Fire Over England 1937
Directed by William K. Howard · 92 mins · 1,922 views
Synopsis
Trailers
Reviews (169)
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M
staring at vivien leigh’s beautiful face so that my brain can produce some serotonin
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L
everybody needs to rewatch this camp classic with a friend okay because if you didnt get it the first time (or second) u must change ur mind this was so funny, honestly the way vivien and larry have chemistry when they both kinda sucked at film acting is so adorable. I love the behind the scenes clip of them, they weren’t even trying to hide the affair and I love that! Ethical cheating and affair era vivlarry #FOREVER
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V
Came for Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh; stayed for Flora Robson. Her Queen Elizabeth may be the only one investing any personality into Fire Over England. For a film with such an incendiary title, you’d think it’d be more exciting, but a lot of political derring-do and historical allegorizing does almost nothing to distinguish this mild drama about genuflecting court persons in elaborate costumes.
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S
I’m not one who really goes for costume dramas and films about the “Crown,” so this film was starting off on the wrong foot for me. Toss in the fact that I’m not that crazy about Laurence Olivier and we’ve got a recipe for disaster. The film is mostly about espionage, about how King Philip II of Spain (Raymond Massey) is using British traitors as spies to garner knowledge of England’s Elizabeth I (Flora Robson). In an effort to weed out these traitors, the Queen enlists Olivier to infiltrate King Philip’s ranks. Sprinkled amongst the information gathering are two love interests for Olivier in the form of an adorable Vivien Leigh and Tamara Desni, who plays a woman married to…
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F
Flora Robson dominates. Laurence Olivier declaims. Vivien Leigh radiates. Raymond Massey fumes. Robert Newton’s eyes narrow. James Mason’s voice quavers. Much as this handsomely mounted if dramatically absurd Alexander Korda production can be retrospectively read as a call to arms (nasty Philip the surrogate for nasty Nazis), it is also a roll call of names that would conquer cinema in the coming years as comprehensively as Elizabeth routed the Armada.
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E
laurence olivier dives into the sea like a graceful otter and then washes ashore and immediately puts on balloon pants to serenade a spanish woman who teaches him what potatoes are. he kneels like a ballerina at least 72 times. he puts on a fake beard to pretend to be james mason and commits the most silly acts of espionage ever committed to film. bring back real cinema.
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C
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A
the chemistry between vivien leigh and laurence olivier is undeniable and you can tell something was brewing as the film became the catalyst for their romance. both are unbelievably pretty throughout the film! wished vivien had more screen time because she was beyond adorable
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M
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Twould reward thou film with 5 stars for dear, ethereal Vivien. Alas, thy darling twas not appearing enough for such a rating
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M
A rousing historical epic. It is the 1580s and Spain threatens England with invasion. Young privateer Michael Ingolby (Laurence Olivier) returns to the court of Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson), having escaped from Spain after the death of his father at the hands of the Inquisition. His father’s old friend Don Miguel (Robert Rendel) hid him while he recovered from his wounds. During his time at Don Miguel’s house, Michael and Don Miguel’s daughter Elena (Tamara Desni) became very fond of each other, even though Michael has a sweetheart back in England. The Queen eventually sends Michael back to Spain on a dangerous mission, to learn the names of those plotting to assassinate her. But even as he risks his…
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J
Solid historical costume drama with a stacked cast and that’s really all there is to it, Fire Over England features rising young stars Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, where their screen passion spilled over into a real life affair, beginning their tumultuous romance and subsequent marriage. The chemistry is electrifying, Olivier is hopelessly handsome and athletic here, even if he does get a bit carried away with his line delivery, whilst Leigh’s striking beauty and talent would soon be noticed. Raymond Massey, Leslie Banks, James Mason and Flora Robson all lend their stature to this spirited Elizabethan era drama and the notable names continue behind the camera too, being produced by Erich Pommer and Alexander Korda and beautifully shot by…
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L
I have now finished Viv’s filmo… it was so funny and cute and wow Larry and Viv did have chemistry actually
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F
Three Vivien Leigh movies deep into this little Pre Gone with the Wind detour and I’m realizing there’s actually a lot to dig into from her early years more than I expected. Fire Over England is probably the most famous of the bunch mostly because it’s where she and Laurence Olivier first worked together and you can absolutely see why the two of them ended up falling for each other on this set 😜😏 Whatever else you want to say…
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E
gcse aqa history, laurence and vivien, and some elizabethan propaganda
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B
Nice to see baby Larry and Viv and this starts out as a rollicking adventure, but lost my attention in the second half.
