Henry V- St. Crispin's Day Speech (Subtitled)

Henry V's St. Crispins Day Speech with Subtitles. Sorry bout the watermark.

[@blockmasterscott]

"For we are but warriors for the working day". I was in the Marines when I saw this in 1989, and I was like "Dayyyyyyyymn". I actually teared up.

[@davidward2052]

Considering this speech was written 500 + years ago, long long before anyone began analyzing the inner workings of the mind and its motivations, it is an astonishing examination of human psychology and the art of persuasion. The odds are set up prior to the speech. The French outnumber them 5 to 1. They are all fresh troops. By all rights this battle should be a slaughter that makes the Little Big Horn and the Alamo look like high school pep rallies. But how does Henry start it... " He who fights this day and comes home safe; He who lives to see old age, shall tell, with advantages the deeds he did this day". Suddenly all these men, who are essentially expecting their executions are being given hope of life by their King. What a tremendously rousing thing to say. Then he rolls on, telling them what honor and status they will have at home, how they shall be equal.. EQUAL.. as a brother to he who wears the crown. Shakespeare had astounding insight into human psychology and thought. This may be the best motivational speech ever written.

[@stevenburrito7032]

Philosophers and theologians have been analyzing human motivation for thousands of years. At a much higher level, in some cases, even than work being done today.

[@aussiejed1]

They didn't need costuming for Brian Blessed; he just turned up like that.

[@bigbrowntau]

It's his own suit of armour.

[@derektolcher7897]

Always ready

[@billfox7066]

He wore the same suit in the black Adder Brian blessed that's his a tuxedo

[@theexile6605]

@@billfox7066 Better than his outfit in Flash Gordon! Ha.

[@glynbrain1083]

His armour had gauntlets on the shoulders in The Black Adder.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

Probably the greatest speech written in English drama, you can't hear it and not be moved!

[@steveosullivan5262]

Yes, some of de Vere's best script.

[@williamtimmins7967]

Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

[@adamguerrero5293]

@@steveosullivan5262 exactly

[@markpower5756]

​@@steveosullivan5262 Please don't.

[@kirbydog01]

Always enjoyed the play, but in 1989, I discovered my all-time favorite film and actor. Greatest of his generation: Kenneth Branagh.

[@steveosullivan5262]

Yes him and Richard Burton.

[@jamesrafferty9048]

When I sat in the Fine Arts Theater and watched this film when it was first released it was the first time ever i felt I understood what the author meant by the script he wrote... Branagh gives one of the finest performances of the English language in the cinematic history

[@managerialelitetoaster3456]

“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.” Niccolo Machiavelli

[@adamguerrero5293]

Indeed.

[@enriqueranero]

El mejor discurso motivacional de la historia de la literatura!!!

[@tmac8892]

It was a pretty peaceful century except for the hundred years war.

[@johnrandall125]

It was originally called 'Operation Swift Resolution'. (Hat tip to The Simpsons - and the hundred years war was actually about 113 years, and it was not war for all of that time)

[@carlospaniagua405]

im from mexico, my mom and I catched the movie years ago on local tv, she didnt knew it was a shakesperian play. And at the end of this speech she was crying and said this is how a king talks.....

[@EdDueim]

Shakespear's Harry played a large part in how we see an ideal king. We see it today in Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones...They owe a lot to Harry.

[@codex8085]

I always wondered, when they translate the play, is in in modern Spanish? We in the UK only ever see it in Old English.

[@scottparis6355]

@@codex8085 No, you see it in early modern English. If it were in Old English, you wouldn't understand it at all. Old English is a completely different language.

[@bjperry8342]

@@EdDueim may God bless your mother for she is of the few who see beauty in real men who serve the lord!!

[@williammartin2593]

Hi. I hope you will see Romeo+Juliet with Leo di Caprio! Filmed in Mexico City.

[@johnwilletts3984]

An inspirational speech so powerful, it puts fire into the belly of any man listening. Not just those men at the time, now a-bed. But I suspect many modern men now hold their manhoods cheap, for missing this St Crispin’s day.

