William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, and it is clear as to why. His plays have been translated into nearly every living language and are performed more than any other playwright. Shakespeare’s works are still highly popular today and are studied and performed throughout the world. Almost all of his written works have been made into various films and adaptations worldwide. They will continue to be performed because they are constantly being changed by the directors to fit the times and audience, making them timeless. Shakespeare’s historic play Henry V is one that has been adapted and interpreted in many different ways. Two films that best represent this are “Henry V” directed by Kenneth Branagh in 1989 and “The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France” directed by Laurence Olivier in 1944. …show more content…
Some of these differences are subtle and probably would not be caught at a first viewing of the film but are there nevertheless. The 1989 version of “Henry V” directed by Kenneth Branagh is obviously better suited for viewers of this century but “The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France” directed by Laurence Olivier in 1944 was still a very entertaining and important film and was proved to be loved in its time. It is astounding how two directors can take the same play and make it into two completely different movies and get two completely different points across to the audience. Because of these films, Henry V is a much more entertaining play now. Both directors did an absolutely incredible job at interpreting the play in their own way and making the audience actually believe that these were the ways William Shakespeare intended the story to be