I was at the Old Vic in London 1955 when Burton played Henry V in rep -- along with starring roles as Caliban, Sir Toby Belch, Hamlet and Coriolanus. Wonderful actor!
No man, no one at all, speaketh the English language better than Richard Burton. And, no speech could demonstate this better than King Harry's on the eve of St. Crispian's Day. As here we see.
Burton - a man of Wales, distracted by the charms of an English damsel in distress. Alas, poor man, his strengths, weakened by his love for his darling Elizabeth denied him the true greatness of those touched by the sovereign's sword. Such a waste of a tremendous talent - with that richness of voice, such presence would surely have had the Bard reaching for a quill, honoured to write for such a man. For me, its Burton's voice reading out the Battles honours of Rourke's Drift that captures the very essence of the man. Wales, indeed Great Britain, is a poorer place without him.
Such a marvelous actor and a man's man! My favorite? Thomas Becket opposite Peter O'Toole. Also his brief voice over in Zulu at the conclusion. Such an unmistakable voice. Ah, what a generation of actors.
Tell you what, Terri, and I don't believe it for one second, should you come across him on the other side, why not ask him your self. That should clear up any misunderstandings. Oh! And, while you are at it, could you have a word old Will - did he really write all that stuff himself, or, did he have ghost writers to help him. All the best, Bill.
Hi, Terri. You seem to be a great admirer of Richard. Therefore, I think it somewhat unkind of me to treat your comments light-hearted - and, at least, give you the courtesy of respecting your views. Kindest regards, Bill.
I am amazed how the greatness of Burton has been largely forgotten by the new ' cultural elites '. Perhaps Burton's intonations have been seen as too orthodox by a generation that seeks to de-construct everything. As a young man I saw Burton in Equus and am still entranced by the memory of it !!
When I was 10 in 1967, neighbors would trade vinyl LP's. I saw one that said Henry V. No idea of what that was, but put the needle down randomly, and then this guy talked on and on. I had no idea of what the Hell he was talking about, but they were the finest words ever spoken as far as I was concerned. I memorized this speech, accent and all. I was in high school before I knew what it was about. My parents thought I was crazy. They were right.
First time I've heard Burton's rendition of this epic speech and I loved it. His diction was superb and far better than Olivier's who probably sacrificed clarity for emotion whereas Burton managed both. It was a pity that that he got his breathing wrong on the final crescendo where had to take a breath between "St Crispin's" and "Day".
Burton's rendition was done indoors while Olivier's film was outdoors. Burton rolled words around in his mouth like fine wine while Olivier went for the whole presence - words, sound, delivery, facial and body movement and adjustment to others onstage or in the shot. Shakespeare has room for many interpretations that travel through time, that's why he is still performed widely today.
The genius of the speech is in the writing. If you listen to each rendition (Olivier, Burton, Branaugh ) it becomes clear that the speech carries each of them. And while they are the best of their profession to be delivering one of the greatest inventions of the English language, one has the impression that it would take a truly inept actor to render the speech uninteresting.
Of course the pace is fast, these men are leaders, intelligent with no time for fools, they face being slaughtered or possible victory; adrenalin will be running high forcing fear and uncertainty out of their minds. Just found this Burton performance a few days ago, never realised he could be this good, and I can never tire of hearing it. How can anyone resist not learning the whole thing! From what I can glean by far the best recording of this speech on youtube.
"...never realised (that Richard Burton) could be this good..." Perhaps not the best choice to portray this Henry, but the man does have the acting chops in spades, always did.
More passion than Branaugh and Olivier put together and it's just audio with no swelling background music soundtrack to elevate the scene. Burton is perfection.
I've listened to all three versions of the speech mentioned here. Burton's is the only one that makes sense to me. When he gets done, I'm reaching for my sword. The others, I'm just sitting in a theater listening to poetry.
When Burton wanted to he could really show the world what acting was. But he could also show the world how excessive alcohol abuse can ruin even the most talented person’s career
Lol! John Jessop what a silly thing to say! Have you no ear? Oliviers delivery is the highest polish of theater. He very craftily has a rise and fall to his cadence with a marvelous crescendo at the end. Burton has one of the greatest voices in theater and in this part belies a certain sort of mania in delivery. Except for the crescendo, his delivery is NOTHING like Oliviers'!