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A
too boring for me
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S
Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier have such good chemistry… I needed them on screen for the entirety of this film
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S
Laurence Olivier takes a turn at a classic quasi-swashbuckling adventure with some political intrigue and romance to decent results. He certainly is up to the task, although he does ham it up a bit now and then. The undercover segment in the back half is especially fun. It evokes films like The Eagle with Valentino. In fact this film feels very much like a Valentino silent film that was made 10 years too late. It has all the trappings of…
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J
Not a fan of LO, so didn’t really enjoy this too much. The Queen was quite good. VL was barely in it.
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M
Fire Over England is simply magnificent. The performances are exquisite, but seeing Vivien Leigh alongside Laurence Olivier elevates everything to another level. Vivien is radiant, breathtakingly beautiful as always, yet in this film she glows with a vitality and joy that is utterly captivating. There’s a life in her eyes, a spark that makes every scene she’s in shimmer, and I found myself completely enchanted. I’m on a little journey, trying to watch all of her films, and each one…
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C
Don’t have much to add to this other than saying it was a pleasant watch, but I very much enjoyed the characters, and the way Raymond Massey plays Phillip II is going in my like internal rolodex of villain archetypes, it’s very good.
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D
Laurence Olivier and a young Liz Taylor. Found the movie to be very static and staged. I did like the end of the movie that the Spanish Armada was defeated by 7 burning boats
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RRubixcubert 3 月 11, 2026
Oh yeah, I watched this yesterday. I was compelled to watch this so I can’t in good faith give it a bad rating
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E
Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh really were devastatingly beautiful weren’t they? This movie is garbage but they’re gorgeous to look at. Flora Robson was brilliant as Lizzie I, shame it wasn’t a better film.
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A
Entertaining historic baloney with a stacked cast of thesps destined for greater roles to come, and Flora Robson striding over all like a true colossus as Queen Elizabeth. Fantastic costume design but a plodding plot. The Spanish Armada sea battle lasts about a minute, minutes before the end. Olivier is a spy in Spain where no actor even attempts a Spanish accent. His escape is ridiculous. At one point he just stands still in plain sight of the pursuing guards…
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S
My King does not ask Your Grace to hang his picture but to hang his enemies. -They call it a potato, it’s kind of a fruit, it’s very rare. -Is it safe to eat? -Father’s eaten one, he says he never felt better in his life.
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T
Story about Queen Elizabeth, fighting the Spanish.
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R
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_
Fascinating cinematic artefact, with Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and James Mason all appearing before they hit their eventual heights. A dull first hour followed by a great final thirty minutes of action and rousing speeches.
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A
great buildup but was quite underwhelming from the whole vane ordeal onwards. big fan of michael and his silly action scenes i wish he was real
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♡
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J
A stately historical romance framed by patriotic urgency. The film blends espionage & melodrama with polished confidence, buoyed by the leading star power of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. While its politics are of their moment, the film’s craftsmanship and dramatic sweep are engaging. Handsome, if occasionally stiff.
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J
Great looking, but a bit goofy. There’s an all star cast led by the perfectly cast Flora Robson, but all of the political intrigue is reduced to a lot of talking and posturing. The action scenes seem lackluster, and those miniature ships aren’t fooling anyone. The costumes make up for it. This looked so promising and ended up being pretty disappointing.
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H
Yeah you can definitely see why she was chosen for gone with the wind ✨
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E
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C
The first on-screen pairing of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier (they have appeared opposite each other on the stage before), two years before Leigh became immortalized as Scarlett O’Hara. They try hard to mask the fact that they clearly didn’t have the budget they would have needed to make a convincing historical epic, but if you can look past that and enjoy the performances, there are lots of things to be appreciated here – including Flora Robson, showing yet again…
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H
Now, I watched it for Flora Robson, who essentially reprises her role as Elizabeth I in The Sea Hawk, but Alexander Korda accidentally stacked this cast: besides Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, you’ve even got James Mason in a minor, functional role that I don’t think you’d ever perceive a prefiguration of stardom in. (And, of course, Raymond Massey wasn’t “an accident,” but always a welcome presence.) I actually enjoyed Olivier in this–he’s not a natural swashbuckling hero by any…
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M
A bit too theatrical for my modern tastes but Vivien Leigh is in it, Lawrence Olivier is quite charming and the Queen is a badass
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F
leigh and olivier are excellent. love the portrayal of elizabeth I
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S
beautiful costumes and insane face cards
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M
Olivier and Leigh are both ridiculously gorgeous here and get some stunning costumes, but Flora Robson blew both their acting clear out of the water. It’s a no-brainer that she reprised the role of Elizabeth in The Sea Hawk only a few years later. What an icon.
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B
Nice sets and costumes, BORING!