[@WalterTonetto]

Aye... Well said in an age of subterfuge

[@Falconlibrary]

Still can't believe Monty Python never did a skit where Shakespeare was speaking these lines out loud to see how they'd sound and a crotchety old lady neighbour banged on the wall and screeched "Keep it down, some of us are trying to have our naps!"

[@Falconlibrary]

Instead of berating his men for cowardice, as a bad king might have done, Henry reaches down into them and pulls up their fighting spirit, stirring them to not only face battle, but to crave it. The power to make men disregard their own deaths is what makes a great king. For Henry, these men will now do anything.

[@ues5587]

in 1997, I saw Mark Rylance as Henry V at the very recently opened New Globe in London, I think this may have been their inaugural production. At the precise moment in this speech, when Henry says I wouldn't have one more man here than wants to be here, anyone who wants to leave can go right now, here's money for the passage -- at that precise moment, the heavens opened up and it started to pour. Half the groundlings fled for shelter. The rest crowded in toward the stage, as he continued to the climactic "we few, we happy few, we band of brothers" -- has a better speech ever been written? and every single person there marveled at the heavenly stage management (we were under cover a level up).

[@marvinc9994]

Great stuff - thanks for that !!!

[@ukwizard]

We band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. ---A king telling you he is your brother would be a high high honor then.

[@theexile6605]

Thanks ever so much for Enlightening us! Otherwise we wouldn't have figured that out!

[@johnnywalker9287]

The highest of praise

[@censorduck]

18 people find their manhoods cheap.

[@Lyle-xc9pg]

@Jude M id gladly go to war to defend europeans

[@majkus]

Best half-time locker room speech ever wrought.

[@jw4499]

This film was my induction to Shakespeare. Thank you Sir Kenneth Branagh

[@scopex2749]

any dry eyes left or spines NOT tingled? TRULY the greatest work of the Bard.

[@The_OneManCrowd]

Well, if that doesn't get you fired up for a fight, nothing will!

[@lengthmuldoon]

"we few, we happy few - we band of brothers" Only lightening jump starting the heart of a coma patient could be so galvanising.

[@robertmoraga1501]

I agree with all the posts about how stirring this scene is; though I might add that the score is also exceptional and lends itself well to elevating the passion of the speech. For any who struggle with Shakespeare, check this film out. You really can understand what they are saying and it is beautiful to hear spoken. Good flick too! Peace, all.

[@brianfoley4328]

I believe this is the best version of this speech.

[@MrAlcidas]

Yup. Better than Olivier, and I say that as a long-time fan of Laurence Olivier

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Damn, if I could turn a phrase like that...absolute brilliance. Perhaps one of the finest if not the finest sequence of words ever penned. And Shakespeare wrote how many of these in how many plays? Thank you for presenting the subtitles. Some prefer Olivier's interpretation. Olivier offered a purer version but I love this verson for the music and the passion in the voices. This is pure theatrical brilliance!

[@craigoliver8712]

A "wordsmith" like no other

[@savagesnayle301]

I am British, the French are just across the channel this is what we say everyday as we wake and take upon us the matters of the world.....

[@shadowjack8]

It takes my breath away. Truly these are words immortal.

[@douglasphillips5870]

I saw this with a friend when it came out, and by the end of this speech we were ready to invade France.

[@odinswolf5303]

This Birmingham lad is up for invading France lol

[@burghman8000]

Kenneth Braun is a fantastic actor and does Shakespeare so very well

[@burghman8000]

And its even better when read in middle English.

[@philldavies7940]

Are you German then?

[@shauntaylor6040]

This should be played by the BBC on the 31st but of course it won't be.

[@theexile6605]

There is no greater moment in the History of Movies!!

[@tomryan914]

You're ready to enlist !!!!!!!

[@theexile6605]

@@tomryan914 Hmmm. I actually did that in 1985, US Infantry! Probably not my wisest decision, to tell you the truth.

[@shielablige9399]

@@theexile6605 wot! you enlisted in the us infantry after listening to a speech by henry v?.......good on yer mate,well done....

