This is a dramatic B/W film made just before WWII was begun by Adolf Hitler. The British Empire-based filmmakers draw a distinction between the theocratic Spanish Empire of Philip II, ably played by Raymond Massey, and the somewhat parliamentary government of England's island under the Protestant governance of Tudor Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by Flora Robson with yet-unmatched power and skill. The distinction is important; although the misuse of their powers by neo-imperial-U.S. and post-Empire British governments have lessened our perception of the difference between the two regimes, that difference is in fact real and cleverly presented. The vehicle for the storyline was a novel by A.E. W. Mason. Clemence Dane's screenplay follows the adventure of young Michael, agent of the Queen, as he tries to uncover the nature and extent of a Spanish spy-ring operating in England. This requires him to pretend to be one of them and present himself to Philip; but his pretense fails for lack of a missing password. He is imprisoned in Spain, falls half in love with a lovely Spanish girl, daughter of his jailer, although he really loves one of Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting; but she allows him to escape when she sees what Philip's evil is doing to her country's people, and he hastes back to the court in time to uncover the plot and save Elizabeth. Elizabeth then give her famous speech that rallies the English to defeat the Spanish Armada and save England, to become another empire and finally in our century a country again. The plot is fairly well-done, but the beauty of the film lies in its characters and dialogue and the way these are brought to life by an excellent cast. Laurence Olivier is Michael, Vivien Leigh is the girl he loves, Leslie Banks is the Earl of Leicester, Morton Selten is Lord Burleigh ;and Robert Newton heads the villains with Tamara Desni as the Spanish girl, plus many other fine British stage actors. The music was composed by Richard Addinsell, William K. Howard directed, cinematography was by the legendary James Wong Howe and camera-work by Wilkie Cooper. This is not a great film, but the restored B/W version is beautiful; the characters memorable, the villains intelligently unethical and some of the actors, especially Robson, superb. This is also a very good film about the era of Elizabeth and the meaning of tyranny--and what honorable men need to risk to avoid having its shadow fall over their lives; and what one group of men in the late 1580s dared to do.
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planktonrules16 March 2006Recently 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. -
Igenlode Wordsmith18 August 2007I'm afraid I was disappointed by "Fire over England", having pinned too many hopes on this film of all those in the Olivier season: based on a novel I'd loved as a child, starring Flora Robson as Queen Elizabeth with names such as Raymond Massey, James Mason and Robert Newton among the supporting cast, and featuring Vivien Leigh as the real-life love interest of a Laurence Olivier described as channelling Douglas Fairbanks and John Barrymore as he does all his own stunts, what could hold more promise? Like "The Sea Hawk", it was a picture I'd heard of and had long since been waiting to see.
But great anticipation places an insuperable weight on a film. "The Sea Hawk" disappointed, and Olivier is no Flynn. The character is petulant and callow, admittedly -- but I couldn't identify with Michael emotionally (not aided by the fact that he appears to be trifling completely untroubled with the affections of two ladies at once, which deprived the love scenes of their conviction: it didn't come across as a conflict of loyalties, but as having your cake and eating it), and I found the action sequences uninspiring. The stunt dives look like belly-flops (presumably with an eye to the angle of the safety nets), the 'storm-tossed' ships wobble along with their sails obviously providing no propulsion whatsoever (would it have cost too much to have someone blow on them?), and the palace guards at the Escurial display a degree of stupidity in their pursuit that even in the context of cliché is less thrilling than ridiculous. The only moments of the Spanish adventure that worked for me at all were the double-edged dialogue at the dining table, and the 'spy' scenes with Raymond Massey.
For the true honours of this production lie not with the adolescent hero but with the ageing generation. Massey invests the workaholic, melancholic Philip of Spain with a lethally plodding efficiency that makes him truly to be feared. The quietly-weighted exchange between the older Ingolby and his friend-turned-captor holds far more emotional impact than young Michael's histrionics when he finally cottons on (about a reel later than everybody else, audience included). The Queen's relationship with her boyhood's Robin is far deeper and better-portrayed than Michael's with Cynthia, and the memorable struggle is not Laurence Olivier with a sword in his hand but Elizabeth facing the loss of her youth.
