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Several
attempts to bring Shakespeare's Henry V to the screen have been
made. Only the 1989 version, starring and directed by Kenneth
Branagh has been successful. It is a
marvelous and stirring film with a strong anti-war sentiment.
This
synopsis focuses on parts of the story related to leadership. It
omits various sub-plots and other themes.
Leadership
Synopsis
In
the opening scenes, a young King Henry
has recently ascended to the throne of England. He has
reason to believe there is a lawful reason to unite England and
France under one ruler, himself.
Henry's
youthful escapades have brought him a reputation as a lightweight
playboy. The Dauphin of France sends a
scornful joke-gift in the form of tennis balls. Henry
responds:
When
we have march'd our rackets to these balls,
We will, in France, by God's grace, play a set
Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard...
...So
get you hence in peace; and tell the Dauphin
His jest will savour but of shallow wit,
When thousands weep more than did laugh at it.
A
plan is conceived to invade France. After a minor
sub-plot involving traitors, action proceeds to the small town of
Harfleur in France.
Henry
leads his forces "from the front" and takes
the town. He orders his men to treat the residents as English--
there is to be no pillaging or stealing. A boyhood friend is
caught stealing and Henry hangs him for the offense.
Dysentery
plagues the town and Henry marches his main force towards Calais
with the intent of returning to England.
The
French forces intercept Henry at Agincourt. The English
are heavily outnumbered, sick, tired and despondent. The French
call for a surrender and ransom. Henry responds:
We
are but warriors for the working-day;...
...But, by the mass, our
hearts are in the trim.
...We
would not seek a battle, as we are;
Nor, as we are, we say we will not shun it:
Westmoreland
laments that "If we had just
10,000 of those men who do no work in England." Henry
responds: "... the fewer the men
the greater the share of honor." Truly
the greatest inspirational speech in
any medium ensues. |
The
battle engages and the French are defeated by English
archers, mud and their own indiscipline. After the battle, the
French and English carry their dead and wounded to the nearby
castle of Agincourt.
KING
HENRY V
Come,
go we in procession to the village.
And be it death proclaimed through our host
To boast of this or take the praise from God
Which is his only.
FLUELLEN
Is
it not lawful, an please your majesty, to tell
how many is killed?
KING
HENRY V
Yes,
captain; but with this acknowledgement,
That God fought for us.
For
a more complete analysis, see "Henry
V and Charismatic Leadership" . This page gives
specific examples taken from Shakespeare's play.
The
Leadership Series
This
page is one part of a series. "Leadership
for Lean Manufacturing" begins the series with an
overview and summaries of leadership style and the Charismatic
Leadership Model. "Tales
From Twelve O'clock High" is an excellent article from
Major Attila Bognar of the U.S. Army. Major Bognar describes the
model and relates it to the classic 1948 film about the Eighth Air
Force. |
