Shakespearean Winter '09

[xman]

Well I voted for Antony & Cleopatra, but would like to participate in anything really.

X

[wessexgirl]

Hi Wessexgirl, It is true that both plays are good ones. I like them both. I just thought that - bottomline - more people would stay with Richard III because it is suspenseful. I will discuss either one, although I only read Richard II once and will have to review the actual text.

Branagh's best film ever is Henry V - to me, it is a perfect film. He excelled in his first production, in my opinion; it is brilliant. I have seen it so many times now and never tire of that film. I liked the way he tied in Henry's early role in Richard II by flashback, in this way giving us some insight into the background of King Hal as a young man. Also, the way he showed us Falstaff is just great, another flashback device that works so well. I still feel like crying when Hal has to give the order to have Bartoff hung. To me that is a pivatol moment in the play. I own the film and I love it! There are some stunning scenes in the film, ones that just take my breath away - the moment the tear roles down Henry's cheek, and he lowers his head, after his lone silouquey in the nightcamp and following his prayer about building the chantry to Richard's memory; another is when Henry enters the chamber with the torches lighted on each side of him, he being in silouette and flowing robe, the way the doorway is awash with light....a thrilling moment. The soundtrack also is just perfect. I think it was Patrick Doyle's very first - amazing? Doyle appears in all of Branagh's films, did you know that. He plays bit parts mostly and sometimes sings or plays an instrument.

It is a stunning film, but I thought the flashback was to Henry the 1V, with Falstaff, with the echoes of marriage vows, but he's cutting him out of his life. "I do, I will" before the later heartbreaking line of "I know thee not old man". I've seen these performed at Stratford a few times with different actors and they are absolutely brilliant. I saw Alan Howard years ago (when I was at school) as Prince Hal, and more recently, but still more than a decade ago, Michael Maloney was the Prince. He's one of my favourite actors, and interestingly, he's often in Ken's (if I may be so bold as to call him Ken ) films, and played the Dauphin in Henry V. Falstaff was played by the late, great Robert Stephens, who played Pistol in the film, (or was he Poins?). He swallowed a raw egg concoction on stage every night I think, as a sort of hangover cure! Yeuk. The scene where Bardolph is hung is very moving. I think you need to see Henry 1V parts 1 and 2 to really see the growth of Prince Hal to Henry V. It is a wonderful transformation, and must be a gift for any actor to be cast for all 3. We also meet those other characters previously, and as I said in another thread, the death scene of Falstaff as narrated by Mistress Quickly, is very touching, after we've come through the previous plays with him.

I want to go and watch them all again now !

[Janine]

It is a stunning film, but I thought the flashback was to Henry the 1V, with Falstaff, with the echoes of marriage vows, but he's cutting him out of his life. "I do, I will" before the later heartbreaking line of "I know thee not old man". I've seen these performed at Stratford a few times with different actors and they are absolutely brilliant. I saw Alan Howard years ago (when I was at school) as Prince Hal, and more recently, but still more than a decade ago, Michael Maloney was the Prince. He's one of my favourite actors, and interestingly, he's often in Ken's (if I may be so bold as to call him Ken ) films, and played the Dauphin in Henry V. Falstaff was played by the late, great Robert Stephens, who played Pistol in the film, (or was he Poins?). He swallowed a raw egg concoction on stage every night I think, as a sort of hangover cure! Yeuk. The scene where Bardolph is hung is very moving. I think you need to see Henry 1V parts 1 and 2 to really see the growth of Prince Hal to Henry V. It is a wonderful transformation, and must be a gift for any actor to be cast for all 3. We also meet those other characters previously, and as I said in another thread, the death scene of Falstaff as narrated by Mistress Quickly, is very touching, after we've come through the previous plays with him.

I want to go and watch them all again now !

wessexgirl, I think we are hijacking this thread; so at anyrate, I will try to post a message in your profile page, if I may. I think we have a lot in common here and of course, you can call him Ken anytime at all! I own almost all his films, so I refer to him as Ken, too. I have read all the history plays, so I do know the full background of Prince Hal, that is what made the film so great to me and more poignant in certain scenes. I will take the rest of my response to you page. Be there soon.

[RG57]

I noticed that there are now three in the first spot, I fancy either of the Richard's to read this winter.

[Janine]

Still a tie...hummm....

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Sus001]

Am I too late?
My vote is for the Taming of the Shrew. I love the twist and transformation.

[Scheherazade]

You are not too late but you need to have at least 50 posts before you can vote.

If you visit the Games section, that can be achieved in one hour!

[Janine]

But we did discuss "The Taming of the Shrew" about a year or so ago; don't you remember?

[Janine]

When will the voting end...tonight?

[Virgil]

Richard the second snuck in. I wonder who got that going.

[Janine]

Richard the second snuck in. I wonder who got that going.

I don't know but after watching these excerpts with Derek Jacobi playing Richard, I wish to be the winner. If so I am definitely in. It should be great to discuss. It is a great play, I just forgot how great.

[motherhubbard]

I just placed a hold on Richard the Second. I'd like to be able to follow along with everyone.

[Janine]

I just placed a hold on Richard the Second. I'd like to be able to follow along with everyone.

Hi Motherhubbard, glad to hear it. I have become a convert now after watching some performance footage - wow! It is a good play - should prove interesting in discussion.

Did you vote yet, MH?

[motherhubbard]

Well, Janine- I didn't vote. I never contribute very much to the conversation and I hate to vote and then be a blob. If someone who will really contribute would rather read something else I would hate to be the blob that squashed what they wanted to read.