It is the grown-up drama that is worth watching here. But unfortunately this is not the main focus of the motion picture. -
alicecbr15 October 1999Note the date this was made..1937. What a shot in the arm for a people about to fight for their survival....AGAIN. The lines that effectively say "Loved I you, loved I not England more" spoken by Olivier speak for all the Brits that would soon have to turn their backs on a gentle home life. Today we are not faced with that decision and it seems amazing that a human being would have to lay down his life for his country. As Vivien Leigh pleads with her lover (later to be her husband) to remember 'all the sunsets we could see together", you know that she is speaking to the audience of that time in a visceral manner.
Quaintly anachronistic, and let's pray it stays that way.
To watch Raymond Massey play the king of Spain and James Mason play the English 'spy' Vane is worth the price of the movie itself. Logic rears its ugly head, of course, or illogic: Five Englishmen are identified as traitors by Olivier and what happens? Elisabeth puts them under his command to fight off the Spanish Armada. Didn't she ever hear of fragging?
As the English ships are set ablaze and sailed into the Armada, it makes me long for a history book to find out what actually happened. I thought the weather broke the Spanish Armada up before it reached English shores off the coast of Ireland....accounting for the 'black Irish', descendants from those sailors who made it ashore.
Nonetheless, to watch the Lord and Lady of the English stage appear together while their love was young (and both were married to others) is fascinating.
You think you're watching Elisabeth Taylor half the time, with those big expressive eyes. Olivier also sings and plays a lute. His singing voice isn't bad atall, and is he handsome!!!!
When he plays his acrobatic ship and sword fighting tricks, you'll think of Errol Flynn and long for the movie to be colorized. How easy it would be with today's technology to color these wonderful old movies in gorgeous realistic color. And the mood would be enhanced, not destroyed as it might were it a film noir.
When Queen Elisabeth (the first one) says, "I'm only a woman", you'll burst out laughing.....she who made England was 'only a woman'. See it.
So 'Fire over England' was a propaganda film. Fine. I loved it. -
Philipp_Flersheim30 June 2022'Fire Over England' covers more or less the same ground as 'The Sea Hawk' did a few years later, though the younger film did it to much better effect. The issue is Philip II of Spain's (Raymond Massey) ambition to eradicate Protestantism, which requires annexing and re-catholicising countries such as England. In 'Fire Over England' Elizabeth (Flora Robson) sends young Michael Ingolby (Laurence Olivier) as an agent to Spain. His mission: discover a) when the Armada will sail, and b) who of her courtiers are secretly in league with Spain. The plot is pretty convoluted; moreover, there are several sub-plots that are not adding or helping much (for example, Elena's (Tamara Desni) only function seems to be to convince the audience of Michael Ingolby's irresistable charms). Robson as Queen Elizabeth is excellent. She reprised her role later in 'The Sea Hawk'. As a swashbuckling hero, Olivier is no match for Errol Flynn. Vivien Leigh, who plays his love interest Cynthia is charming and vivacious. The sets are great throughout. One important thing that should not be forgotten is that 'Fire Over England' had a clear message for British audiences in 1937: It is about the need to resist great powers bent on the invasion of England. I am sure many viewers saw the parallel with Nazi-Germany - but I am not sure whether this helped the film: public opinion was pacifist, and British politics dominated by appeasers. 'Fire Over England' took a courageous, if unpopular stance.