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G
Young Lawrence Olivier single-handedly saves England from Spain and preserves the reign of Queen Elizabeth, all while winning the heart of not one but two fair maidens. Olivier has never been more dashing (well, perhaps in Wuthering Heights, and Vivien Leigh is radiant. But Flora Robson is the MVP; one of my favorite film portrayals of Queen Elizabeth. She’s a hoot, completely over the top — until she’s not. Released in 1937, it’s hard not to hear echoes of the…
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P
watching this before bed was a great idea because it made me so sleepy! i was really hoping to like this film, but it was unfortunately very dull. only watched this for vivien but she sadly didn’t have many scenes… 💔
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𓄀
a charming romantic historical drama that you’re really glad isn’t 3 hours long. the songs were cute
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F
i truly don’t get letterboxd members because this was absolutely beautiful (and i’ll watch anything with laurence olivier (and or) vivien leigh)
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L
Tbf this isn’t that good but viv and oliviers chemsistry is so good even tho they had so little screentime
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N
I appreciate that it only lasts 90 minutes because I think it is fair and necessary for what you want to tell although it hurts me that the romantic subplot of Laurence and Vivien is so short
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R
The drums were beating in 1937, teeing-up Britain for planned war. Despite pitching 16th Century England against Spain (the “free people of a little island” v. ‘fear, force and tyranny’), this clearly interchanges the growing might of the Armada for the growing might of the Wehrmacht; fire ships on the sea for a Blitzkrieg in the skies over England. Who knew… If parallels be drawn then the contemporary conflict then wrecking Spain would have been more apposite. But no, it had…
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C
love me some english propaganda
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Q
Flora Robson was a pretty Good ELizabeth I and of course Vivien and Laurence were perfect.
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Z
. ݁⋆ ꫂ᭪ ݁˖ . ݁Soft Glance Back . ݁⋆ ꫂ᭪ ݁˖ . ݁ ⋆˙⟡Watching Fire Over England felt like stepping into a dreamy version of history , part truth, part romance, and part imagination. The most surprising thing for me was how deeply I disliked the Queen’s character. Something about her coldness and pride made every scene with her feel a little heavy. She wasn’t just unlikeable , she drained the warmth right out of the screen.ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖…
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R
I hateeeee a completely fictional main character in a historical drama + the fact that the execution of Mary of Scots was talked about for like .2 seconds and then never spoken of again is crazy to me
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P
A retelling of the doomed Spanish Armada invasion of England in 1588 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, played by Flora Robson. She was so impressive as Queen Elizabeth that she got to play the role again a few years later in The Sea Hawk starring Errol Flynn. The Sea Hawk is basically a remake of Fire Over England. Ultimately the film is most notable for providing the first pairing of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.
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E
Intermittently fun, but nothing special. Pretty typical Tudor myth-making. Good acting and some very strong set-piece scenes. Feels a lot longer than it is.
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S
vivien is so stunningly beautiful in this film, it’s absurd. and seeing her and larry together at the beginning of their relationship is pretty cute. but i stopped paying attention every time she wasn’t onscreen because i simply do nawt care about this england vs spain, protestant vs catholic, colonizer-on-colonizer violence. what a snooze.
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E
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P
“Things are looking pretty scary over there. And something’s missing over here. Something we’ll need if we have to go to war again. The old patriotism got run into the ground in the trenches. I’m trying to put my finger on it. It’s . . . it’s . . . Queen Elizabeth!—being doughty and making stirring pronouncements!” Flora Robson’s Elizabeth transcended the mostly silly script (and a paste nose that varied in size and unattractiveness from scene to scene), as…
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G
Spectacular-looking chronicle of English stout-heartedness in the face of German, er, Spanish treachery and aggression and the destruction of the Armada by Laurence Olivier, et. al. Coming on the eve of the Second World War the analogy was unmistakable and fortunately to be replicated in a fashion in the air a few years later. While much of the visual appeal arrives in the form of Larry and his bride-to-be Vivien Leigh, it is really the production design as captured by…
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B
“See what happens when you start treating your enemies like human beings? It’s the end of patriotism! The end of war!” I watched this film for Lawrence Olivier and Vivian Leigh- and while they did not disappoint, I was most impressed by Flora Robson’s Queen Elizabeth I. Her performance was a wonderful study of an aging, but fearless monarch, able to command respect from the men surrounding her. “I know I have the body of a feeble woman, but I…
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V
Well-acted but intermittently sluggish, “Fire Over England” is a lavish spectacle that can be entertaining when its pacing is right.
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A
This was a historical drama that focuses on relations between England and Spain during the Elizabethan era. I expected Sir Francis Drake to be in this movie but he’s merely mentioned and we mainly focus on our fictional hero, Michael who returns to Spain, after being held captive there previously, to help intercept plans to assassinate the Queen. Or something like that. Drama ensues. Michael is played by Laurence Olivier who looks to be a big deal but I’ve never…
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J
That they didn’t even put Francis Drake in as a cameo, despite being mentioned multiple times, is astonishing, especially in a nationalistic “huzzah” film such as this.
