he was in the film) and I always find him a very annoying actor. Shades of Jeremy Irons - another classical actor I'm not fond of on the big screen ... or on the stage if truth be divulged.
Posted by: Joe at August 24, 2003 09:13 PMBut surely you enjoyed Irons as Sherlock Holmes? He played the man as a completely spiteful egomaniac; in other words, as he was meant to be portrayed.
Posted by: DJ at August 24, 2003 10:29 PMI'll have to look out for it at the video store - I have to admit I haven't heard of it, but very reluctantly. He is one of those (many) actors that I feel I'm watching Jeremy Irons first and whatever character he's playing second. :+(
Posted by: Joe at August 25, 2003 06:18 AMI was just commenting that Derek-baby did the narration - i.e., talks us through the play (just an aside). Yes, it was Rupert Everett... and, yes, "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."
J, only know too well your thoughts on Jeremy Irons, but I think he transferred better to the big screen than Ken. Ken always comes unstuck when he has to play an American.
DJ, when did the Irons' Sherlock Holmes hit the streets? I vaguely remember enjoying a Peter Cooke version many, many moons ago.
Needless to say that in my version of the RWC we rally after my pep talk and make Agincourt look like a picnic - now, can Clive's boys do that?
Posted by: martin at August 25, 2003 09:43 AMGosh, my bad in a big way! It was Jeremy Brett, in the mid-80s, I'm thinking of. Brett, Irons, whatever. He had a British accent, that's all I remember.
Posted by: DJ at August 25, 2003 03:33 PM> Brett, Irons, whatever.
You can say that again, 'cept I bet Brett was better.
Posted by: Joe at August 25, 2003 04:53 PM