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kfo949425 January 2021From the start of the film, I had a hard time distinguishing between characters. I was having a difficult time who was English and who was Spanish. We would go from scene to scene not knowing who the character's of the film were associated. However, once in the middle of the movie it became more involved with the main characters and the movie became more interesting and clearer. > Even though some of the acting was very stiff, it did tell a story that was compelling and entertaining. Most of the acting was par for the time period. But there an escape from custody scene in the film that was nearly laughable as guards appear unable to see when the escape person is right in eye sight of them. But overall, the movie did serve its purpose and was entertaining enough to make for a nice watch. > Even with some acting inflexible, this was not the case with Flora Robson, who played Queen Elizabeth I, as her performance was the best thing about this movie. Also, Morton Selten was excellent in one of his last performances. > Even with times the movie was difficult to understand, it was entertaining enough to make the watch absorbing. With a nice cast and forceful message, this was enough to make for a good view.
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JoeytheBrit21 April 2020Laurence Olivier is an excitable and immature hero for much of the running time of this unremarkable costume drama that was probably made with one eye on the gathering war clouds in Europe. Its' plot revolves around young Larry's undercover attempts to unearth the names of those in England plotting to replace Queen Elizabeth I with the Spanish King Philip. The direction and editing leaves much to be desired, but is at least counteracted by a strong, committed cast and a mildly intriguing plot. More of Raymond Massey would have been good - he barely rises from his seat once...
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jem13225 March 2006I wasn't expecting too much from this one- I had read some rather unfavorable reviews that basically said it was dated, melodramatic fuzz. Yes, it is dated and melodramatic, but it is also very good value.
The great Flora Robson is first-billed as Queen Elizabeth I of England. Set in the late 1500's, this historical drama revolves around the strained relations between Spain and England. I'm not too good on the history, but like most historical re-tellings it has it's inaccuracies and flaws. Bear with them, as this is an entertaining and worthy film. Flora Robson is magnificent and dominates the whole production.
Stage actor Olivier is Michael Ingolby, and a young Vivien Leigh is lady-in-waiting Cynthia. In the handful of scenes that they share together (Olivier actually has more opportunities for romance with Tamara Desni), you can feel that these two are really in love, on and off-screen. Olivier was courting Leigh at the time of the making of 'Fire Over England', so watching them falling in love as Michael and Cynthia is a rather voyeuristic experience. Leigh handles her small role very well, yet it is hard to tell that this young lady would be fiery Scarlett O'Hara in just a few years. Of course, Vivien looks great in the costumes, as always. Olivier is good, if a little stage-bound. Still relatively unexperienced with the film medium, Larry is over-the-top in quite a few scenes. He's very handsome here, and we even get to hear him sing and play the lute! His swashbuckling manner reminds me of Douglas Fairbanks, who Larry was an admirer of. Olivier does all his own stunts here (as he would do in later roles such as Henry V), perhaps inspired by Fairbanks.
It's a good attempt at historical drama, and the production values are high-class for an English 1930's film.
Worth your time.
7/10. -
bkoganbing9 May 2005Sir Laurence Olivier once said that he thought his work before Wuthering Heights markedly inferior to that after because it was William Wyler who taught him the art of film acting and the difference between that and the stage. Although he overacts in spots in Fire Over England, even with that it comes natural because the character he's playing is an impetuous youth.
England did not have the big navy and the empire it boasted of in later centuries. Spain was the big kid on the European block in 1587 when this story takes place. It's Hapsburg King, Philip II either directly or through his Hapsburg relations lay claim to about half of western Europe and about 3/5 of the North and South American continents combined.
And Spain was driven by a religious ideology in the Roman Catholic faith with its Inquisition determined to stamp out diversity of thought in it's wake. England had broken away from the Roman Church and the Pope and was asserting its own religious sovereignty.
England didn't have a navy, but it did have privateers, although the Spanish called them pirates. They raided Spanish commerce and exacted a heavy toll in life and property. That got Philip II pretty mad and he set out to build the biggest fleet anyone ever saw to wipe these upstarts out. He called it the Armada.
These upstarts had a female ruler in Elizabeth I, played by Flora Robson. Over 400 years before Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan were writing about feminism, in that most masculine of ages Queen Elizabeth devoted her very existence to her people and sacrificed a lot of personal happiness in doing so. Flora Robson gives the definitive portrait of Elizabeth of England in this film. She did it so well that when she came to America, Warner Brothers had her play Queen Elizabeth again in The Sea Hawk. Elizabeth in this writer's humble opinion was the greatest monarch the English have ever had.
