Well... we've come to another 25 October again... and I've woefully neglected my blog. Let's just say there's been a dearth of Shakespeare in my life recently. But it's Saint Crispin's day... and this time I thought I'd put up several different versions of Henry V's Saint Crispin's Day speech.
This first video has four versions in it. It starts with Sir Larry from 1944, then goes to David Gwillim (1979), followed by Michael Pennington (1989), and finally Sir Kenneth Branagh (also in 1989).
Next, we'll go back to 1951 with just the audio of Richard Burton's performance.
And then we'll wrap it all up with the newest one: Tom Hiddleston from The Hollow Crown: Henry V (BBC 2012).
So... what do you think? Who do you think captured the feel of the thing best? Who would you follow into a hopeless-looking battle? Don't be shy! (I was really surprised by my reactions to all 6 of these!) I'd love to hear your thoughts. :-D
I can barely contain my excitement for this. The BBC is doing Richard II, Henry IV (parts 1 and 2) and Henry V. They air in England in June... and who knows when for the poor, culture-deprived Americans. Looks like in Richard II alone we will see Patrick Stewart, David Morrissey and David Suchet, with Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Iain Glen, Niamh Cusack, and a bunch of other people I will probably recognize on the screen filling in the other 3 movies. Happy sigh....
Anyway... So you all can get as excited as I am... here's a trailer. :-D Try not to drool too much...
And if that wasn't enough... Look! Here are some clips!!! :-D First from Richard II:
OK. I'm a couple days late. But I love Harry's St. Crispin's Day speech too much to wait for another year to roll around. Enjoy....
Earl of Westmoreland. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!
Henry V. What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
