By stephen stallebrass (Drstallebrass) (62.253.32.5) on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 05:19 pm:

Hi all:

From this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered…We lucky few, we band of brothers… for he who today sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.

Henry VI William Shakespeare

I just love this quote, I also love the Mike Ranney quote about serving with a company of heroes. They both send shivers down my spine.

Kind Regards

Steve Stallebrass
England

By Sarah Stone (Sestone) (209.86.24.108) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 02:10 am:

Henry V has always been one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. It is amazing how those words, written so long ago can perfectly sum up the entire book and mini - series. Ambrose is a great writer, and Hanks and Speilberg did a beautiful job with his work.

By Kerry Jones (Kerry) (213.51.0.208) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 04:49 am:

Today 17th of september; 59 years ago opperation Market Garden had just started. Today I will give an exra thought to the men who fought and died here for our freedom. May they rest in peace.

Kerry

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.131.70.61) on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 06:46 pm:

Steve, sorry to be pedantic but as Sarah's pointed out it's a quote from "Henty V" not "Henry VI".

"Henry V" was greatly anticipated by the Elizabethan theatre goers of the time but almost flopped. Despite containing two ("Once more into the breach...." and the one you've mentioned) of the world's classic motivational speeches it was too slow at times for the audience to appreciate it. They wanted to see acts of glory against the French from start to finish and it didn't match up to expectations.

Regards.

By stephen stallebrass (Drstallebrass) (62.253.32.5) on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 08:43 am:

Hi:

Yeah, I know. It's I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII and so on. I knew it was the 5th because Lipton quotes it at the end of episode 10. I put the wrong numeral in and I didn't realise until I had posted. I didn't have time to follow up with a correction, But cheers anyway.

A great quote all the same! Never really been that keen on Shakespeare, except for the odd movie adaptation and a sonnet here and there. When I first heard it ages ago I didn't even realise that it was written by Shakespeare and because I loved it I was surprised when I heard who wrote it. I may even broaden my horizons and read the play? OK rent the movie.

Kind Regards

Steve Stallebrass
England

By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (81.135.114.65) on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 01:52 pm:

Hiya Steve,

The two Henry V films do differ in style and budget.

The Olivier version was made to bolster morale during WW II and was filmed on location in Ireland and in the studio in England. The armour portrayed is quite correct (later melted down for the war effort) as is the costume. Olivier makes for a regal and commanding Henry.

The French charge scene at Agincourt is stunning, all the more so as it was done mainly by Irish horse owners all wearing armour for what must have been the first time. A more modern equivalent would be "Excalibur" as that was also done by similar folk in Ireland. Many of the extras in the studio scenes were G.I's either on furlough or even AWOL so as not to miss the opportunity. They can be spotted by the fact that they're wearing medieval helmets tilted to one side. Olivier dedicated the film to the spirit of the Commandos.

Take note of the Welsh "Captain Llewlyn". The actor was a WWII soldier, made permanently blind by wounds received in action. Olivier gave him the part.

The more recent Brannagh version is more accessible to the audience. He's more human. It was filmed mainly in the Thames Valley area of England and on a much more limited budget. Brian Blessed wore his own suit of armour for his part.
It is more gritty, sometimes better acted and more humouress.

Regards

By stephen stallebrass (Drstallebrass) (62.253.32.5) on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 07:57 am:

Hi:

Yeah cheers mate, I only knew of the more recent Brannagh version. I love these old WW2 films even the B&W ones, I'll pass on the Olivier version but will watch it on the TV if its on and I'll look out for that blind fella you mention.

Do I recall reading somewhere here that your a Brit if so where in Blighty are you from. Tell us about yourself? In fact why is it so few people have no profile?

Kind Regards

Steve Stallebrass
England

By Tim Ross (Ghosthunter) (24.71.223.140) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 08:55 am:

There's a new game out for the PC entitled Call of Duty. Going through 24 missions you end up being a Russian, a Brit and American. One of the first missions occurs on D-Day with a guy from Baker Company 506th PIR 101st AB. That's not the part that's important. There's a mission where with Easy taking out the guns in Brecourt Manor. That would be cool as hell.

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