Raymond Massey plays Philip II, a dour humorless man who also unceasingly worked for his country. He's a cunning adversary for Elizabeth.
Fire Over England was the first film that Olivier did with his future wife Vivien Leigh. On this film they started the affair that was the Taylor-Burton romance of it's day. I'm sure the publicity helped the box office here. Vivien Leigh is one of Elizabeth's ladies in waiting and she falls big time for Olivier who has been captured, escapes Spain and then sent on a confidential mission by Elizabeth to find out about some English fifth columnists she suspects. How Olivier escapes the first time and what happens on the mission, well that's for you to see Fire Over England for.
Two other main characters are Lord Burleigh played by Morton Selten and the Earl of Leicester played by Leslie Banks. Leicester in his youth was the lover and chief confidant of Elizabeth even before she became Queen. Their story is a part of the rich tapestry of pageant that was Elizabeth of England's life. Why they didn't marry is a whole film in and of itself and Banks's anguish is captured well here.
Grand entertainment and a grand historical pageant tribute to one of the most heroic times in English history. -
LW-0885427 December 2023I actually enjoyed this movie quite a big. The film is well acted and is a mixture of romance, history and politics. Lawerence Oliver and Leight are both superb in their roles and there's genuine chemistry between them. I also really liked the performance of Flora Robson as an older Queen Elizabeth I. The queen we have here manages to be both iron willed and lofty, yet also clear headed and commanding great authority. Her mounting her horse and rallying her army was perhaps one of my favourite moments in the film. Whenever you're told old films didn't have strong female characters you can refer them to this movie. The film was made in 1937 when a new threat of war in Europe was loaming and I'm sure that fact wouldn't have been lost on this audience. The film though shows the Queen also acutely aware of all those who will have suffered while others celebrate victory. England in this film is portrayed as an underdog, lacking Spain's gold and oversea territory. The plot is quite complex with lots of intrigue, mistrust and risk. I also liked the costumes in this film quite a bit. I would say though they could have done more to differentiate between the Spanish court setting and the English one.
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aramis-112-8048805 February 2022Two years after "Captain Blood," which shot Errol Flynn to stardom, Laurence Olivier essayed his own sea hawk role in "Fire Over England."
Made at a time when citizens in Great Britain and America hoped to skirt another Great War and not repeat its attendance horrors, if "Fire Over England" was meant as a wakeup call to a possible invasion by National Socialist Germany it was prescient indeed. The British government's appeasement of Hitler--indeed, the annexation of Austria--would happen the next year. It's silly to think "Fire over England" was meant to raise fears of a modern invasion of England. Then, they believed Der Fuhrer was a rational leader capable of honest deals.
Laurence Olivier, considered the great stage actor of his day, often chews the scenery. Perhaps he hasn't learned to dial back his performances on film from trying to reach "the gods" in the theatre; or perhaps, like many another great stage actor, Michael Redgrave for instance in "The Lady Vanishes, he had disdain for movies and only did them for the money. But the young Olivier photographs well.
With him is Vivian Leigh. She comes off much better and is even lovelier than in "Gone With the Wind."
Flora Robson plays a perfect Queen Elizabeth and repeated the role in Flynn's "The Sea Hawk" later, when England had reason to fear German invasion.
"Fire Over England" is an Elizabethan espionage drama where Olivier pretends to be traitor to dig up dirt on the Armada. It's E. Phillips Openheim in Elizabethan dress. Further I won't go lest revealing spoilers. But Olivier's performance improves as he becomes a pseudo-traitor. He even tries a few of those eyelid tricks he mastered later.
