Henry V

Olivier’s acclaimed directorial debut brings glorious Technicolor and a fine William Walton score to Shakespeare’s patriotic play.

  • Director

    Laurence Olivier

  • With

    Olivier, Renée Asherson, Robert Newton, Leslie Banks, Esmond Knight

  • UK 1944. 141min

  • Digital

Olivier’s debut as film director was intended partly as a morale-booster (its release coincided with the Allies’ invasion of Normandy), but he also saw it as an opportunity to flex his cinematic muscles. Beginning in 1600 with Shakespeare’s play being performed at the Globe, thereafter opting for varying degrees of naturalism and stylisation, it makes much of the glorious Technicolor, sets, costumes and William Walton’s score.