Now that Burton has been dead for nearly 30 years, we are seeing the genius that was the actor uncluttered by the alcohol and the disastrous marriages.
I am 65 and grew up watching His movies. For many Americans when we think of Roman’s speaking , well , before I knew what real latin was and I am of Italian and Portuguese ancestry, My ancestors were a Germanic Belgic tribe that was conquered by Julius Caesar and later served Rome in Britain on the Scottish Frontier and also contributed greatly to the origins of the English Language. As a kid i was convinced the Romans spoke English with British Accents .
This is not from the Stratford production but from a specially recorded version of the play (in a series of all the Shakespeare plays featuring leading British actors) edited to fit neatly on both sides of the old LP vinyl disc which was made in the 1960s. I know because I have a copy. However Burton did make his name in the 1951 RSC season at stratford where, aged 26, he played Prince Hal in the Henry IV plays and the King as here. He was hailed as "the next Olivier".
Here is a man after my own heart. This year has seen two new productions of Henry V, and whilst both Jamie Parker and Tom Hiddleston are fantastic actors, I found myself disappointed by their delivery of this speech.
@@jamesupton4996 Yes, I don’t think today’s actors are able to grasp the warlike spirit that imbues this character and play. Henry V is unabashedly patriotic, and is principally concerned with questions of honor and courage. This is not to say that WS ignores the ambiguities of war - far from it. But there is a masculinity on offer here that today’s generation cannot comprehend. And things like honor and physical courage are also quite anachronistic these days. This is also why you rarely anymore hear great music properly performed. Today’s musicians take Western achievement for granted, and are probably actually a bit ashamed of it, having been trained since birth to devalue their own patrimony.
The first, which was a pointless bloodbath, helped ignite the second, as the victors' mean-spirited aftermath sowed terrible poverty and unrest in Germany, bringing the world Hitler, king of the shitheads, whose cruel and stupid tyranny had to be crushed; but don't blame lee mitchell's two granddads; my father served in the Pacific as a doctor, and I'm sure he saw some sights he could never bear to speak of--
I've noticed before that actors used to speak more quickly at one time. Burton and Olivier virtually jabber their way through the speech, especially compared to Branagh, who takes his time, seeming to properly understand the import of what his character is saying, and appreciating the rhythms and cadence inherent in the speech, rather than just racing to the last full stop.
I agree with those who suggest Burton's rendition is too fast. Indeed, his reply to Montjoy is so fast that the words tumble over each other and are damn hard to understand. I wonder whether Burton and company assumed this frantic pace to accommodate a recording. Maybe the recording company, the recording artists, or both could afford only a limited number of LP sides -- perhaps six rather than eight?
@Tromminator Remember that Burton , and Olivier did not grow up with television. They were men of the theater. Their version is a theatrical version. Big, loud , expressive. Branaghs version is a TV version sedate and small.
"Since set the standard"; are you real Set what standard, Tromminator?. IMHO, the standard was set and hasn't been surpassed since Olivier's Henry V. Why didn't KB receive a special Oscar for Henry V as Lord Olivier did for the production of the movie, direction and best actor. Who can ever forget the scene where Olivier walks among his troops with "a little touch of Harry in the night.."
Leslie Banks’s Chorus is also a thing of genius in that production. William Walton’s score too. The whole production is imbued with greatness. And it was all helmed by Sir Laurence Olivier.
The three each have their quirks. I can't understand why Olivier omitts the phrase, "this day shall gentle his condition" . Branaghs' version is weak on the phrases, "let him depart", and , "We few. We happy few". And Burtons' has a clear underlying mania to it. Nevertheless, each is a masterpiece by actors we have been enriched to see.
@MajorTom18 Remember Burtons is in a small theater, Bigger that Oliviers ? A man of the theater who never saw a televison . Open set ? out doors in ireland. Branaghs is small and to the camera. : )
He said freshly remember-red. He buried the red beneath a boozy belch, it's Richard Burton after all, but I'm still glad to hear it. Read the line as it was written.