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AAves 4 月 28, 2025
Happy celebratory “I finished the play that was killing me” Vivien Leigh movie to you and yours. If I incentivize myself with a Waterloo Bridge rewatch I may even edit it into fighting shape. “Everyone has a right to be happy – that’s why we can’t be”. Woof. I will not deny being susceptible to pretty words.
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T
flora robson was very good. i wish there were more roles for women over 35 that weren’t maids or mothers. even now. sigh. i miss when men wore eyeliner in movies.
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S
little larry olivier running around in that cape and knee high boots… i cheered!
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A
qué preciosidad de vestuario … qué belleza de pareja … vivien leigh y laurence olivier son eternos !!! –i had forgotten. –me? –that you were so beautiful. –i too had forgotten. –me? –that you were so tall.
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F
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S
it is a great film indeed for its time It represents well the weight and what is around a monarch, not having the character more focused but rather showing well the time it took to send and receive messages
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W
What a film. Some wonderful direction and cinematography matched with a great script. Olivier is brilliant as the naive Michael who is eventually transformed into the film’s swashbuckling hero. Flora Robson is majestic as Elizabeth I and her performance as Elizabeth is one of the best I’ve seen, capturing the sense of purpose and duty with the humour and quick wittedness that made her such a survivor. A film that is just joyful to watch and a real 30s gem. Did find Burghley and Leicester’s “You can’t mean Drake’s raid on Cadiz” “I do mean Drake’s raid on Cadiz” exchange unintentionally amusing though.
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J
Typical prestigious British production. Well made, lots of acting greats, but rather dull. Dame Flora Robson does well (as have many before and since) as Elizabeth I.
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S
baby viv is so cute here and it’s fun seeing her with olivier knowing this is when their affair started. but otherwise this is mostly a bore. the typical pre-wwii rah rah england patriotism doesn’t exactly hit for me and the elizabeth i vs. the spanish armada story has been done to death.
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L
This is a decent UK costume drama set during the reign of Elizabeth I, though the most impressive thing about it is easily the powerhouse cast. With names like Laurence Olivier, Flora Robson, Raymond Massey, Vivian Leigh, Leslie Banks, and James Mason, expectations are naturally high. Unfortunately, the film is a bit uneven, particularly when it comes to the climactic moments, which the production struggled to nail. Laurence Olivier’s performance is all over the map. At times, he brings the…
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C
A period piece set in the times of Elizabeth I and The Spanish Armada. Much to do with the politics of the era, but our hero ‘Michael’ played by a quite young Olivier is saved from execution by the Inquisition, returns to England and is sent on an equally dangerous mission to learn the names of traitors at the English court and state of the Armada. Sort of a methodical story, not too much action and more a character piece akin to a Shakespearean play.
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I won’t lie, I have watched this purely for Viv and Larry… the two had very little screen time but that’s fine – I ended up actually somewhat liking the film. The gowns look so good and make me wish this was filmed in colour just to get to see them in more detail.
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D
A solid historical drama.
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A
Elizabeth has no chill
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F
Good!
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L
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From Cohen Media Group & BFI & Erich Pommer Productions & Alexander Korda comes a historical period picture directed by William K Howard. It 🌟 s the great Laurence Olivier Vivian Leigh Raymond Massey & a very young James Mason. They’re the fuel that makes this rom-dram go. Awesome popcorn movie 🍿👍😎
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R
I really liked Olivier’s spy on a mission persona, that was entertaining
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K
“i do but seek some merciful corner to cry in” same girl, same. larry and viv are so breathtaking and in love in this
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Mmycokefromcuba 9 月 14, 2024
Cry here
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H
Tentando ver todos os filmes com a Vivien Leigh. Ela é simplesmente o ser humano mais talentoso, tratando-se de atuação no cinema, e com mais presença em cena que eu já vi. Ninguém faz o que essa mulher fazia. Minha atriz favorita de todos os tempos. Claro que nesse filme ela tem um papel menor e foi um dos primeiros trabalhos dela, mas, mesmo assim, ela continua sendo fascinante. Eu nunca entendi como o Laurence Olivier tinha coragem de trabalhar…
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T
Had to rewatch the second half because I literally fell asleep 40m in. If that tells you how much I enjoyed this.
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D
apart from being propaganda its an actually well made film. im glad its been restored
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S
Dull and not enough Vivien Leigh.
