Timothée Chalamet stars as Henry V in Netflix’s new historical drama The King, but it is not as accurate as one might think. Netflix has been producing a number of interesting titles recently, everything from supernatural movies like The Influence, to gritty crime dramas like The Irishman. Amid such a varied crowd, The King, directed by David Michôd, definitely earns a spot high up on the list just on production value alone. The film boasts enormous cinematic landscapes and fight sequences as well as top-notch acting from the likes of Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, and Robert Pattinson. But for everything The King excels at, its lack of historical accuracy is sure to drive any historian a little crazy.
The King follows Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the wayward son of the very sick English monarch, Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn), as he stumbles among the common folk with his equally boisterous friend, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton). Prince Hal and Falstaff traipse through town unabated until one of the King’s advisors tracks them down, informing Hal of his father’s mortal illness.
It isn’t long before the reluctant Prince must take over the throne after his father’s passing, dubbed King Henry V, only to be enmeshed in a series of political affairs with little to no experience. During his coronation feast, Henry V receives an insult, disguised as a gift, from the Dauphin of France (Robert Pattinson). Henry V gives him the benefit of the doubt, but loses patience after the third affront from the Dauphin. Following his spurred pride, a need to unite his country, and a claim of blood-right to the throne, Henry V decides to invade France, meeting the Dauphin on the battlefield at Agincourt.
The Netflix adaptation of the trials and tribulations of young Hal, follows the William Shakespeare play, Henry V. As any self-respecting history buff knows, Shakespeare is hardly a good source for historical accuracy. Rather, most of Shakespeare’s history plays are loosely based on reality and augmented with the playwright’s undeniable sense of style and flair. While his version does present some truths about the English House of Lancaster, any decisive moments or character interactions are due for a fact-check.
What Netflix’s The King Changes About Henry V
The film presents Henry V as a morose youth, dedicated to being everything his father hates. Rather than learning how to be a proper royal, we see him drinking to excess in the local taverns, waking up next to different women each morning, and generally shirking any kind of princely responsibilities. The real Henry V behaved nothing like this. There is no proof of any debaucherous behavior in his youth.
He was actually heavily involved in political affairs in his father’s court. He led an army against a revolt in Wales for five years and essentially took over governmental activities as his father’s health worsened. Timothée Chalamet broods like the best of them, but unfortunately, that is not really what Prince Hal was like.
What Netflix’s The King Changes About England’s War With France
When it comes to Henry V invading France, the film shows us he was pushed into the war by the veiled ulterior motives of his advisors. After landing his armada in France, Henry V captures a nearby fort after severely damaging the walls with flaming trebuchets. He continues on the road towards the French King, only to be stopped by the Dauphin’s defending army, resulting in the English victory at the Battle of Agincourt.
The real Henry V did indeed invade France, capturing forts and towns alike, but it was because of his own political desires for power and money. He believed his claim to the French throne was legitimate, needed to unite his English kingdom against a common foe, and wanted to refill the treasury with the spoils.
What Netflix’s The King Changes About Battle of Agincourt
Likewise, the real Dauphin was nowhere near Agincourt at that time. He had been dealing with his own revolt during that year and eventually had to flee to Paris. At the time of the battle with Henry V a year later, it was reported that the Dauphin was actually with his father in Rouen, a good 95 miles away from the site.
The french army defending against Henry V’s forces was really led by the Constable of France, Charles d’Albret. Sorry to Robert Pattinson fans, but if the film stuck to reality, he would have about zero seconds of screen time.
What Happened To Henry V After The King
The King ends with the victorious Henry V returning to England and marrying the French princess, Catherine (Lily-Rose Depp). Their youth and the triumphant fanfare coming from the people leads the audience to believe Henry V and his new bride are set for a bountiful future together under a united country. However in truth, after the Battle of Agincourt, Henry V spent the next two years prepping for another war against France.
He conquered everything along his way to Paris, where he eventually signed a treaty with the French King Charles VI and then married his daughter, five years later than the film depicts. Henry V ended up fighting a third campaign in France two years after that, only to die from dysentery. Does anyone remember the Oregon Trail game?
How The King Is Different To Shakespeare’s Henriad
As Shakespeare enthusiasts know, the Henriad refers to a grouping of four plays, Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. It follows the dynastic rule of the House of Lancaster, culminating in the epic telling of how a young Henry V managed to unite England against a common foe. Compared to the Henriad, The King makes some key changes when it comes to interactions between characters. Before Henry IV dies, Prince Hal visits him on his deathbed. In an interesting show of ambition, Hal takes his father’s crown and leaves the room, thinking that he was sleeping. The King laments his actions, but Hal apologizes in grandiose fashion, securing the title when his father passes.
There is also a change to Falstaff’s character in the film. Prince Hal and Falstaff were nearly inseparable throughout the Henry IV plays, but not in Henry V. Upon his coronation, Henry V famously dismisses his friend and bans him from court. The movie instead brings Falstaff back into Henry V’s circle and uses him as main player during the Battle of Agincourt.
Netflix movies are either hit or miss, but this one was a mixture of both. For anyone that enjoys the Shakespeare plays, medieval life, and gigantic muddy battles in clunky suits of armor, this is a great movie. It is tense, it is dramatic, and Timothée Chalamet’s acting shines brightly amongst the dirt. However, if you are a stickler for historical accuracy, this movie might get under your skin. The King is an adaptation, not a documentary, and does not always hold true to the reality of the situation.