I've seen and heard the great Shakespearean actors like Burton and Olivier and they sound like they're doing a reading. Formidable voices yes but lacking in the moment. He could have been saying that speech on the toilet and it would still sound the same. The thing that Kenneth Branagh had over the greats was his knowledge of the camera and editing, giving the performance a much more realistic edge.
He which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And euros for convoy put into his purse; We would not Leave in that man's company That fears his fellowship to Leave with us. This day is call'd the feast of Brexit. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Brexit. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say "To-morrow is Brexit Day" Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say "These wounds I had on Brexit day."
Great performance. Would love to have seen the performance. However, it sickens me that Getty Images believe they can possess a historic photo that rightfully belongs in public domain.
That's a good question. I don't think he always rushed them, maybe only in the more animated passages for effect. If you watch him in Becket with O'Toole, there are many scenes where he speaks quite slowly. Personally, I just love hearing his wonderful voice speak Shakespeare. You can't say he doesn't bring the text to life!!
my problem with this is, it seems to go too fast. I love Burton's voice. I like to hear the ahs and the ohs... Whoos he that wishes sooo.,, but here his words just fly out. It seems so angry, almost spiteful. I also like Branagh best. His delivery matches the words. He sees the awful mess they're in.. if moral slips, as it almost certainly will, they are doomed. So, he says he is happy for this golden opportunity. We may die, but we're soldiers! If we don't die think of the glory won.
Ha! Maybe it's the verile intensityof his voice that is so foreign to you. Maybe you've never heard it in the men in your life, and almost certainly never in your own chest, or voice box, or even your imagination! hahaha! But I digress.What I like best in this delivery is his handling of the phrase, "We few. We happy few. We band of brothers..." This is a powerful statement that only the King can make and here Burton sounds as if he, as the King, is grasping it, causing it to be true. A thot.
delivery wise, branagh wins it for me, this narration by burton sounds like it belongs in a dad's army sketch. that said he was still a fine actor. mostly....
+Charlie O'Charlie There's no question but that he's gabbling it, far too fast. If I wasn't already familiar with the speech I wouldn't understand a lot of it.
Look, be Real! Kenny B.s performance of this speech.....no not performance, you can see that he actually Lived It.........can't be equalled. You can see the other Actors are Living it, too!!!
Far superior to Burton, but also cold. A kind of superman, I adored Olivier. But why would soldiers follow a leader who can't connect with them as human beings ?
These wounds i got when a troup of minor players did'st accost my good cousin...Bevis of Glasgow, with calumnous disregard for his lineage ! Half a year incarceration for nutting the types. Don't worry about old Bevis...he'll be allright.
Don't forget when Olivier did this England was at war and the movie was being used as a propaganda piece. The line "this day shall gentle his condition" probably wasn't seen as one that would unite the people but instead divide the nation into us and them.
All of these loyal men's children were later made homeless by Henry VIII when he abolished the right of the lords to have retainers. Then he hung all the homeless.
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. 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.
Wow - surely the best rendition of this speech I've ever heard
I was at the Old Vic in London 1955 when Burton played Henry V in rep -- along with starring roles as Caliban, Sir Toby Belch, Hamlet and Coriolanus. Wonderful actor!
😮😮😮😮😮❤️
No man, no one at all, speaketh the English language better than Richard Burton. And, no speech could demonstate this better than King Harry's on the eve of St. Crispian's Day. As here we see.
+Richard Bowman We "see" nothing here
Alas, poor Yorick Jenkins, YOU don't.... Some of us "see" just from the costumes, stances & facial expressions...and of course...what we hear.
And he was Welsh, like Harry.
Branagh nailed it beats this and also the Olivier and Hurt versions hands down
That’s just like.....your opinion man! Laurence Olivier tops Richard Burton and I’m a massive Burton fan too!
Superb, the very best Burton was. Respect.
Never fails to send thrills down my spine
"For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."
"We would not die in that man's company."
Legend.
Translates in to every language perfectly too.
