Where to start withHenry V
5 versions · originally a film, 1989
Themes: Kingship, Leadership, Warfare, Morality of War, Duty vs. Desire.
Start with Henry V (Kenneth Branagh, 1989) — the film. Henry V exists in 5 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1989; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The saga of Prince Hal’s transformation from a dissolute youth into the burdened, strategic monarch leading England through war.
✦ Most fans start here
Henry V (1989)
The original movie
✦ Start hereHenry V
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 1989
Henry V (1989) offers Kenneth Branagh’s definitive, visceral interpretation of the warrior king, perfect for viewers seeking a cinematic standard that balances grand Shakespearean spectacle with intense, gritty battlefield realism.
1965 film
Chimes at Midnight
Orson Welles · Film · 1965
Chimes at Midnight (1965) presents Orson Welles’s singular, moody vision of the Henriad, providing a fragmented, atmospheric experience ideal for those interested in auteur-driven classic cinema rather than traditional adaptations.
1991 film
My Own Private Idaho
Film · 1991
My Own Private Idaho (1991) reimagines the narrative through a modern, counter-cultural lens, offering a poignant, stylistic exploration of identity that suits viewers interested in loose, experimental reinterpretations of Shakespearean themes.
2012 series
The Hollow Crown
Series · 2012
The Hollow Crown (2012) delivers a comprehensive, prestige television anthology of the history plays, serving as the best choice for audiences who want a cohesive, long-form immersion into the complete cycle.
2019 film
The King
David Michôd · Film · 2019
The King (2019) provides a somber, grounded 21st-century perspective on Hal’s reluctant ascension, appealing to fans of contemporary historical dramas who prefer a stripped-back, brooding aesthetic over traditional stage-bound theatricality.
Common questions
Is The King a direct sequel to the 1989 Henry V movie?
The King is not a sequel to the 1989 Henry V movie. Both films are separate adaptations of historical events surrounding the same monarch, but they feature different creative visions, casts, and production styles rather than continuing a single narrative timeline.
Should I watch The Hollow Crown after finishing Henry V?
If you enjoyed the 1989 Henry V, you should watch The Hollow Crown. This 2012 television series provides a broader context for the era by adapting multiple Shakespearean history plays, allowing you to see the events of Henry V within a larger chronological framework.
What order should I watch Chimes at Midnight and Henry V?
You can watch Chimes at Midnight and the 1989 Henry V in any order. Chimes at Midnight focuses on the earlier life of the character who becomes king, while Henry V centers specifically on the later military campaign depicted in the 1989 film.
Is My Own Private Idaho related to the 1989 Henry V?
My Own Private Idaho is loosely inspired by the same Shakespearean source material used for Henry V. While it is not a direct adaptation of the play, it incorporates themes and character dynamics found in the Henry IV and Henry V narrative cycle.