Drake of England

It is little surprise that this recreation of the Elizabethan era is virtually forgotten when you remember that both Bette Davis and Flora Robson played Elzabeth a couple of years later.Athene Seyler was a good actress but she was not on the same level as her competitor's.Furthermore Matheson Lang does not compare with the leading men of Errol Flynn and Laurence Olivier.It is also clear that this film suffers from an inadequate budget and some truly awful model work.The action scenes are lamely directed.Compare this with what Korda was producing at this time,and this comes off a poor second.It is however interesting to see what other British producers were making.Apparently one of the few surviving films of director Arthur Woods.One of those credited for photography is future director Ronald Neame.The original running time was 111 minutes which was then cut down to 104minutes.This version runs for 95minutes and is slow moving so I pity those who had to sit through the full version.The Armada at the climax is just amateurish.

A fairly solid and enjoyable patriotic movie from 1935. The film centres on a flawed hero who helped save England from invasion famously. The film has some good strengths, the costumes, the sets, the strong portrayal of the Queen. The romance element feels contrived but the plotting and intrigue gives the story some extra complexity. Drake is treated in the movie as a popular hero and celebrity but mistrusted with the court while England is menaced by a powerful Spain threatening Europe. You could make some comparisons with Fire over England but they are also quite different movies. Lovers of British history may also enjoy this movie.

As you'd expect the film builds up to the exciting climax and victory of the English navy and the celebrations which follow.