[@theexile6605]

@@shielablige9399 Ha, well actually when I signed up it was before Branagh's version of Henry V later in the decade, but at the time my higher purpose in enlisting was to help stop the Soviet menace. Ironically, at the same time the Soviet Union collapsed, crypto-Marxist elites emerged throughout America and completed their takeover of the Universities, the media, and the culture and society as a whole. This has left the West even worse off than it was during the Cold War!! Cheers to you.

[@erpollock]

This scene should be shown to the cadets at West Point - and Sandhurst.

[@JohnMoore-qv4vn]

Why. It's exciting poetry but it's simply rabble rousing, a pep talk before a slaughter. Young men will always fall prey to these exhortations. This is how the elite have always 'inspired' us to do their dirt.

[@grayscribe1342]

@@JohnMoore-qv4vn True. Though it's leadership like this that sometimes has turned around what was to be a one-sided slaughter. It has shown that the odds, be they two to one or ten to one can be beaten. So never be so timid to think you have already lost because you are in a bad spot or so arrogant to think you have already won just because you have all the advantages. And that's not meant just for war, but for everything in life.

[@theexile6605]

@@JohnMoore-qv4vn Well said, but young men will often do it anyway. It's in their nature, it's how so many of them are wired. I volunteered for the US Infantry decades ago despite my parents' objections, for example. And it's not always doing the elites' dirty work, sometimes it's necessary when war is forced on you. I'm sure you can think of some fair examples of that, right?

[@kennethcrist443]

@@theexile6605 It is necessary because some elite on the other side "inspired" a bunch of young men to do their dirt. At least Henry was willing to die with his men. The politicians today who send people off to war rarely go themselves or send their children.

[@theexile6605]

@@kennethcrist443 Fair enough, I can't argue with your logic here. Well said!

[@SylviasDaddy]

That has to be the greatest pep-talk ever!

[@LTCDRRAZOR]

My chief (Chief Abbot 99) in USN bootcamp recited this to us just before we ran battle stations. Damned good man and perfect timing.

[@ajvanmarle]

This is how Henry V should be played. Get rid of that modern emo nonsense.

[@Oxtocoatl13]

Honestly I would've rated the film much higher if they included this speech instead of the boring one they wrote.

[@ajvanmarle]

@@Oxtocoatl13 Yep. Never try improve on Shakespeare. It's just not going to happen.

[@shielablige9399]

the original sir lawrence olivier far better....

[@rapaz1997]

yeah in here he is talking to the entire army, in the other one he is basically giving a pep-talk to his bros.

[@Sealdeam]

@Jude M it was even funnier that the same character appeared in the movie before that, not yet as York he was Aumale then, played by a different actor, apparently in their cannon he caught that reverse Michael Jackson skin condition between the usurpation of Bolingbroke and Agincourt.

[@sansoucci5394]

One of the greatest victories of our people in its long proud history. Henry was truly a great King.

[@markpage9886]

I don't know... Standing against Hitler, alone...was pretty amazing.

[@The_OneManCrowd]

Don't forget the thousands of innocent French civilians they murdered and raped across France before they were cornered at Agnicourt. The English committed some pretty hoffific war crimes right before this.

[@LordVader1094]

@@The_OneManCrowd That's every war. They weren't even considered crimes in war during those times

[@The_OneManCrowd]

@@LordVader1094 Soldiers murdering civilians is always a war crime, 14th century or not.

[@lohancindy5442]

I watched this before marching into the DMV to get my real ID. 5 minutes later I had it it in hand

[@theexile6605]

Ha! But that makes you one of the many, not the "happy few."

[@charlesq6097]

5 minutes! I call bullshit

[@lughiee]

"He who's bleed with me this day shall be my brother". Awesome quote

[@shielablige9399]

we few,we happy few,we band of brothers..........stirring stuff.....

[@msquaretheoriginal]

@@shielablige9399 over 400 years of inspiring soldiers into battle or players on a field

[@savagesnayle301]

Brian Blessed does not have a voice of this nation nor this world nor this solar system, Brian Blessed has a voice which spans the galaxy!

[@thecrimsonbubbles]

"we few. we happy few. WONDERSHARE TM."

