The screening of a remastered version of Laurence Olivier's 1944 masterpiece Henry V has brought back fond memories for one retired cameraman.

Norman Foley, of Hove, says the nine months he spent as first assistant cameraman on the film were among the happiest of his life.

He contacted staff at Brighton Festival after seeing an advert for the world premiere of the digitallyenhanced version of the film, which will be screened at the Brighton Dome on Monday.

Mr Foley was part of a 36-man technical crew working in Ireland at the height of the Second World War.

Ireland was neutral throughout the war and the absence of nightly blackouts and regular Luftwaffe raids made filming there more practical. The assembled cast of almost 1,000 extras, including 510 footmen and 164 horsemen, was made up of local tradesmen and farmers, all kitted out in chain mail of hand-knitted wool, wooden shields and papier-maché helmets.

Mr Foley remembers Sir Laurence as an "amiable dictator", saying: "He was a great man, you know. He knew the script backwards.

He didn't just know his own lines, he knew everyone else's lines too - what could go wrong?

"Larry was always in charge. He wasn't a great horseman though.

"I remember he did 32 takes on this one shot. He had to ride up to this sword that was stuck in the grass and lift it out and finish off the French."

He remembers the terror Sir Laurence's wife, actress Vivien Leigh, caused when she came on set. He said: "Ooh she was tough!

He used to say to me, take her out for a coffee will you, Norman?'. She was beautiful though. I've never seen such a face - like a kitten."

On its release, Henry V was the most expensive British production ever made.

It was nominated for four Oscars and won Sir Laurence an Academy Honorary Award. Sadly, Norman was less well rewarded.

Indeed, on Monday night, when the credits roll, one name will be conspicuous by its absence.

Norman has various explanations for the oversight. Not only was he uncredited but he also missed out on a pair of gold cufflinks, which were handdelivered to each credited crew member.

Norman said: "Of course, as soon as Larry found out, he apologised to me in person. As I said at the time, I would rather have an apology from Laurence Olivier than a pair of cufflinks from anyone.

"He was such a nice man. One thing I have noticed in life is the great people were all nice. Leslie Howard, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier. They were all gentlemen."

  • Did you meet Lawrence Olivier?

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