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There might have been a little showing in their expressions, but not nearly as much as we would have seen if they’d actually spoken the lines and played them out. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when IĬome on? how then? Can honour set to a leg? no: orīoth of these are incredibly important and I’m puzzled why they were delivered that way, particularly since it was basically just a voice over while the character in question just sort of… walked around and took in the scenery. What need I be so forward with him thatĬalls not on me? Well, ’tis no matter honour pricks ‘Tis not due yet I would be loath to pay him before
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Who doth permit the base contagious cloudsĪnd the other was Falstaff’s Act 5 scene 1 closing speech: One was Hal’s Act 1 scene 2 closing speech:
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There were two major monologues that were delivered as voice overs. Some of the other editing/filming decisions, I liked a little less. It did make sense to get people clued in to just who Hal was and why he was proving such a thorn in his father’s side. I wasn’t sure how I felt about scene 1 and 2 of Act 1 being intercut originally, but it grew on me. This had the same quality on costuming and sets as Richard II to my untrained eye, and I have no complaints there. (If nothing else, one more play with Jeremy Irons and two with Tom Hiddleston? I am a happy girl.) I expect to keep repeating this sentiment for the next two plays as well.
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When he comes to collect Hal from his den of iniquity, the Sheriff says:Īnd never has the word noble been delivered with such pointed and censorious air quotes. I wish I knew his name, but it’s not currently listed on IMDB. Damn you, Hiddleston.Ī special shout out to the gentleman who played the Sheriff. The scene between Hal and Falstaff where they take turns pretending to be Henry IV was simultaneously hilarious and uncomfortable incredibly well done.Īlso, Tom Hiddleston’s Jeremy Irons impression made me snort beer through my nose. His self-serving interest in Hal is made so clear, though I think there’s genuine affection there as well. Which then brings us to Simon Russell Beale as Falstaff, because what would Hal without an utterly awful (yet jolly and hilarious) human being to egg him on? Best Falstaff ever, in my opinion. The beginning of Hal’s evolution from a waste of space to a great king gets a good start, and I can’t wait to see it continue in the next part. Never has a slap been so richly deserved, and it was preceded by a wonderfully insolent look to boot. I utterly adore Tom Hiddleston, but by the time Henry actually slaps Hal across the face, I was about ready to cheer for it. Of course, Irons wouldn’t be in such a good position to be a despairing father if Tom Hiddleston didn’t do such an incredible job playing Hal as an awful little prick. (And Joe Armstrong does indeed make him both likable and still hotheaded.) He radiates disappointment and despair that he’s ended up with a poor excuse for a son like Hal instead of Hotspur, who really is depicted as the paragon of all noble qualities – it’s hard not to like him. The best of Irons (and it was all good, so the best was incredible) was when he was playing more as the father rather than the king. Jeremy Irons does a fantastic job of depicting the utter weight that constantly sits on Henry without making him morose. (Does Jeremy Irons ever get to be king when he hasn’t deposed the rightful monarch first? Just asking.) The man can brood like a champion, and Henry does that a lot in this and the next play – because let’s be honest, he has a lot to brood over! His son is a smarmy, shameful party boy, he’s still torturing himself with guilt over what happened to Richard (as necessary as it was) and he’s dealing with open rebellion that’s only going to cost more lives. Quit torturing those kids in high school.)Ĭasting was perfect, just as it was for Richard II. (Because let’s face it… these works were meant to be viewed, not just read like normal books. I loved both parts of Henry IV when I read them – and as with Shakespeare, I expected to like them even better with a proper performance. I don’t need to start here with a litany of complaints about the play like I did with Richard II. …not that I’m in any way asking for a tennis delay by the time we get to that play. A tennis delay seems like something that would be so much more appropriate to Henry V… Hilariously enough it was delayed by an hour because of Wimbledon.