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Ancient Pistol

Ancient Pistol
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Ancient Pistol is a swaggering soldier who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare. Though full of grandiose boasts about his prowess, he is essentially a coward. The character is introduced in Henry IV, part 2 and reappears in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V.

The character's first name is never given. He is referred to as Falstaff's "ancient", meaning "ensign", or standard bearer.

Best films

Henry V
Henry V
(1989)

Played by the actors

Robert Stephens
Robert Stephens
(1 films)
Paul Ritter
Paul Ritter
(1 films)
Robert Newton
Robert Newton
(1 films)
Michael Aldridge
Michael Aldridge
(1 films)
See more : Wikipedia

Filmography of Ancient Pistol (4 films)

Display filmography as list
Henry V
Henry V (1989)
, 2h17
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, War, Biography, Action, Historical, Romance
Themes Théâtre, Political films, Films based on plays, Films based on works by William Shakespeare, Films about royalty
Actors Paul Scofield, Kenneth Branagh, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, Alec McCowen, Simon Shepherd
Rating74% 3.7477353.7477353.7477353.7477353.747735
The film begins with Chorus, in this case a person in modern dress, introducing the subject of the play. He is walking through an empty film studio and ends his monologue by opening the doors to begin the main action. Chorus reappears several times during the film, his speeches helping to explain and progress the action.
Chimes at Midnight
Chimes at Midnight (1965)
, 1h55
Directed by Orson Welles
Origin Espagne
Genres Drama, War, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Historical
Themes Political films, Films based on plays, Films based on works by William Shakespeare, Films about royalty
Actors Orson Welles, Keith Baxter, John Gielgud, Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, Marina Vlady
Rating75% 3.7938653.7938653.7938653.7938653.793865
The film opens with Sir John Falstaff and Justice Shallow walking through the snow, then to a warm fire inside the Boar's Head Tavern as the two reminisce. After a main credit sequence, the narrator explains that King Henry IV of England has succeeded Richard II, whom he had killed. Richard II's true heir, Edmund Mortimer, is a prisoner in Wales, and Mortimer's cousins Northumberland, Worcester and Northumberland's son Hotspur demand that Henry rescue Mortimer. Henry refuses and Northumberland, Worcester and Hotspur begin to plot his overthrow.
Henry V
Henry V (1944)
, 2h17
Directed by Laurence Olivier, John Paddy Carstairs
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, War, Action, Historical
Themes Théâtre, Political films, Films based on plays, Films based on works by William Shakespeare, Films about royalty
Actors Laurence Olivier, Renée Asherson, Ralph Truman, Robert Helpmann, Robert Newton, Leslie Banks
Rating69% 3.4959553.4959553.4959553.4959553.495955
We see a panorama of London in 1600 and travel to the Globe Theatre where the audience is being seated. The Chorus (Leslie Banks) enters and implores the audience to use their imagination to visualise the setting of the play. We then see, up on a balcony, two clergymen, The Archbishop of Canterbury (Felix Aylmer), and the Bishop of Ely (Robert Helpmann) discussing the current affairs of state. Henry (Laurence Olivier) then enters, and discusses with his nobles the state of France. A gift is delivered to Henry from the French Dauphin. The gift turns out to be tennis balls, a jibe at Henry's youth and inexperience. Offended, Henry sends the French ambassador away, and prepares to claim the French throne, a throne that he believes is rightfully his.