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K
Scavenger Hunt #113 – Prompt #24: Watch a film with an element reflected in the title which, according to Pokémon rules, would be super effective against the element reflected in the title for Prompt #23. I enjoy films about the royals. I enjoy the costumes, the politics, the scandals. Fire Over England is a solid effort from the 1930s. The cast is absolutely stacked, and the real-life romance between Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh gives this film a fun “Making Of” story as well. It’s not the best film about the royals, but it’s worth a watch.
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okay movie, a little boring and as someone who only watched it for vivien, there wasn’t enough of her (but she’s beautiful and a delight to watch as per usual throughout the early years of her career). as much as i don’t care for him, her palpable chemistry with larry was the highlight, as well as flora robson’s performance
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S
A fine historical drama and a nice little reminder of that time the Spanish got all cocky and came for England and we beat ’em. Has a bunch of issues but hits the high points when it’s needed most. Some insanely good lighting. Mostly inspired to watch this cause of England getting to the final of Euro 2024 and wanted to add a nice historical physical & existential mental image of victory over the Spanish, Olivier is pure charisma here and all his scenes smoulder. Flora Robson has a great presence.
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C
67 sometimes a feverish man only needs to see a little peepaw (laurence olivier) singing and yapping about his peepaw interests and deep hatred for spain.
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M
Fine this movie is stacked, but byoung Laurence olivier screaming and crying sounds woefully squeaky everything felt new and sterile, and the costumes were pretty avant garde for hat they were supposed to be also This phillip the second is so evil omg proper marvel villan takes a while to get there but he’s so cool should’ve won in the end
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T
1937 Marathon: Film #1 “I give my life to England—and to you.” Which is a poetic way of saying, “Let’s mix national security with romantic pining and see what happens.” This one’s got spies, ships, and speeches about duty delivered with the kind of intensity usually reserved for Shakespeare auditions. The wigs are tall, the loyalties questionable, and the Spanish Armada looms like a very punctual history exam. Laurence Olivier swashes his buckles while Flora Robson gives Queen Elizabeth the…
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J
The Viv & Larry scenes are sadly few and far between, but they’re the real fire here. Still, Flora Robson gives us a stern and imperious Elizabeth I and look out for James Mason in the early scenes before he gets the chop.
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DDelia 6 月 4, 2024
RW in 2021. Kind of dull period romp.
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S
You don’t see this kind of sincerity in films anymore. I feel like every generation of films gets less sincere and more realistic. Old school cinematography, by which I mean they point a camera at something and let that something move through the frame. Camera movement feels like a big deal at this time, so they don’t use it as much. it feels a little flat. Fun 1930s take on Renaissance fashion.
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W
competently made , an excellent early outing for cinema greats in Olivier and Leigh flora robson is the best part of this tho – make no mistake
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“The whole trouble comes from treating your enemies like human beings. Don’t you see, My Dear that if you do they cease to be enemies? You think what that leads to. It’s the end of patriotism. It’s the end of war. It’s the end of everything.” It’s shaping up to be quite a week for films about English history. Victorian England is up next tomorrow with Emily Blunt’s Young Victoria (2009) on my itinerary. I’ve also been watching Michael Hirst’s Vikings…
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M
A lot more drama than I expected based on the low reviews, but that’s exactly why I enjoyed it!
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T
Un drama de epoca pasable por no decir aburrido. La primera vez que aparecen Olivier y Vivien Leigh en pantalla, aunque lo que más destaca de la peli son los vestuarios.
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85/100 Reading through other reviews, it’s a wildly unpopular opinion to rate this film so high, but I don’t care, I loved it and it deserves an 85/100. If you’re watching for Viv and Larry you’re gonna be disappointed because they have maybe 5 minutes screen time together total but damn do they maximize those 5 minutes! Their classical stage training really shines through here, and same goes for the rest of the cast! Excellent dramatic acting from everyone, and…
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J
some of the worst ships i’ve ever seen CHRIST
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K
This might be the youngest that I ever see Leigh, or Olivier for that matter. This – similar to Captain Blood – was watched for the female, yet the lead was the male. This was Olivier’s film and he did well. I enjoy the sentence structure and vocabulary of movies like this the most. And the Queen was incredibly quick witted. Leigh is just a darling, as she is in every movie. Compelling story about an English spy attempting to manipulate Spanish war efforts in the 14th century. Oh and I really liked he song too- : A Spanish Lady 43 first time watches until CLEOPATRA!
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R
A tad airless but I could see myself growing quite fond of this with further viewings. This is exactly the kind of cornerstone film Laurence Olivier would go on to enjoy making himself through the decades, it’s an oldschool rousing roadshow tour picture that doesn’t skimp on the telling of history and has something for everyone, from lavish pomp to seafaring swashbuckle to sly espionage to tangled passion. This is nowadays more known for being the film where Vivien & Laurence…
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L
Came for Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier being young and hot and beginning their real-life affair while making this movie, stayed for Flora Robson’s incredibly powerful and magnificently regal portrayal of Elizabeth I. She shows us the majesty and the vulnerability of the monarch in equal measure.
