L'invincible Armada

Original title: Fire Over England

1937
Approved
1h 32m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks, Raymond Massey, and Flora Robson in L'invincible Armada (1937)

During the reign of Elizabeth I, a young man's fervent devotion to the crown and to his sweetheart, a lady-in-waiting, lead him to battle for England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.

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Period Drama Adventure History Romance War

During the reign of Elizabeth I, a young man's fervent devotion to the crown and to his sweetheart, a lady-in-waiting, lead him to battle for England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 158... Read allDuring the reign of Elizabeth I, a young man's fervent devotion to the crown and to his sweetheart, a lady-in-waiting, lead him to battle for England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.During the reign of Elizabeth I, a young man's fervent devotion to the crown and to his sweetheart, a lady-in-waiting, lead him to battle for England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
It was while screening this movie that agent Myron Selznick saw Vivien Leigh and decided that she was Scarlett O'Hara. Coincidentally, she was in Hollywood to accompany her lover and future husband, Sir Laurence Olivier, who was making Les hauts de Hurlevent (1939), and Selznick brought her down to the Autant en emporte le vent (1939) set where the burning of Atlanta was being shot, and introduced her to his brother David O. Selznick as his Scarlett O'Hara.

Goofs
Queen Elizabeth uses a small telescope to check on the progress of her fleet against the Spanish Armada (1588). The telescope was invented in 1608, five years after her death.

Quotes
Don Pedro: You see, Elena, the whole trouble comes from treating your enemies like human beings. Don't you see, my dear, that if you do that they cease to be enemies. Think what that leads to: the end of patriotism; the end of war; it's the end of everything."

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: IN 1587 SPAIN POWERFUL IN THE OLD WORLD MASTER IN THE NEW

ITS KING PHILIP RULES BY FORCE AND FEAR

BUT SPANISH TYRANNY IS CHALLENGED BY THE FREE PEOPLE OF A LITTLE ISLAND

ENGLAND

EVERYWHERE ENGLISH TRADERS APPEAR ENGLISH SEAMEN THREATEN SPANISH SUPREMACY

A WOMAN GUIDES AND INSPIRES THEM ELIZABETH THE QUEEN.

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "FIAMME SULL'INGHILTERRA (Elisabetta d'Inghilterra, 1937) + LA REGINA ELISABETTA (1912)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in Le lion a des ailes (1939)

Soundtracks
The Spanish Lady's Love
(uncredited)
Sixteenth century English ballad by Henry Morley
Sung by Vivien Leigh
Reprised by Laurence Olivier and Tamara Desni
Reprised by Laurence Olivier at the Spanish court
Played as background music often

User reviews40

Featured review

5/10

okay costume drama

Recently I've come to realize that I often hate many costume dramas--especially because most of them are a little short on excitement and acting because they spend so much time on expensive sets and blaring music that the actors just seem secondary. I would say this is pretty true of this film, as most of the actors are kind of wooden and most of the action just isn't that action-packed. Plus, I've seen better versions of this same material. Flora Robson, who plays Queen Elizabeth in this film, also did just about the EXACT same role with a similar plot--only co-starring Errol Flynn instead of Lawrence Olivier. SEA HAWK just had a lot more to offer--better plot, more action and a spark. And, while Olivier is pleasant enough, Flynn's charisma gave the other film a little more energy. Also, the dialog is a bit stupid now and again--especially when they try to make Elizabeth seem human--in reality, she was a terrible person just like most other absolute rulers of the day. If you MUST see an Elizabethan costumer, try SEA HAWK first--it's just more bang for your buck.

PS--interestingly enough, Ms. Robson was only 35 when she took on the part of Elizabeth, though she looked about 60 in the film. I assume they just used a ton of makeup and they did a good job of passing her off as this older lady.