The script needs work, and shows the problem of novelists working outside their discipline. Two well-regarded novelists of the era, A. E. W. Mason and Clemence Dane, are credited as working on the script. And they have an exchange where Olivier asks a woman what she's cooking. "It's called a potato." Olivier looks at it strangely and asks if it's edible. Lines like that may be hidden in a novel but they stand arrogantly out in a movie.
More primitive than Hollywood movies of the same time, it's made watchable by its stars. Oh, and did I mention Robert Newton and Raymond Massey appear in smaller roles? Newton is always worth watching, from more subtle times like this to his later days when he approached every role as if it were Long John Silver. -
theowinthrop23 March 2005There is not real film about the events leading to Philip II's great enterprise of 1588, the sailing (and destruction, as it turned out) of the great Spanish Armanda. To understand the story would take too many twists and turns. I recommend Garrett Mattingley's classic account of the Armada from the 1950s for those interested. Philip, tired of the aid that Elizabeth I of England gave to the Dutch and French Protestants, made a plan to transport an army under his nephew, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Palma, from Belgium to England using the Armada. He put the fleet under command of the Spanish nobleman, the Duke of Medina Sidonia. But Medina Sidonia was not a sailor (although a conscientious nobleman and servant of Philip). The Armada would first suffer a raid (by Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake). After it was repaired it did sail, only to find the faster English ships of Drake, Howard, and Frobisher more deadly, and the heavy winds, seas, and storms even deadlier. Many ships were wrecked off Scotland and Ireland. It was one of the worst naval catastrophes of history.
However it was also Philip's finest moment. Always a firmly religious man, he did not despair at the disaster to his fleet and plans, but he saw it was God's will. He actually put together Armadas again twice in the 1590s, but neither got as far as the first one did.
The complications of the story make it too confusing for anything but a full television seris: Philip was spurred on when Mary, Queen of Scots was executed in 1587 - he had been named her appointed heir to the English throne in her will; the French religious wars were approaching a critical moment, and Mary's uncle (the Duc de Guise) was leader of the Catholic forces at war with King Henri III of France and King Henri of Navarre (the leader of the Huguenots). There have been films dealing with Elizabeth's sea rovers, such as Drake ("Seven Seas To Calais", "The Sea Hawke"), but only this film tries to tackle the actual story of the Armada. As an adventure story it is excellent. As history, not exact but pretty good in parts.
First it does touch briefly on Mary's execution, in an early scene where one of Mary's servants tries to assassinate Elizabeth (Flora Robson). It really concentrates on the complex world of Elizabethan spying and the Elizabethan Catholic "underworld". The latter is an unfair description, for the Catholics were being persecuted in England. They had been supporters of Mary, and now that she was killed they gave support (mostly begrudgingly) to Philip. England's master of spies was Sir Francis Walsingham (who does not appear in this film). Instead the espionage against Spain is handled by Robert, Earl of Leicester (Leslie Banks) in the film - but in fact, Leicester died in 1587 in Holland, so he was not around for the Armada.
Lawrence Olivier is splendid in this early role as the young agent sent to spy on Philip and his plan (going in place of James Mason, who committed suicide in trying to avoid arrest). Olivier manages to get close to Philip (Raymond Massey) but that is not fully possible. Philip does not even like Englishmen, but he is willing to go along with the Catholics to get rid of Elizabeth and her regime. Philip is not easy to fool, and in a marvelous (almost comic moment) he stops Olivier from disclosing anything by finding that there was one name Olivier does not know that he should.
I won't go into the rest of the film's story. Watch it to see how Olivier still manages to escape and save England, and end up with his love (Vivian Leigh). For a 1937 historic film it is quite good, even if it could not tell the completely true story of the invasion of 1588. -
blanche-222 March 2009I admit not knowing much about the part of British history conveyed in "Fire over England." The main interest for me was seeing the two young lovers, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, who began their affair during this film. What a beautiful couple, what a great love, and what a sad end to it. You'd never dream looking at these two what life had in store for them on the personal front.
