The Use of Flashback in Kenneth Branaghs Henry V Essay -- Film, Movie

The Use of Flashback in Kenneth Branaghs Henry V In Kenneth Branaghs film variation of William Shakespeares Henry V flashback is used at key moments to newsmonger on the action and to explain points in Henrys past, and how that past effects his present judgment. Certain scenes and lines are borrowed from parts cardinal and two of Shakespeares Henry IV to do this. The result is an amalgam of scenes, lines, and calibers which brings about a telling expose of Henry V, and the man he was before becoming king of England. Flashback is used in this adaptation directly, to establish key points and players in Henrys life, as well as in a less direct manner, coming through in his current actions, to press out his sovereignty, what that means to him and why. The initial flashback scene displays a memory of Pistols concerning Sir John Falstaff (portrayed by actor Robbie Coltrane). The flashback occurs while Falstaff is on his deathbed, and his remaining friends lament his impending loss. Branagh gives Pistol a line of Falstaffs, describing Falstaff in his own words as A goodly, portly man, in faith, (1 Henry IV. II. iv. 421), apparently to establish Falstaff as the well loved character he seems to be in the Branagh film. Falstaff is shown as the jolly jester in this flashback, and not at all as the dangerous, mischief making deceiver he is in the texts, themselves. Branagh focuses on the pathos of Falstaff, to display his rejection as an unfortunate one. It is in this flashback that the audience sees the Machiavellian seeds being sewn in Prince Hals personality as he shows his willingness to banish valiant Jack Falstaff, however it is not shown where these seeds came from. Falstaff advises his young friend not to banish him f... ...am Shakespeares Henry V, Branagh uses flashback in more than one way to declaim the classic story of King Henry V. Both in actual, and implied flashback Branagh shows the true character of Henry, along with what makes him the king that he is and what gets him to this point in his life. The byproducts of the humanization of Falstaff, and the blot of Bardolph, coupled with the unique look at Henrys image of his father gives the audience a very different look at this life story, but one which is nonetheless accurate, and entertaining. Works CitedHenry V. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. The Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1989.Kliman, Bernice W. Branaghs Henry V Allusion and Illusion. Shakespeare on Film Newsletter. 14.1 (Dec. 1989) 1+.Shaw, William P. Textual Ambiguities and Cinematic Certainties in Henry V. Literature Film Quarterly. 22.2 (1994) 117-28.