Burton - a man of Wales, distracted by the charms of an English damsel in distress. Alas, poor man, his strengths, weakened by his love for his darling Elizabeth denied him the true greatness of those touched by the sovereign's sword. Such a waste of a tremendous talent - with that richness of voice, such presence would surely have had the Bard reaching for a quill, honoured to write for such a man. For me, its Burton's voice reading out the Battles honours of Rourke's Drift that captures the very essence of the man. Wales, indeed Great Britain, is a poorer place without him.
Such a marvelous actor and a man's man! My favorite? Thomas Becket opposite Peter O'Toole. Also his brief voice over in Zulu at the conclusion. Such an unmistakable voice. Ah, what a generation of actors.
Hi, Marcos. Thanks for adding your comments.
Bill.
My pleasure Bill
Tell you what, Terri, and I don't believe it for one second, should you come across him on the other side, why not ask him your self. That should clear up any misunderstandings. Oh! And, while you are at it, could you have a word old Will - did he really write all that stuff himself, or, did he have ghost writers to help him. All the best, Bill.
Hi, Terri. You seem to be a great admirer of Richard. Therefore, I think it somewhat unkind of me to treat your comments light-hearted - and, at least, give you the courtesy of respecting your views. Kindest regards, Bill.
I am amazed how the greatness of Burton has been largely forgotten by the new ' cultural elites '. Perhaps Burton's intonations have been seen as too orthodox by a generation that seeks to de-construct everything. As a young man I saw Burton in Equus and am still entranced by the memory of it !!
Don't know. All I know is that listening to these lines spoken by Olivier or Branagh I'd have followed Henry V into battle. Burton? Meh, not so much.
What nonsense, what disgusting culture war cant.
@@fiandrhi Ooh ! Scratch yer eyes out .
Those new elites are ignorant. Ignorant and blighted.
When I was 10 in 1967, neighbors would trade vinyl LP's. I saw one that said Henry V. No idea of what that was, but put the needle down randomly, and then this guy talked on and on. I had no idea of what the Hell he was talking about, but they were the finest words ever spoken as far as I was concerned. I memorized this speech, accent and all. I was in high school before I knew what it was about. My parents thought I was crazy.
They were right.
"We would not die in that man's company...that fear's his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V on the Eve of St.Crispin's Day
In junior high school in 1963, our English teacher had us memorize THIS St. Crispin’s Day speech by “a Welsh actor.” I didn’t know it was Burton.
Henry v was welsh.
What a great shame this perfomance wasnt recorded on film ....
His voice was magnificent!
First time I've heard Burton's rendition of this epic speech and I loved it. His diction was superb and far better than Olivier's who probably sacrificed clarity for emotion whereas Burton managed both. It was a pity that that he got his breathing wrong on the final crescendo where had to take a breath between "St Crispin's" and "Day".
Burton's rendition was done indoors while Olivier's film was outdoors. Burton rolled words around in his mouth like fine wine while Olivier went for the whole presence - words, sound, delivery, facial and body movement and adjustment to others onstage or in the shot. Shakespeare has room for many interpretations that travel through time, that's why he is still performed widely today.
First time I've heard this. I didn't know a recording existed. Superb.
Gives me goosebumps.
Me too. An unforgettable voice.
The genius of the speech is in the writing. If you listen to each rendition (Olivier, Burton, Branaugh ) it becomes clear that the speech carries each of them. And while they are the best of their profession to be delivering one of the greatest inventions of the English language, one has the impression that it would take a truly inept actor to render the speech uninteresting.
It's only text, is it? LOL. I have a Postmodernist's head on a stick in the garden ...
Richard Burton, you shall never be forgotten!
Of course the pace is fast, these men are leaders, intelligent with no time for fools, they face being slaughtered or possible victory; adrenalin will be running high forcing fear and uncertainty out of their minds.
Just found this Burton performance a few days ago, never realised he could be this good, and I can never tire of hearing it. How can anyone resist not learning the whole thing!
From what I can glean by far the best recording of this speech on youtube.
"...never realised (that Richard Burton) could be this good..."
Perhaps not the best choice to portray this Henry, but the man does have the acting chops in spades, always did.
But an actor shouldn't be so fast-paced!
