THE KING


UK/Hungary/Australia, 2019, 140 minutes, Colour.
Timothee Chalamet, Joel Egerton, Ben Mendelsohn, Sean Harris, Dean-Charles? Chapman, Lily- Rose Depp, Thomasin Mc Kenzie, Tara Fitzgerald, Tom Glynn- Carney, Andrew Havill, Edward Ashley.
Directed by David Michod.


In looking back over English history, especially in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, the title of The King could well be claimed by Henry V. He came to prominence during the Hundred Years War between England and France, invading France, defeating the French at Agincourt, uniting the kingdoms for a time. However, the union was not to last – and, Joan of Arc was soon to come leading the French troops and defeating the English.

Henry V was immortalised by Shakespeare – and brought to life on screen by both Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh.

However, in Shakespeare’s plays about Henry and his relationship with his father, Henry IV, there is a picture of a rather dissolute youth, Prince Hal, his seedy companions and the influence of Sir John Falstaff, large and bumbling, guide to the Prince and to be rejected by him as Hal became serious, took on responsibility, became Henry V.

The King is an ambitious film, written by the director, David Michod and the star, playing Falstaff with great panache, Joel Edgerton. The choice of an actor to play Henry V is quite interesting, perhaps unexpected, a rather gaunt young man, serious in appearance and manner, Timothee Chalamet who received an Oscar nomination for Call Me by Your Name. Ben Mendelsohn, who was most impressive as George VI in The Darkest Hour but who has played many larrikins offers an arresting cameo as Henry IV. Sean Harris is the adviser, William. Robert Pattinson, affecting a broken English accent, is the cynical and rather smug Dauphin.

Audiences who have no need to brush up their Shakespeare can be assured that this screenplay is literate, intelligent, echoes of the period but communicating to contemporary years. The writers offer an exhortatory speech by Henry on the eve of Agincourt, not once more unto the breach, but eloquent and stirring nonetheless.

The scenes of Prince Hal’s youth are brief, indicating the dissolute aspects, introducing Falstaff and his influence, enough for Henry IV to cut him off as heir. Throughout the film we have the opportunity to puzzle about how Hal made the change to the responsible and regal Henry, a skilful warrior, merciless in his killing, gaining the respect of his advisers and soldiers who initially are wary of him.

The bulk of the film takes place with the invasion of France, the siege of an imposing castle, an encounter with the Dauphin and defying him, and the detail of the battle of Agincourt, the strategies, to trap the French knights and their horses in muddy ground, hand-to-hand combat, even a scene where the Dauphin wants to fight Henry but is humiliated, cumbersome and unable to stand, in the mud. The sequences, staged in Hungary where the film was shot, bring home the harshness and brutality of close encounter warfare.

But, as with Shakespeare, the film does not end in battle and triumph but in the restoration of order, the uniting of France and England with Henry’s marriage to the daughter of the French King (Lily Rose Depp), and unmasking of traitors, peace for a time.

The King is an impressive excursion into history.


1. The title? Henry V of England? His father, Henry IV? The nature of Kings, rule, power? The use of war? The kings as males and warlike attitudes?

2. Audience knowledge of and interest in British and French history? The first half of the 15th century?

3. The background of Shakespeare, the two parts of Henry IV, Henry V? The range of characters, actual characters like the kings and Hotspur, the nobles? Fictitious characters from Shakespeare like Falstaff?

4. 21st-century version and interpretation? The strong screenplay? Literate? Paralleling Shakespeare’s poetry with literate prose? The strong cast?

5. The opening with the battle, introducing the audience to war? Hotspur, the battle, the survivor and his killing him ruthlessly and calmly? The issue of the war, issues of ransom, issues of loyalty, Hotspur and his hotheadedness, his father’s apologies? He his storming out of the meeting? Henry IV’s comments, condemnation of Hotspur?

6. The portrait of Hal, becoming Henry V? Age, personality, relationship with his father, the friends in Eastcheap, the friendship with Falstaff, dependence on him? Dissolute life? Yet introverted? His growing sense of responsibility, an era of war, his becoming a warrior, sailing to France?

7. Henry IV, his age, looking dishevelled, the meeting, the demand to see his son, his background as a usurper, his counsel, interaction with Hotspur, his demoting his son as heir? His younger son?

8. Hal and his change, how credible? A serious man? The clash with his brother Thomas, going to the battlefield, offering to fight single-handed? The battle, his skills, killing Hotspur? The news that Thomas was defeated in battle?

9. Henry IV, death, Hal’s visit, sitting beside his father’s bed?

10. Henry V, in court, the courtiers and advisers, his singling out Cambridge and others? Opening the gifts, the ball from the Dauphin? The discovery of the spy and the consequences? The decision to invade France?

11. The character of Falstaff, audience memories of Shakespeare, his past, in battle, carousing, the inn, the friends? Hal choosing him, his decision to go with Hal? Falstaff?

12. The invasion of France, the ships, the men, the range, the tents, supplies? Falstaff’s presence? The other advisers? The background of the exposure of Cambridge and their conspiracy? Hal watching the execution, merciless?

13. The Dauphin, his personality, speaking English, the accent, the touch of cynicism, the touch of playfulness? Hal meeting him? The discussions, no surrender?

14. The huge castle, laying siege to it, the fireballs, the camp, the meeting, but the difficulties for the men, supplies, illness? The question about attacking or continuing the siege?

15. The hardships, Hal and his prayer, consultations, making decisions?

16. Falstaff, his plan, sensing the rain in his knee, the advice, the alternate advice and spurn of Falstaff’s plan? The King’s decision? His travelling to defy the Dauphin? The Dauphin and his superiority?

17. The plan, the rain, the heavy cavalry from France, the English waiting in the woods, the horses, the descent, Falstaff and his troop confronting? The fierceness of the melee, the horses and others caught in the bog? The English firing the arrows? The intense fighting, the Dauphin and his confrontation of Hal, his slipping in the mud, his defeat? The victory but Falstaff’s death?

18. Meeting the King of France, his surrender, his observations on the situation, England and France and enmities? The proposal that Hal marry Catherine? Her frank talk, his pledge? The wedding and commitment?

19. On the ship, praising William for his loyalty, the information about the spy, the falsehoods, confronting William, his being measured for his clothes, on the steps, the king mercilessly killing him? The uniting of the kingdoms? The later history of Henry V, the reputation of the battle of Agincourt, Henry VI, Regency, the French confrontations, Joan of Arc, the Henrys of Lancaster, Richard III and York, the defeat by the Tudors? An opportunity to visualise and reflect on English 15th century history?