What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHenry V
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 1989
If you loved Henry V, start with Chimes at Midnight (Orson Welles, 1965) — a film from the same story. Below: 3 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Henry V across media.
If Henry V captivated you, it is because you appreciate how the immense weight of crown and duty shapes a ruler's moral soul.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Chimes at Midnight
Orson Welles · Film · 1965
Adaptation
My Own Private Idaho
Film · 1991
Adaptation
The Hollow Crown
Series · 2012
Books on the same thread
Shakespeare's History of King Henry the Eighth
William Shakespeare · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Henry V: Historical Drama.
Just as Henry V explores the heavy burden of leadership, this work examines the dangerous intersection of monarchy and court intrigue, revealing how power shapes the choices of kings.
King Lear
William Shakespeare · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Henry V: Historical Drama.
While Henry V focuses on the external pressures of war, this tragedy explores the internal psychological descent of a monarch grappling with the consequences of his own royal decisions.
Ivanhoe
Walter Scott · Book · 1984
Explores: Crusades, Royal Intrigue, Disguise.
If the historical conflict in Henry V intrigued you, you will appreciate this tale of chivalry and royal intrigue that mirrors the high-stakes power struggles of the English throne.
Series on the same thread
The Hollow Crown
Series · 2012
Shares 3 threads with Henry V: Kingship, Historical Drama, Shakespearean Adaptation.
This anthology captures the same essence of Shakespearean kingship found in Henry V, offering a broader look at the political maneuvering and succession crises that define English royal history.
To Play the King
Andrew Davies · Series · 1993
Explores: Power Struggle, Political Intrigue, Monarchy vs. Government.
This modern political drama reflects the same moral corruption and tension between a leader's duty and personal ambition that you witnessed in the character arc of Henry V.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
This podcast delves into the same moral ambiguity and consequences of power that drive the narrative of Henry V, providing a deep analytical lens on the realities of history.
Mahabharatam
Podcast
Explores: ancient warfare, family conflict, duty (dharma).
Much like the philosophical discourse on duty found in Henry V, this epic saga explores the complex intersection of ancient warfare and the heavy burden of dharma for royalty.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Henry V related to The Hollow Crown?
Yes, both Henry V and The Hollow Crown series explore the historical narrative of the English monarchy during the Hundred Years' War. While Kenneth Branagh directed the 1989 film, The Hollow Crown provides a broader television adaptation of the historical events surrounding the reign of Henry V.
Should I watch Chimes at Midnight after Henry V?
Watching Chimes at Midnight is a logical choice for fans of Henry V. Both films draw from the same source material regarding the Hundred Years' War. This 1965 film offers a different cinematic perspective on the historical period depicted in the 1989 Henry V production.
Does My Own Private Idaho share themes with Henry V?
My Own Private Idaho is inspired by the same Shakespearean source material used for Henry V. While the 1991 film modernizes the narrative, it retains thematic connections to the royal conquest and character arcs established in the historical context of the 1989 Henry V movie.
How does the 1989 Henry V compare to other adaptations?
The 1989 Henry V focuses specifically on the 1415 conquest of France during the Hundred Years' War. Other adaptations like The Hollow Crown or Chimes at Midnight expand upon or reinterpret the historical events and characters found in the source material used for the Branagh film.