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M
Enjoyable old movie mostly staring Laurence Olivier. Also has a supporting role from Viviene Leigh as her normal adorable self. Laurence did okay, but over acts like he is on a stage in this one, though he is still enjoyable enough.
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O
Counting tubi 100 2024 37 I think this had a lot of good court intrigue and good politicking, but when we got to the climax it kinda slipped up. It had some grand spectacle but I feel like it didn’t quite connect to the rest of the movie. Flora Robson put in a great performance.
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M
A very odd propaganda movie that gets a lot done thanks to some James Wong Howe cinematography, some fun sets, and a great performance from the woman who played Elizabeth. A little James Mason makes up for a lot of Olivier. The costumes are also good.
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R
Uber patriotic production full of stiff upper lips and huzzas for the Queen under the shadow of Spain, as allegory for Germany. Rotten Tomatoes is right – 52%. The acting is stagey but Vivian Leigh and Laurence Olivier are like the Angelina and Brad of their day.
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D
i just wish the rest of this was as good as its costumes and flora robson’s performance
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F
Not nearly enough Vivian Leigh and Lawrence Olivier screen time😭😭 they have so much chemistry! Shame it’s all about Queen Elizabeth I cuz that parts hella boring
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R
I’m just here for Vivien Leigh And I still don’t get the hype for Olivier.
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F
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M
not nearly enough viv at all but. happy heavenly birthday to my beloved vivien! 💖
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S
It’s very interesting how you can tell this picture is from the late 30s for how it works as propaganda for the ” good and powerful ” England, at a time were they found themselves admist the eruption of the WWII. Ps. The costumes and sets are really pretty, it makes me wish this had been filmed in color.
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N
A fusty and largely redundant historical drama about Elizabeth I.
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A
Lofty thesp Olivier right at the peak of his big screen smoldering heart-throb look here but still managing to turn in an abysmal performance and come across as a simpering glass of cold piss any sane person would want to punch in the face. Meanwhile, true star Flora Robson is acting in a much better film several screens away.
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F
The farewell scene between Michael and Cynthia in the presence of the Queen was otherworldly.
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J
Flora Robinson was just 35 when she played Queen Elizabeth I here. She’s loads more interesting than anyone else in the film, although given the level of jingoistic monarchism has the least need to do anything.
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D
“We shall shortly have a famous victory!” Some great acting, but this is super overdramatic and stuffy by today’s standards. This whole thing is about war but it dedicates almost zero screen time to it. Can definitely seen some influence on the Queen Elizabeth scenes in Michael Curtiz’s The Sea Hawk a couple years later though, so that’s cool.
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M
This isn’t a badly-made film. It’s got decent action sequences, good costuming, good set design (mostly), and decent acting. But as big and bold as this is supposed to be, it really doesn’t feel like it is. And as earnest as everyone in here is, it’s hard to really feel any sense of impact from all of it. I mean, they are on the verge of war, with spies going back and forth. There should be some sense of gravity.…
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I
absolutely terrible film but vivien leigh and laurence olivier have sizzling chemistry while dressed in gorgeous costumes
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I
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England goes to war with Spain. The lead here is technically Flora Robson who plays Queen Elizabeth I and she is magnificent. Every scene she is in, she commands the screen and you pay attention. However, the main interest here is the fictitious romance between the characters played by a young Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh who became lovers in real life. Plus this film helped Vivien Leigh clinch her Hollywood breakout role…
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H
Robson and Leigh are great, and Olivier is OK albeit a little over the top. I just think that a little more excitement could have been injected into it here and there – it has the premise of a spy movie, so does it really have to have quite so much stuffiness?
3 -
M
The film that sparked an on-set affair between Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh that spawned one of the great Hollywood power couples. A pity that none of that fiery passion comes across onscreen. James Mason is in here somewhere but I was so checked out I didn’t even notice him, you’ve really fucked up if I’m not immediately pointing at the screen Rick Dalton-style at the sight of James Mason.
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B
On a whim, the way I watch most of the films I do, I decided to watch a classic period piece and came up with this. This very battle and the plot to kill the Queen was something I was discussing earlier in the day, so this seemed perfect. Plus it has actors such as Lauraunce Olivier and Vivien Leigh in. Although the latter’s role was more supporting, with the star of the film being Flora Robson, as Queen Elizabeth…
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L
When King Phillip of Spain says “I lived a year with Englishmen. I hated every one of them”, it’s hard to disagree with him. Flora Robson cuts an impressive figure as Queen Elizabeth (the original and the best) and delivers plenty of charm. Laurence Olivier does pretty well when asked to perform subtly but blows it pretty badly in a couple of more boldly emotional moments. How incredible it can be when a film has sets and extras. There must…
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S
Olivier and Leigh are the big name draws, but it’s Robson as QE that gets the best lines.
