Henry V (Bantam Classics)

Bizarre! The book contains no annotations. The text looks like a badly formatted computer printout. It ends with an eight-page general biography of Shakespeare, author unknown. In fact, the only attribute in the whole book is on the last page: Made in USA Middletown, DE 10 September 2016(The book was shipped to me on 13 September 2016.)The text of the biography calls out 79 references, none of which are included in the book.I can only shake my head and repeat: Bizarre!

I ordered "Henry V" right off this page: I'm certain of that because it says "Instant order update . . . your ordered this item on . . ", etc.But I was trying to complete my collection of the "newly revised" Signets. Although the picture of the book that appears on this page has that golden circle on the cover that says, "Newly Revised Edition," the book that showed up (new), does not have the star on the front, suggesting it is not the newly revised edition.But the matter is in doubt, because the back of the book says "THE NEWLY REVISED SIGNET CLASSIC SHAKESPEARE SERIES," but without referring to "Henry V" specifically, suggesting they have revised the others but not this one.But in that case, where'd that picture come from?

This classic Shakespeare history views more like a tragedy with its twists and turns. The dialogue is excellent. The picture quality professional except in the dim inn scenes. The characters deliver their lines with such diction and emotion that even a ten-year-old will understand the meaning of each line. The St. Crispin's Day Speech is so memorable that boys will recite it after hearing this hero's speech once or twice. The scenery is spectacular. Although the words were written by the Bard, the young students will have a hard time not believing that Henry V was the most valiant, funny, inspiring of all the English kings. Great family viewing as well as classroom enhancement.

Classic movie - great actors + fast delivery.

I have been enjoying the play itself but it almost seems like they just scanned the book into Kindle format with no regard to making it an easy and pleasurable experience. Words, spacing, and lettering are not infrequently misplaced. A linking system to the footnotes does not exist but is basically mandatory for a body of work that uses so many archaic words. With some unnecessary work, I have been able to get through the material. I do not recommend getting this edition although it seems to be the most popular of all the Kindle editions.

Branagh's direction and performance in his adaption for screen Shakespeare play was superb. The cast gave 1st class performances. It's hard forme to watch other adaptations of Henry V without comparing them to this one which outshines them all.

Always enjoyed this film, packaging was fine and worked well.

As a playwright I of course bow at the feet of the magnificent Bard. This is probably my favorite of the great man's work. Incidentally my close second would be "Richard III," also one of the history plays.

In the history of cinema, there have been two magnificent versions of Shakespeare's greatest play, this and Olivier's. While Olivier's version is pretty good, for my money this is the best.This really is a magnificent film. At its heart is the grand vision of Shakespeare, and his beautiful language. But Branagh has done something special in bringing it to the screen. He's used a range of modern Shakespeareans, almost every role is filled by a famous face. By using such a multitude of skilled actors, every line of Shakespeare's text is delivered professionally and in a way calculated to evoke the greatest response in the audience. The text is delivered fluently, yet accessible and understandable to the modern audience - no mean feat! Derek Jacobi makes a captivating narrator, Robert Stephens is a suitably rascally Pistol, Richard Briers is a revelation as Bardolph. Branagh himself excels in the central role, managing to portray the two sides of Henry's character, the martial and the roisterer, very well. I could go on, but there are so many good performances from famous names it would take all day.Then there is the cinematography - never has the battle of Agincourt been brought to such visceral life on celluloid. Whereas Olivier when for grandeur with the silvers clad knights charging across the field, Branagh goes for gritty realism, that leaves you feeling quite exhausted by the time it's all over.Branagh has taken a few liberties with text, by including a few scenes featuring Falstaff from Henry IV pt 2, but these are necessary to explain the two sides of Hal's character (and sets up one of the most moving scenes, where Mistress Quickly (Judy Dench) describes the death of the great Knight). There are also a few cuts and rearrangements, but these serve to keep the narrative flowing and make the film a bit more accessible. The text has been treated with much respect though, and the majesty of Shakespeare's language shines through. My favourite scene is one which Olivier cut - the unveiling of the traitors. I still get a shiver when I hear Branagh utter the line `Look then and know - I know your worth...' Classic.The score is especially worthy of note. Patrick Doyle manages to evoke the period with a score that is by turns ominous and martial, punctuating the text perfectly. It's a match for Walton's score for Olivier's version.The version being reviewed is the 2002 disc from Universal. This is a pretty basic release, in 16:9 widescreen and a stereo soundtrack. There are no subtitles or extras. The sound and picture are pretty clean and watchable, but I can't help feel that it's time (it's the 20th anniversary of the film this year) for a proper remastering and a special edition release.This is a classic film, one that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys good cinema. It's done in a very accessible fashion, so not just for Shakespeare experts, this should appeal to all, and, like it did with me, will probably help get people interested in the Bard. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

This series cannot be faulted. It is in clear print, text broken up by illustrations and an occasional still from a theatrical production. The background notes are not too "heavy" and there are brief explanations for the vocabulary and phrases on the same page as the text. I have used the same series for GCSE pupils, and occasionally when a particular text is not available in these editions I have to use another version, and it is not nearly as good.

For me this is the best Shakespeare adaptation I have seen on film.Branagh manages to appeal to a modern audience, both in his acting, and in the way he directs. We can see that the film was made on a tight budget; the battle is hardly done on a Hollywood scale, no CGI here. But it doesn't matter. What matters are the words, the expressions, the silences.Don't be put off by the fact that it's Shakespeare. It's a gripping story, well told, well acted, and good gripping stuff.

Great dvd excellent casting bringing reality to the Bards words and making its predecessor staged

Good film

The best version of Henry V in my opinion, Brannagh is brilliant.

Highly recommended. I do like Brannagh's Shakespeare direction. These make the Bard very accessible and truly entertaining, Henry V is quite a production - givers a real flavour of the historic aspect - bloody and despairing; but doesn't resort to gratuitous violence in the scenes - imagine that it would have been just like that.

Old favourite

It's OK, I suppose, with lots of space to write notes in.Gripe 1: a few paragraphs about Shakespeare at the back don't add up to 'annotated' in my book.Gripe 2: where does the striking cover picture come from?Think I'll go and buy the Arden (now published by Bloomsbury).

EXCELLENT REALISATION

Thank you!

Excellent.

Excellent for GCSE revision.

good

It was not the third edition...but that's fine...