THE SEA HAWK
US, 1940, 127 minutes, Black and white.
Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Flora Robson, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Gilbert Roland, Henry Daniell. Una O’Connor?, William Lundigan.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
A Warner Bros. production of 1940. By this stage Michael Curtiz had directed Errol Plynn in many epic adventurse including Captain Blood, Charge of the Light Brigade. This is superb Errol Flynn heroic material. Claude Rains appears yet again as a villain. Flora Robson gives a vigorous performance as Queen Elizabeth. There is spectacular setting, good naval material, excellent black and white photography, an excellent Korngold score. This is rousing matinee material showing the quality of film-making in Hollywood of the thirties and forties.
1. Impact, enjoyment?
2. The style of the film: Warner Bros. production of the thirties, black and white photography, re-creation of acts, crowds, costumes? Musical score and its rousing nature, songs? The presentation of courtly pageant? Adventure?
3. The quality of the Elizabethen settings, Spain in the 16th century? Visual impressions, the court, ambassadors, the sea?
4. Audience presupposition about Spanish and English conflict in the 16th century? Elizabeth and her aims for England? The Spaniards presented as villains?
5. The atmosphere of the sea: the initial presentation of the ships and the attention to detail, the frequent tracking shots to give the scope of the ships, the battles? The presentation of the sea battles in their detail? The presentation of history as it was? Enhanced by heroic story telling?
6. Errol Flynn’s style as Captain Thorpe? His role as an English pirate, his working for England. for the Queen? His skill in taking ships, releasing prisoners etc.? A patriot? His place with the other captains? The attitude of the Queen, his presence in court? His attitude towards the Spaniards, Don Alvarez? The Mexico project, its details, failure, slavery, escape? His participation in final battles? Diplomacy at Elizabeth's court? Getting finally to the Queen and her approval? The romantic side of his nature and his love for Maria?
7. The portrayal of the crow, the varying personalities, their role on the ships, obedience to Captain Thorpe, heroism?
8. Claude Rains as Don Alvarez? Spaniard,villain? Political attitudes, the British court, diplomacy? His hold over Maria and her final staying behind?
9. Flora Robson's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth? Her influence in England, her attitude towards her courtiers, her strategies, attitudes to Spain? Her enjoyment of Thorpe’s company and her trust in him? Her backing of his American plan?
10. The personalities of the various courtiers and the intrigue at the Elizabethen court?
11. The detailed portrayal of heroism, sword fighting, romance?
12. The values behind this kind of production? Traditional attitudes towards good and evil, right and wrong, heroes and heroines?