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G
You’d hope that a Laurence Olivier period peace would be cooler, it not just not that cool. Laurence is still good as always however its just poor pacing and boring. then again thats what youd expect from a movie of this calibre. overall probs dont go out of your way to watch this.
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E
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B
stodgy period drama which, despite lots of pitched battles, expensive effects, and clearly sumptuous production overall, is kinda dull. james wong howe’s cinematography was next level, as usual.
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F
Romantic melodrama commingles with Elizabethan political intrigue. The first event presented to us is Vivien Leigh as a lady in waiting fluttering around the palace looking for Queen Elizabeth’s missing pearl. This opening is a bit tonally misleading, but it does let us know right away that this is not going to be a heavy history lesson. Flora Robson is imposing and sympathetic as she parades around in elaborate costumes, but the real joy comes from a very young Laurence…
1 -
L
tbh i barely paid attention to the plot (school history kinda stuff) but miss queenie was cool af. mainly watched it for viv and larry. queen vivien slayed and looked so cool in her outfits. loved her. larry’s makeup was great (he had more than viv i stg). he acted rlly well and obviously was super hot throughout. okay film (of the parts i acc paid attention to). vivien leigh
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L
I really enjoyed this thirties British historical film. Set at the time Protestant England was at war with Catholic Spain and the threat of the Armada was growing closer and closer. With a terrific performance by Flora Robson as Elizabeth I. I have never understood why she was not better known or raised to A list stardom. She was a superb actress but was probably not beautiful enough. The beautiful people in this film were Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.…
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T
“How small we are, how wretched and defenceless.” “It’s a war of ideas…you can’t burn ideas.” It is the 1580s and Philip II rules “by fear”. “Spanish tyranny” is opposed only by the “free people of a little island”, England. It is the late 1930s and war with Hitler looms. You can see the comparisons fro ma mile away. However, despite the Spanish characters with English accents and the revisions to historical fact, Fire Over England impresses by the strength…
1 -
T
Uma das histórias que não sei se é verdade sobre a primeira Elizabeth, estrelado por Vivien Leigh mostrava como era tempos antigos da realeza, que as brigas eram intensas e batalhas tinham que ser enfrentadas, e digo mais essas eram as verdadeiras feministas pois tinham que defender seu país praticamente sozinha, em questão de gerência. Entre vai e voltas, e muita conspiração tem-se um fim aceitável como todas as histórias, assisti pelo YouTube que tem muito desses filmes antigos, e…
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K
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N
Vivien Leigh box set. Queen Elizabeth vs. Spain. First movie with Olivier and Leigh.
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N
I got this movie due to Laurence Oliver and Vivian Leigh. But the show is completely stolen by the Queen of England and the King of Spain. Both bring immediate presence to the screen that cannot be matched by anyone else on the cast. A very good movie that feels like it evolved from the theatre without missing a beat.
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D
Two years before Michael Curtiz’s film with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn, Alexander Korda produced this film in England with many actors who were then very famous or would soon be. Good. The sets are slightly cheap, the victory of the English over the Spanish armada described in 5 minutes and the whole thing is a bit theatrical. But let’s admire Flora Robson, royal as Elizabeth I. Almost forgotten already.
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G
A build upto to the Spanish armada invasion of England set mainly in the queen’s court. The cast is made up of some movie legends , some that were just becoming famous and others that were destined to. Flora Robson plays Queen Elizabeth with a firm grip on power, in her court is the wonderful Vivien Leigh and there’s plenty of chasers and political double dealing going on as the threat of war with Spain looms nearer. Pretty good quality…
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P
despite its impressive cast and Queen Elizabeth’s incredible costuming I couldn’t get into this one. another pre WWII “war is for fools but its great when our side wins” plot. a lot of saber rattling and celebrations over submitting to a benevolent monarch for the good of a righteous nation. probably made sense in 1937, a bit of dull propaganda today.
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M
I really wanted to love this boring drama with gorgeous costumes, but it could have used another hour of the Oliviers falling in love onscreen because that’s what we’re all here for
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J
Didn’t interest me. Got a lot better in the second half but still always felt a little aimless. Would probably give an extra star if the restoration I was viewing was better. I almost turned it off halfway through- but I’m glad I finished it if only for a chance to see some early Olivier in a period piece.
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B
This movie has become my comfort movie 🙂
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D
Takes longer than it should to get going, but once it does this is good stuff. Considering it’s 85 years old, there’s plenty here that still holds up, and though I wasn’t familiar with Flora Robson prior to watching this, her Elizabeth I is as good as any of the greats who have donned that red wig and corset since.