You have not seen Sir Richard Burton in films?
Controlled power. What a magnificent rendition.
More passion than Branaugh and Olivier put together and it's just audio with no swelling background music soundtrack to elevate the scene. Burton is perfection.
A very amiable monster, indeed. "What's he that wishes so?" is still the best way of saying hello ever invented.
the best ever version down to Richard Burton!!!! - What a voice!!!!!!!
Burton knew every nuance of a Shakespeare play. None better.
RIP Richard.
This rendition is the very best. I like the ferocity of it.
I've listened to all three versions of the speech mentioned here. Burton's is the only one that makes sense to me. When he gets done, I'm reaching for my sword. The others, I'm just sitting in a theater listening to poetry.
Exactly. This is a battlefield speech. The line about letting people leave should be contemptuous. This really captures what the scene is reaching for
I prefer Sir Laurence Olivier he made the speech his, brings me to tears.
25 or 26 years old. His voice never changed.
No actor can match the aggression and passion of the late , great Welsh wizard Richard Burton..O.B.E.
C.B.E.
When Burton wanted to he could really show the world what acting was. But he could also show the world how excessive alcohol abuse can ruin even the most talented person’s career
I had no idea he was such a good actor. First class stuff!
I ADORE READING & Richard Burton
A truly great actor, and even more important a really nice bloke
26 dislikes are men who hold their manhoods cheap
Lol! John Jessop what a silly thing to say! Have you no ear? Oliviers delivery is the highest polish of theater. He very craftily has a rise and fall to his cadence with a marvelous crescendo at the end. Burton has one of the greatest voices in theater and in this part belies a certain sort of mania in delivery. Except for the crescendo, his delivery is NOTHING like Oliviers'!
Now that Burton has been dead for nearly 30 years, we are seeing the genius that was the actor uncluttered by the alcohol and the disastrous marriages.
I've found a Treasure!
I am 65 and grew up watching His movies. For many Americans when we think of Roman’s speaking , well , before I knew what real latin was and I am of Italian and Portuguese ancestry, My ancestors were a Germanic Belgic tribe that was conquered by Julius Caesar and later served Rome in Britain on the Scottish Frontier and also contributed greatly to the origins of the English Language. As a kid i was convinced the Romans spoke English with British Accents .
His delivery shaped my idea of war, freedom and honor
Broadsword calling Danny Boy :-)
It's a shame how the English who fought the French at Agincourt later, as old men fought each other at Towton.
This is not from the Stratford production but from a specially recorded version of the play (in a series of all the Shakespeare plays featuring leading British actors) edited to fit neatly on both sides of the old LP vinyl disc which was made in the 1960s. I know because I have a copy. However Burton did make his name in the 1951 RSC season at stratford where, aged 26, he played Prince Hal in the Henry IV plays and the King as here. He was hailed as "the next Olivier".
Here is a man after my own heart. This year has seen two new productions of Henry V, and whilst both Jamie Parker and Tom Hiddleston are fantastic actors, I found myself disappointed by their delivery of this speech.
Probably Shakespeare's bombast doesn't ring true any longer, so cannot be convincingly delivered.
@@jamesupton4996 Yes, I don’t think today’s actors are able to grasp the warlike spirit that imbues this character and play. Henry V is unabashedly patriotic, and is principally concerned with questions of honor and courage. This is not to say that WS ignores the ambiguities of war - far from it. But there is a masculinity on offer here that today’s generation cannot comprehend. And things like honor and physical courage are also quite anachronistic these days.
This is also why you rarely anymore hear great music properly performed. Today’s musicians take Western achievement for granted, and are probably actually a bit ashamed of it, having been trained since birth to devalue their own patrimony.
a lesson on how to do Shakespeare - magnificent!
English I am. And proud to be!!! Grandfathers at 2 world wars...
+Lee Mitchell What did winning those blood baths do for us?
Yorick Jenkins Kept us from living under a German Jack Boot. Clown.
