"Chimes at Midnight" (1965) Coronation

[@TheBermudaMan]

I love how you can hear the momentary quiver in Hal's voice as he cuts all ties with Falstaff, perhaps one last glimmer of his humanity before he disappears behind the throne forever. These two souls are heading their separate ways in the harshest fashion imaginable, and at the same time, they could never possibly be closer to each other than they are here.

[@tungstenkid2271]

I think I detected a slight smile on Falstaff's face as Henry was banishing him, perhaps he was in a way proud that Henry really had 'put away his former self' and was now a true and noble King.

[@richardmlouis]

Agree

[@troglodyte1378]

Oddly, when I look upon Falstaff's eyes as Henry walks away, I do not see betrayal, sadness, or woe. Falstaff does not cry, he doesn't waver, and accepts the terms of banishment. Falstaffs understands how and why Henry would do as such, and decides that his work is done.

[@tyroneslothrop6440]

This emotion is lost in the play itself imo, which is why I love this movie so much. Falstaff is proud of Hal, and Hal is proud of the fact that Falstaff understands. A feeling only conveyed through mute expression

[@TheSaltydog07]

"The king has killed his heart." Mistress Quickly. _Henry V_

[@Antonio.dei.Demanaro]

Oh so you started emulating Steve Bannon on American Dharma. Cool. You should start working on having your own thoughts. That Interpretation is absolutely flawed and there's evidence for it.

[@daviedovey]

one of the strongest reasons why it's one of my favourite films of all time

[@nathansimpson2363]

Falstaff is proud of Hal. You can tell Hal longs profoundly for the days of his youth and is in pain as he reviles his friend, but both know it's what must be done. These plays are about a bachelor becoming a wise and competent man. Falstaff is eternal adolescence, which Harry loves, but knows he must leave behind. One of Shakespeare's most moving arcs.

[@Hansprivate]

One of my favorite scenes ever!

[@TheWchurchill4pm]

In my college Shakespeare class, someone said Henry may have been trying to protect Falstaff. People want to tear down a King’s friends so that they can take those friends’ places. Just look at all the “friends” Henry VIII went through because they kept pulling down their predecessors! I think Henry’s coldness was his last act of friendship to his beloved old man.

[@keenanmccarty9925]

He does literally kill a bunch of his "friends" in Henry V though...

[@muslit]

One of the greatest moments in film.

[@brograb898]

“Banish plump Jack, and banish all the world.“ “I do. I will.”

[@davepangburn]

Betrayal...soul-jarring, spirt-destroying betrayal. A good and noble King, Henry the 5th, it was said. Betrayer of a friend I say. Falstaff's broken heart is a mirror.

[@timdewit6088]

And yet you can see a shimmer of pride in Falstaff's face. He is proud that Henry found it within himself to renounce him, wretch that he was. Though for him it was a mortal blow, the Kingdom was better off for it, and Welles's Falstaff knew it. Also, to be fair, Henry did warn Falstaff that he would one day renounce him.

[@Ardepark]

I think you fail to grasp the life-affirming tragedy in itself. It HAD to be this way. Falstaff's face shows the mixture of hurt and approval as he realizes it.

[@TheBermudaMan]

Any king who abandons his humanity is not a true king, and that's precisely what Henry did when he renounced Falstaff. The final narration about Henry at the movie's end is meant to be ironic as Falstaff's body is carted away. He's become the eternal skeleton in Henry's secret; the murder inflicted through a broken heart that no one can ever know about. Maybe Henry and Falstaff thought there wasn't another option, but only fools could think that - and I mean the true, cruel fools who run our world to this day, not sad old creatures like Falstaff.

[@redram5150]

Falstaff was a piece of shit who sent the poor to their deaths for profit by the rich.

[@Vpopov81]

loyal to his kingdom and put his own self aside doing what needed to be done

[@Vpopov81]

how ill white hairs become a fool and jester. I have long dreamed of such a kind of man..... so surfeit swelled so old and so profane.... But being awake I do despise my dream!!!

[@axzaxz6]

one of the best scenes ever

[@russellcampbell9198]

Hal had warned Falstaff - "I do...I will". Falstaff, for all his insight, didn't know Hal. His disappointment is as much with himself as with Hal - or, at least, should have been.

[@markmerzweiler909]

A quite astute observation.

[@redram5150]

I don’t see Falstaff as insightful. He was someone who only saw the next move... the next con. He always lived for now and couldn’t plan for the future

[@archer1949]

My favorite version of my favorite story.

[@Robinsonero]

An old story really. The peace loving, true hearted and humble one is forsaken by those hungry for power and trapped by duty. Socrates, Christ, Falstaff.

[@Vpopov81]

can you explain how this pertains to socrates? was he betrayed?

[@Robinsonero]

@@Vpopov81 forsaken by the athenians who he was trying to save

[@benschwartz7588]

Falstaff... true hearted?

[@pedrobakale7180]

Betrayal of friendship Is there more to say?

[@koomo801]

A theme in nearly everything Welles did.

[@antoninstancl9198]

Your royal hiney!

[@pedrobakale7180]

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