William Shakespeare

King Henry V William Shakespeare

Young King Henry V inherits the crown from his father. But, the family's claim to the throne is weak and his wild, dissolute youth still haunts him. To strengthen his position he decides to invade France, a move strongly supported by the Archbishop, who has his own motives. An insult by the Dauphin is enough for Henry to set out with a relatively small invasion force to experience the true nature of war firsthand. Soon his leadership is challenged in ways he never imagined and he is forced to rise to the occasion to keep the campaign alive. Proving to be charismatic and able to speak to all types of men, Henry remains resolute even when the odds turn dramatically against them. Much celebrated, King Henry V looks at war from both sides: the glorious and triumphant where heroes are born and nations rise to glory, as well as the tragic human cost and the often misguided motivations behind a war's supporters.