[@tompalmer5986]

They'd been there two years fighting with rats for their rations, and they were getting ready to fight a force five times larger than them, and the king is acting like they're lucky. That just goes to show what a good commander can do to the heads of young boys.

[@WhiteCamry]

It also helped that the other side completely had virtually no one in charge.

[@edwardhasse9635]

Many thanks mr. Shakespeare many thanks.

[@steveosullivan5262]

From on high the 17th earl of Oxford looks down and says you are welcome. de Vere was a warrior. This was written by a warrior.

[@williamdufour4826]

Outstanding film and speech!

[@keithsmith4780]

Great music, brilliantly used. It rises, falls, and rises again with the emotion of the speeches.

[@christianpatriot7439]

Sadly, many of the men who were at Agincourt would go on to fight each other during the War of the Roses.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

Never thought about that ... .

[@WhiteCamry]

That was in 1455. This was in 1415.

[@christianpatriot7439]

@@WhiteCamry Some of the skeletal remains found at Towton were of old men who had earlier wounds that had healed.

[@stanisawptak2509]

From what I remember after Agincourt the archers (not sure about other soldiers) were rewarded with land and also freed from military duty till the rest of their lives, correct me if I'm wrong

[@christianpatriot7439]

@@stanisawptak2509 They may have been given land, but unless Henry V had replacement archers at the ready, he could not have afforded to release the veterans from service.

[@mkfloyd9131]

Brian Blessed climbed Everest and boxed with the Dali-Lama and acted in The Sweeney what a mans man, sadly as the world is on tilt some arse will not like my comment well that's OK I care not...

[@1133saginaw]

Blessed never made it to the top.

[@allanfifield8256]

So say we all!

[@paulharrison5977]

he thumbed a wild polar bear that investigated his tent and has done astronaut training

[@tomwilliams3342]

Wonderful film/play 👏👏👏

[@tuberaider]

He gave this eloquent speech, only to die of dysentery later.

[@bertiodvonrastenburger1129]

Yep sometimes life is just a pile of shit

[@shielablige9399]

yup beat those frenchies but couldn't cope with inferior castle plumbing....

[@588158]

I can scarcely watch this without weeping!

[@artm1973]

Is it the stupid subtitles that ruin it?

[@theexile6605]

@Sam Bacon Well said, good to have such a cultured person on KZbin. Though I admire Olivier of course, I prefer Branagh's version of King Harry's speech by far! Is that only my more modern sensibilities, the outstanding accompanying music, or the objective truth? I think the last. Cheers to you.

[@theexile6605]

@Sam Bacon A very fair distinction! Olivier's delivery was always peerless, true. Thanks for the tips, I liked Ian's Richard III as well. Haven't seen the Hopkins Titus Andronicus yet, will keep it in mind. Ciao.

[@theexile6605]

@Sam Bacon Interesting alteration, that's quite a thoughtful change I suppose. I will keep my eye out for the movie, thx.

[@ANKITYADAV-nv9wv]

2:26 Batman approves

[@starguy2718]

After beating the French at Agincourt, he went on to Le Mans, where Henry II (King of Ford) ordered him to lose the race.

[@jamesjennison881]

Beautiful speech !!

[@fabazabe]

In times like this we need to remember words like this. Cause every generation has their own test. Better to carried on with dignity and even with joy. Like we said here in México “Todas las luchas son la misma lucha” (every figth is the same figth)

[@jeffstone2136]

Brian Blessed could take them all on with a spoon, and win.

[@simeonalcorn3497]

I think it's "rather, proclaim it Westmoreland" rather than "Bravo, proclaim it Westmoreland" at 1:04

[@theexile6605]

You are certainly correct! I just double checked the text to be absolutely sure.

[@ronniecoleman2342]

75 hands down find their manhood cheap. You will not fight with us this day.

[@rl2905]

I can't believe this was the same guy who played Loveless in Wild Wild West...

[@davis0730]

if this doesn't make your heart swell than I'm sorry I'm not sure what will.

[@michaelgibson4705]

“Come no more gentle herald” it’s game on,we’re up for it

[@james9311]

British men have fought over hundreds of years on that land , we have paid our debt to Europe 🇬🇧

[@Delogros]

There was never a debt, including when we left the EU as British money helped build it they in fact owed us, and for liberating them 3 times.