The first, which was a pointless bloodbath, helped ignite the second, as the victors' mean-spirited aftermath sowed terrible poverty and unrest in Germany, bringing the world Hitler, king of the shitheads, whose cruel and stupid tyranny had to be crushed; but don't blame lee mitchell's two granddads; my father served in the Pacific as a doctor, and I'm sure he saw some sights he could never bear to speak of--
such glories are only sought by young men.
Burton waxes eloquent
I've noticed before that actors used to speak more quickly at one time. Burton and Olivier virtually jabber their way through the speech, especially compared to Branagh, who takes his time, seeming to properly understand the import of what his character is saying, and appreciating the rhythms and cadence inherent in the speech, rather than just racing to the last full stop.
I agree with those who suggest Burton's rendition is too fast.
Indeed, his reply to Montjoy is so fast that the words tumble over each other and are damn hard to understand.
I wonder whether Burton and company assumed this frantic pace to accommodate a recording. Maybe the recording company, the recording artists, or both could afford only a limited number of LP sides -- perhaps six rather than eight?
@Tromminator Remember that Burton , and Olivier did not grow up with television. They were men of the theater. Their version is a theatrical version. Big, loud , expressive. Branaghs version is a TV version sedate and small.
The 25 dislikes are holding their manhoods cheap.
"Since set the standard"; are you real Set what standard, Tromminator?. IMHO, the standard was set and hasn't been surpassed since Olivier's Henry V. Why didn't KB receive a special Oscar for Henry V as Lord Olivier did for the production of the movie, direction and best actor. Who can ever forget the scene where Olivier walks among his troops with "a little touch of Harry in the night.."
Leslie Banks’s Chorus is also a thing of genius in that production. William Walton’s score too. The whole production is imbued with greatness.
And it was all helmed by Sir Laurence Olivier.
I'd follow Burton into battle and Branagh into a coffee shop.
This was recorded at 33rpm and played back at 45rpm.
Legend
The three each have their quirks. I can't understand why Olivier omitts the phrase, "this day shall gentle his condition" . Branaghs' version is weak on the phrases, "let him depart", and , "We few. We happy few". And Burtons' has a clear underlying mania to it. Nevertheless, each is a masterpiece by actors we have been enriched to see.
First and foremost a Voice.
New kids on the block - all of you - learn well from the master!!!
Great….
@MajorTom18 Remember Burtons is in a small theater, Bigger that Oliviers ? A man of the theater who never saw a televison . Open set ? out doors in ireland. Branaghs is small and to the camera. : )
it's just that voice- only rivaled by Dylan Thomas himself.
He said freshly remember-red. He buried the red beneath a boozy belch, it's Richard Burton after all, but I'm still glad to hear it. Read the line as it was written.
Is that Laurence Olivier in the background? He has his own fine version.
Wow
I've seen and heard the great Shakespearean actors like Burton and Olivier and they sound like they're doing a reading. Formidable voices yes but lacking in the moment. He could have been saying that speech on the toilet and it would still sound the same. The thing that Kenneth Branagh had over the greats was his knowledge of the camera and editing, giving the performance a much more realistic edge.
At least Burton does the whole thing, I think the bit about the garments is cut from Branagh's and Olivier's.
He which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And euros for convoy put into his purse;
We would not Leave in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to Leave with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Brexit.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Brexit.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say "To-morrow is Brexit Day" Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say "These wounds I had on Brexit day."
Great speech. But why is Hal wearing the heraldic symbol of the eldest son on his jupon when he is, in fact, the king?
Possibly a picture of Burton in a production of Henry IV?
Are the 20 dislikes all Frenchman?
Lol Maybe, or just idiots
Lol !
Great performance. Would love to have seen the performance. However, it sickens me that Getty Images believe they can possess a historic photo that rightfully belongs in public domain.
It takes Richard Burton, a Welsh language speaking Welshman to deliver this Shakespearian speech as it should be.
Taught prose and Shakespeare by an English man Philip Burton
I bet they don't teach this in our schools now.
Nobody did it like Olivier
I do prefer Olivier's version in the film.......perhaps it's because the play was meant to be visual as well as hearing the words....
I concur.
Why did Burton always rush his lines?
It's as if he liked it snappy and go home sooner.
