In the shadow of the First World War, a military hospital becomes an unlikely theatre as recovering French and British soldiers stage Shakespeare’s Henry V. As the lines between roles and reality blur, the drama hits scarily close to home.
Synopsis
France, 1915. After a devastating gas attack on the Front line, groups of British and French soldiers find themselves united in a military hospital. Encouraged and supported by the medical staff, the soldiers stage a makeshift production of Shakespeare's Henry V as part of their recuperation and recovery.
Seamlessly transitioning from 1915 to 1415, we meet the young King Henry V of England as he seeks to prove his worth as a ruler and warrior. Initially doubted due to his wild youth, Henry resolves to conquer France to solidify his reign, and leads a small, determined English army across the Channel. The campaign culminates in the Battle of Agincourt, where Henry’s tactical brilliance and rousing speeches inspire his outnumbered troops to a stunning victory. Henry secures a truce with France and marries Princess Katherine, uniting the two kingdoms, and ending the play on a note of hope and celebration.
As the First World War soldiers enact the young king’s story, the performance draws poignant parallels to their own harrowing reality in the bloody trenches. The play’s portrayal of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the brutality of war deeply resonates with their struggles – they find a sombre connection to the past, realizing that the heavy toll of warfare transcends time. The film ends with the unwelcome news that the soldiers have been summoned back to the front line, underscoring the relentless cycle of conflict.
Directorial approach
Henry V is not just a war film or a Shakespeare adaptation – it's a story of transformation, resilience and the redemptive power of art. At its core, it's a call for connection where performance becomes a lifeline, and former enemies find common ground through shared storytelling.
Press for the Stage Production
The original Antic Disposition stage production of Henry V received widespread critical acclaim across the UK :