[@patrickkealy4387]

This fictionalized account of that day prior to the actual battle is overshadowed by the fact that Henry's army beat the living daylights out of a superior French army. To this day I imagine Englishmen feel superior to the Frenchies after the humiliating defeats they were forced to suffer.

[@wheelz314]

Did I spot a young Christian Bale in the crowd?

[@colintyler1405]

You did.

[@mickymantle3233]

Now I want to go invade someplace.

[@hamarbiljungskile8953]

Go raid a pantry.

[@walesdoesntsuck6635]

That is the exact feeling I got from this

[@theexile6605]

@Sam Bacon Kudos to you for this comment however!

[@LordReactionary]

Well, as a subject of Her Majesty the French are the enemy of my blood - so yes, let's invade!

[@bellerophonchallen8861]

@@LordReactionary Ha, we'll be eating brie and croissants on the banks of the Seine by lunchtime......

[@christopermarkblunden9786]

Truely fantastic

[@bobthebuilder9553]

Incredible segment of the film. Shakespeare at his best. Kenneth Branaugh, also, at his best doing Shakespeare.

[@timshelby2324]

Best speech ever .

[@sidDkid87]

*"we are but warriors for the working day"* 💪

[@R.J._Lewis]

And yet, everybody's working for the weekend.

[@sidDkid87]

@@R.J._Lewis lol - good one - *_sláinte_* 🍻☘️

[@R.J._Lewis]

@sidDKid 87 slaínte!

[@thomasbraun200]

that's what I call motivation

[@stevetillcock7361]

Very fine cinema. Ken did a great job at keeping the cast manageable. No special fx.

[@alancat2705]

St Crispin's/Crispian day on the morrow !...

[@billcook4768]

Best. Version. Ever. But is it Branagh? Or Patrick Doyle’s amazing score?

[@mikebrown1926]

I suggest to watch the film Renaissance Man in which an American army private from the slums of New York has been taught Shakespeare and is ordered by his drill sergeant to speak something. In rain and mud, without an elegant Oxford or Cambridge upper class voice, Private Benitez in his Brooklyn accent stumbles through this speech and STILL inspires his comrades, and me, as powerfully as a Branagh or an Olivier.

[@johnkilcullen1051]

I remember that scene. It was brilliantly done.

[@elizabethp.kanizin9009]

Who shall I consider "a friend"? - Is a question that man tend to ask in the company of men.

[@davidbarfield3489]

Of course they won. Batman was on England's side. (Christian Bale in the crowd)

[@kollerbrian]

These my joints and behold the GLORIA! Amen and my best loyalty toward these men of God. As well as a man can do, Brian~Koller

[@James_Hello]

Brilliant 👏

[@irishwarlord100]

just so happens i came across this video on St. Crispin's Day XD

[@G.A.R.2002]

Arousing speech. For Warriors

[@joebombero1]

Shakespeare is amazing stuff any time of day.

[@patttrick]

Freud Ripped him off

[@tintins4021]

Shakespeare a name that will always be in history English

[@glennabate1708]

This is probably one of the best movies ever made. I don’t even want to see the knew one bc I know it won’t live up to this movie so why make another one.

[@tchoupitoulos]

Trying to decide if that French herald's demeanor is one of grudging respect for Henry's bravery, or weary disgust toward Henry's foolishness.

[@theexile6605]

Respect I believe, Montjoy learns to respect King Harry as he gets to know him -- that would be my interpretation from reading the play. But a fair question of course.

[@FieldMarshalRommel23]

Whenever I lack courage or am deeply disturbed I watch this or similar.

[@justanothergoogler6436]

Best version!

[@johnhunter2058]

Well ... he's got me sold~!

[@mopbrothers]

Mad deep speech.

[@fishyc150]

English certain defeat and offer of surrender: one of the greatest speeches ever written. American certain defeat and offer of surrender: "Nuts"

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

I was amazed to see Christian Bale as a boy in this!, I have watched it many many times and never noticed him until today. Wonderful scene, I still prefer the other but that doesnt take away from how great he was here

[@susandennett579]

Brexit , I think is time Henry came back (sorry Boris !!)

