SEVEN SEAS TO CALAIS (IL DOMINATORE DEI SETTE MARI)

Italy, 1962, 102 minutes, Colour.
Rod Taylor, Keith Michell, Edy Vessel, Mario Girotti (Terence Hill), Basil Dignam, Anthony Dawson, Irene Worth.
Directed by Rudolph Mate and Primo Zeglio.

Seven Seas to Calais is matinee material, produced in Italy at the period of sword and sandals epics. Rod Taylor appears as Sir Francis Drake, Irene Worth as Queen Elizabeth, Basil Dignam as Sir Francis Walsingham. Keith Michell has the role of the hero, Malcolm Marsh.

The film is an action adventure, Francis Drake and his expedition to the New World, stealing gold from the Spaniards, clashing with the Spaniards, returning to England to protect Queen Elizabeth from the spies at her court.

The film is not a classic – much more matinee-style material, undemanding.

The film was directed by cinematographer Rudolph Mate who had photographed such classics as Dreyer’s Vampyr. He began to direct in Hollywood in the late 1940s and made a number of action adventures, The Black Shield of Falworth, Siege at Red River as well as the drama Miracle in the Rain. This was his last film.

1. How enjoyable an adventure was this? For what audience was it made? What age?

2. How successful an adventure was this? Matinee excitement? The characteristics and quality of matinee adventure?

3. How well did the film blend adventure and history? How important was the history? People's knowledge of Drake and Elizabeth? Theri response to Drake and Elizabeth?

4. How well portrayed was the character of Drake? The portrayal of his background of sailor? Pirate, the search for gold? his being used by Elizabeth? His capacity for exploration and adventure? The importance of his role in the mutiny? His skill as a sailor in the calm, confronting the Spaniards, the search for gold? The success of his mission and his still being used by the Queen? His knighthood? The drama of his saving Elizabeth from assassination? The portrayal of his role against the Armada: The sequence with the bowls, his strategy In misleading the Spanish. his successful fights?

5. What kind of a hero was Drake? His reputation in history? His heroics? As a swashbuckling adventurer of the sixteenth century?

6. Drake’s assistant: as associated with Drake, his pride in sailing with Drake, his loyalty to Elizabeth, relationship with Arabella, his role in the mutiny, his work on the ship, his role in the Spanish adventures, his infatuation with the Indian girl, the comedy of his escape? His relationship to Arabella and saving her? How interesting a character was he? How much an image of Drake? Again, a typical sixteenth century hero?

7. How well was Elizabeth portrayed in the film? Did she compare with the usual picture of her? Her role in England, her strategies, enmity with Spain. using people, protecting them? What kind of queen was she? how admirable?

8. The importance of the scenes with the Indians? Friendly relationships? The discussion of loyalties? Leaving the assistant behind? The British using the natives?

9. The importance of the mutiny sequence and Drake's power over his men?

10.How interesting was the Babbington plot? Its being interwoven with the other adventures? The Spanish intrigue? The role of Mary Queen of Scots?

11.How interesting were the sequences with the Spaniards? Were they portrayed in too black a light? As suitable villains for this adventure heroism?

12.Was the resolution satisfactory for this kind of film? What value has a film like this? A touch of history and a touch of entertainment?