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C
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A
Quite dull film, but short! with a good performance by Flora Robson as Elizabeth I, albeit one that requires a lot of speeches. Interesting to see a relatively early lead performance from Olivier. Clear that Vivian had Viv.
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K
Flora Robson is captivating in this as Queen Elizabeth I of England. She moves gracefully and delivers her dialogue with measured authority. And she is looks like she could be Elizabeth. But, this isn’t really a story about her or even about the 1588 attack on England by the Spanish Armada (though we see several minutes of naval battles in this movie). Rather, this movie is more focused on a bit of a romantic triangle between characters played by Vivien…
5 -
C
you can tell that olivier and leigh started their affair during this movie, oh my god is their chemistry electric
1 -
C
If anyone ever doubted the kind of actor Laurence Olivier was going to become, then they need only watch this and it is as plain as the nose on his handsome young face. Here, though, his over-acting (and singing) in the role of the enthusiastic “Michael Ingleby” rather badly dates an otherwise quite entertaining recounting of the machinations leading up build up to the Spanish Armada’s attempt to invade Elizabethan England. Flora Robson always did carry off the role of…
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EEric 2 月 18, 2022
Lavish B&W costume drama for 1937 of the Spanish war in 1588. First pairing of Lawrence Olivier and Vivian Leigh. This role convinced Selznick to cast Leigh in “Gone with the Wind.” The real stand out is Flora Robson who shines as Queen Elizabeth I. The sets or matte paintings of sets are huge. And the costumes are amazing. Smart dialog but plot is boilerplate. Some okay ship battles using impressive model ships special effects. Olivier is smoldering. Also very…
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L
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S
Dated, patriotic fayre, with some great, stirring speeches amongst all the bloodless battles and mannered acting.
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S
BFI mr korda 1586 Spain King Philip Blackadder is immediately springing to mind good grief mr mason’s legs I still recognised his voice first though I presume the overacting arsehole is Lawrence Olivier QEI nah not impressed huge farthingale though el draco (harry potter anyone ?) wholly smoke ship models (almost convincing) and action stations well swashle my buckle no one expects the Spanish inquisition barking dawggies insolence not sure what’s going on there ruff the dawggies have been spending…
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B
Queen Elizabeth sends Laurence Olivier to spy on Spain and help defeat the Spanish Armada. The story isn’t all that interesting, and it’s full of “England is awesome” patriotism. The sets are ridiculously huge and clean, and the costumes even more pristine. It’s dull pageantry, and the main reason to see is the distractingly handsome Olivier with his future wife Vivien Leigh, who has a thankless role as a “pretty girl.” Olivier is full of fiery passion, but he hasn’t…
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A
Elizabeth I sends Larry Olivier on a secret mission to the court of King Philip in an attempt to defeat the Spanish Armada that’s poised to invade Blighty. Flag-waving Alexander Korda production is bolstered by some fine British actors doing their best with the material, including James Mason wearing a pointy 16th Century beard.
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J
As someone who met Flora Robson through her miserable, Oscar-nominated turn in Saratoga Trunk, it was really gratifying to watch her own this mostly-okay film with a pretty great turn as Queen Elizabeth.
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S
Uneven and a little boring costume drama.
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L
O filme é bastante ufanista, ainda que retrate a rainha Elizabeth com uma personalidade com fortes traços de “pessoas comuns”, o que eu achei interessante. É uma boa trama, bem roteirizada, mesmo parecendo apressada algumas vezes. Funciona razoavelmente como romance e como filme de guerra.
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J
Very enjoyable, well mounted production. Flora Robson was terrific as Queen Elizabeth. James Wong Howe’s photography another highlight.
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G
有些地方带着点儿老电影的浮夸，故事比较稀松，年轻时的费雯丽和奥利佛的确是一对璧人，镜头拉进费雯丽的脸的时候真是让人难以呼吸，她的脸简直就是masterpiece啊~~~
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F
Les scènes d’amour de Leigh et Oliver sont empreintes d’un naturel et d’une tendresse enchanteurs dans cette aventure épique et flamboyante.
- Synopsis
- In 1588, relations between Spain and England are at the breaking point. With the support of Queen Elizabeth I, British sea raiders such as Sir Francis Drake regularly capture Spanish merchantmen, bringing gold from the New World.
- Director
- William K. Howard
- Writer
- Clemence Dane, Sergei Nolbandov
- Studio
- London Films Productions
- Country
- UK
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1937
- Runtime
- 92 mins
- USA08 Jan 1937
- UK25 Feb 1937
- USA05 Mar 1937
- Germany27 May 1981
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