That's a good question. I don't think he always rushed them, maybe only in the more animated passages for effect. If you watch him in Becket with O'Toole, there are many scenes where he speaks quite slowly. Personally, I just love hearing his wonderful voice speak Shakespeare. You can't say he doesn't bring the text to life!!
"Why did Burton always rush his lines?" needed a shot of Scotch?
btw, Burton, Olivier and Branagh ALL excellent in the roll.
tetsuo takeuchi Was thinking the same thing, they're all rushing as if it's a crime to allow a pause
Well Burton was a massive alcoholic in his day, so maybe he was desperate to get to the pub?
+tetsuo takeuchi Burton sounds like a doctor or school teacher-not much passion in it
Kenneth Branaugh's version is the best!
Heresy! ‘Tis Sir Lawrence Olivier that hath performeth best!
@@Willi1977 :
You say he had performs the best?
Well, I'll trust you anyways, and look it up.
my problem with this is, it seems to go too fast. I love Burton's voice. I like to hear the ahs and the ohs... Whoos he that wishes sooo.,, but here his words just fly out. It seems so angry, almost spiteful. I also like Branagh best. His delivery matches the words. He sees the awful mess they're in.. if moral slips, as it almost certainly will, they are doomed. So, he says he is happy for this golden opportunity. We may die, but we're soldiers! If we don't die think of the glory won.
Ha! Maybe it's the verile intensityof his voice that is so foreign to you. Maybe you've never heard it in the men in your life, and almost certainly never in your own chest, or voice box, or even your imagination! hahaha! But I digress.What I like best in this delivery is his handling of the phrase, "We few. We happy few. We band of brothers..." This is a powerful statement that only the King can make and here Burton sounds as if he, as the King, is grasping it, causing it to be true. A thot.
Burton just shouted in everything.
Remember Agincourt...
He was quite good doing the War of the Worlds thingy .
Burton makes Henry sound like a fire eating Badass! Brannagh comes across as a cheerleader and Oliver as a spokesman for the Ministry of Propaganda.
delivery wise, branagh wins it for me, this narration by burton sounds like it belongs in a dad's army sketch. that said he was still a fine actor. mostly....
It sounds like everyone is sitting down.
Never mind. Perhaps you will.
@drose5200
I agree.
I think Burton's delivery is better than Olivier's or Branagh's.
I don't think mediocre, but I think better if seen as well as heard.
+Charlie O'Charlie There's no question but that he's gabbling it, far too fast. If I wasn't already familiar with the speech I wouldn't understand a lot of it.
Look, be Real! Kenny B.s performance of this speech.....no not performance, you can see that he actually Lived It.........can't be equalled. You can see the other Actors are Living it, too!!!
Very pretty, but very cold. Branagh for me. Hiddleston also very moving in this speech.
Far superior to Burton, but also cold. A kind of superman, I adored Olivier. But why would soldiers follow a leader who can't connect with them as human beings ?
Peter Von Berg Because it was 1415 and he was their king and they had too.
The Gap between King and commoner was almost unbelievable in 1415, but it seems even further today.
These wounds i got when a troup of minor players did'st accost my good cousin...Bevis of Glasgow, with calumnous disregard for his lineage ! Half a year incarceration for nutting the types.
Don't worry about old Bevis...he'll be allright.
Branagh head and shoulders above Olivier and Burton
Don't forget when Olivier did this England was at war and the movie was being used as a propaganda piece. The line "this day shall gentle his condition" probably wasn't seen as one that would unite the people but instead divide the nation into us and them.
If it was England at war, why did the Germans bomb Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I slept many a night in an air raid shelter.
I know whose rendition of Shakespeare's words would have roused me to do battle with the bloody French. It isn't this one - and still less Olivier's.
The "transcript" is completely incorrect.
All of these loyal men's children were later made homeless by Henry VIII when he abolished the right of the lords to have retainers. Then he hung all the homeless.
I am not offended by they who feed upon my cost. Proof positive the supposed web weaver never caught the food.
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.
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.
oliviers is the best
+Mark christmas In what respect?
You do know he told Sir Ludovic Kennedy that he smoked 60-100 cigarettes a day?