[@Mugdorna]

A foreshadowing of the speech in Iaq in 2003

[@toastrecon]

Young Christian Bale at 2:28?

[@tombradford7035]

Expected Eric Idle to appear and say, 'St Crispin's Day was yesterday guv.'

[@patrickturner6878]

Man, that speech is truly savage! "Who wishes for more men? Not the king! If they die, they are small enough numbers not to harm England, and if they win, the more glory each man can have, and the king promised them fortune and status as well ("This day shall gentle his condition.") IOW, if you live, I will make you rich. It was like 4000 Englishmen against 20,000 armored French Knights? Insane odds, a lesser King would've surrendered, of course a lesser King would not have invaded in the first place!

[@theexile6605]

The debates still rage about the numbers at Agincourt, but the British numbers were almost certainly somewhat higher. Cheers to you.

[@davidcrisell9679]

Brian Blessed in casual attire...

[@bluetv6386]

Dear old Ken seemed to think that some Hollywood style strings ( yes I know it is the BSO...) were needed to give a little punch to that little speech by that Shakespeare fellow... Wonder what Henri V had... some page playing the recorder?

[@64MDW]

If this be "toxic masculinity," we need more of it!

[@pittland44]

Damn Straight!

[@parthdatar]

Most assuredly,

[@Len0Grady]

Just as well it’s not- these are gentlemen.

[@thedemonhater7748]

Theres no toxic masculinity here. It’d be toxic if Henry started boasting about how much of a man he is, called them all pussies and than bragged about his riches and how many women he gets. Instead, Henry elevates and inspires his men to be better.

[@markpower5756]

The real Henry V was a violent killer and probably pretty toxic. This film is a bunch of London luvvie actors playing dress-up and make believe - not toxic.

[@HonoredGeneral]

The immortal Bard's speakath truth!

[@IMJW1000]

Good speech.

[@TheAlps36]

Some say the English won Agincourt because of longbows. I think this speech also had a lot to do with it

[@G.A.R.2002]

And not a snow flake to be seen, my lord. gods. speed.

[@mikie6633]

LONG LIVE THE KING!!

[@paganphil100]

Anybody know the name of the actor who plays Westmoreland (@ 0.40) ?

[@marc3981]

This makes one wonder what was ACTUALLY said by the king to rouse the force. It must have been even better than this.

[@williammartin2593]

It was optimistic like this, according to stories. But Shakespeare improved EVERYTHING.

[@terryfowler6090]

Former soldiers like me completely understand what he's saying.

[@olavops1000]

Henry gives his answer to the french envoy: French envoy: "Bloody hell , why don't these english speak plainly: The hell is going on with that language?!"

[@ankles632]

Anyone who wants to give the French a good kicking is ok in my book.

[@ankles632]

@Sam Bacon They did get the Silver medal at Waterloo. Missed out on the gold :) Apparently the vacation to Moscow deviated from the itinerary as well.

[@jayazathoth8530]

We can make jokes all day, we all know French culture is better than ours.

[@Zakster44]

Would that include the Redcoats at Yorktown? There were more French boots than American on the ground there.

[@theexile6605]

Oh come on, the French are alright. I know, some people find them annoying. But at the very least, there are other nations and cultures out there that are far more ignorant and violent!

[@theexile6605]

@Sam Bacon While your comment on Russia is well-informed, your second comment about *1940* is misleading on two counts. While I do not blame the French for crumbling against the full might of the Wehrmacht in 1940, to be fair, it was ALL and not half of France that was overwhelmingly defeated in 1940. Sure, the Free French were there to help later on and fought well with US and British equipment and support, but they were only a small fraction of the vast force arrayed against Nazi Germany by 1942 onwards that included Russians, Americans, Brits, Canadians, Poles, New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians, etc. France alone could not have defeated Nazi Germany, that is an objective fact. In WWI they needed British, Russian, and later American help to prevail (The top 4 of 5 powers in the World against one of the 5). And in 1870 the French got totally smoked by Prussia, which was smaller than the fully united modern Germany.