2003 Talk About Movies
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Contents © 2003
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

TALK ABOUT MOVIES
July/August 2003

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Directed by Orson Welles. Starring Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Keith Baxter. 115 minutes, Black & White, Spain/Switzerland, English. Available at Kensington Video.

Ernie: Falstaff and Henry are living essentially the same life until the war of rebellion comes. Falstaff goes and plays the coward the whole time, and even lies about having killed Percy in order to gain advancement. Henry, even though his life is dissolute, hears the call of duty and rises to the occasion. As far as I can tell, though, it's just royal blood that keeps him from becoming what Falstaff is.

Matthew: Although he does keep his distance by his incessant cruelty toward Falstaff.

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Matthew: Falstaff sees the world aright. He has no use for honor because he doesn't think there is such a thing. Henry wants to gain honor by suddenly throwing off his dissolute life. The king is worried about his reputation once rotten Henry ascends to the throne. But we're all knaves; some of us just dress it up more finely. Falstaff sees lies everywhere, and even though he's the prince of lies, he's right. King Henry IV is full of lofty pronouncements....

Ernie: ...But he has to ask God to forgive him the manner of his gaining the crown.

Matthew: Nobody is really good, that's why Falstaff says, "Banish plump Jack, and banish all the world."