Director: Gregory Doran
Where the Dromgoole version Falstaff is more the power/authority figure in much of the banter in the first half of the play, in this version, the power/authority figure is Prince Hal and the beginning of the play this power/authority is definitely used for fun, games, jest, jokes, drinking, and being lord of fun.
While Dromgoole's version shows good back and forth banter, I think this version might have the best post-robbery version of Falstaff's tale. The play within a play is humorous to the end. Even the "I do. I will" line while delivered serious--and can be seen as genuine--there are no serious ripples for its expressing, at least not immediately.
The confrontation between Prince Hal and his father had a Prince Hal that was much more humble and a father who was much closer to tears at his dismay than other versions (so far).
The fight between Prince Hal and Hotspur was less a carrying out of resolve for Prince Hal. It was more a growing up epiphany to have faced the death of someone who had always been praised.
Finally, the conflict--the age-old conflict--between King Henry and Hotspur's father and uncle was much clearer, more pronounced. It is much clearer in this version the tragedy that a disagreement between two men (leaders, older generation) would result in the deaths of so many who were not a directly a part of the heart of the quarrel.
This film does have a live audience present in a deep-thrust stage. I liked this performance. I enjoyed how Falstaff was portrayed, and it was nice to see other viable options for the other characters taken up.
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