Kenneth Branagh writes, directs and stars as the eponymous king in this adaptation of Shakespeare's play. The young King Henry V of England (Branagh), his days of carousing behind him, is advised of his legal claim to the French throne by leaders of the English Church. He decides to invade the country with his small and somewhat ragtag army, taking on the massed might of King Charles VI (Paul Scofield)'s French forces who outnumber their English counterparts five to one. The cast also includes Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench, Ian Holm and Emma Thompson.