"Fire over England" is a 1937 Alexander Korda film that takes place in 1558. Relations between Spain and England are terrible, with the British capturing Spanish gold from the New World. When a scheme to get her off the throne is uncovered, the Queen (Flora Robson) sends a young man, Michael Ingolby (Olivier) undercover to the court of Philip of Spain. Pretending to be a traitor, he is able to get the names of the actual Brits in the pay of the Spanish and learns they want to send the Armada against England.
He goes to battle, leading an attack by night on the Armada ships. Meanwhile, he is in love with one of the Queen's ladies in waiting, Cynthia (Leigh) and has the affection of the Queen herself.
"Fire over England" is an early acting film acting assignment from Laurence Olivier. He is super-handsome and an exuberant, energetic Michael Ingolby, perhaps a bit overdone in spots. This, however, can be forgiven because of the nature of the role. Leigh really doesn't have much to do. Though Selznick allegedly was introduced Vivien Leigh by his brother Myron when Atlanta was burning, a historian made something of the fact that he evidently saw this film beforehand. If he did, there's no way he would have a) remembered Leigh and b) thought of her for Scarlett.
All in all, a very interesting film. -
henry8-321 February 2020Whilst Olivier falls for Vivienne Leigh at the court of Elizabeth I, the queen sends him on a mission to Spain to find out who are the traitors in King Philip's pay.
Mounted rather like a Shakespearean play with Olivier in best thrusting doublet pose, this is a very British, handsomely put together piece of flag waving. Most of the cast speak in the grandest tones about everything leaving it to Raymond Massey as Philip to provide the only grounded performance.
Enjoyable but very much of its pre war time. -
Mandyjam19 August 2007The facts:- Charles Howard, later Earl of Nottingham, commanded the British Fleet with Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins as secondary command. When the Armada was sighted, beacons were lit, as in the movie. (It was demonstrated at the pre-wedding party for Prince Charles prior to his marriage to Diana, that it was possible to get a signal from Hampstead Heath, London, to Lands End, the furthest point west, within some extraordinarily short time by this method. If my memory serves me, the time was something like 7 minutes to Lands's End and about 40 minutes to the outer Hebrides. This is why Drake was able to famously claim that he had time ti finish a game of bowls before he thrashed the Spaniard.)
The Brits met the Armada at Plymouth and fought them in the Channel to Calais, where the Spanish expected more ships to join them from the Netherlands which was in Spanish hands at the time. The battle in the Channel lasted about a week, with the smaller and much more maneuverable English vessels whipping in close to do damage, but out- numbered by the much larger vessels.
The Armada anchored at Calais and waited. It was there that the British sent in the small fire ships which, assisted by a rising wind, created havoc among the anchored vessels. When many of the ships destroyed, the remainder could not sail westward out of the Channel to return to Spain, because of the winds. They were forced to sail northwards up the east coast of England and around Scotland, where they ran into foul weather. The weather worsened as they sailed south and many of the remaining vessels were wrecked on the Irish coast. -
sdave759622 June 2009I admit I don't know much about the historical aspects of the British, so I defer to others comments about this film. I watched this film more out of curiosity recently when it was on TCM. "Fire Over England" released in 1937, is noteworthy to a true movie fan because of the early pairing of Viven Leigh and Laurence Olivier, who would eventually become Mr. and Mrs. Olivier. They had actually made a few films earlier in England, but they are not well known. In fact, both were not known much in America at all at this point, but of course that would change in two years with Viven Leigh playing Scarlett O'Hara and Laurence Olivier playing Heathcliff. This film is what some call a costume drama, focusing on the 1500's turbulence of England about to go to war with Spain. Flora Robson plays Queen Elizabeth, and she is riveting in the part, and -- in my opinion -- steals every scene she is in. With all due respect to Bette Davis playing the great queen two years later in "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" Robson's Queen is superior. She carries her not just with the required bitchiness, but with a regal air about her. Davis seemed rather actress and self-conscious in the part. Anyway, this film, while not great, is still worthwhile, although largely forgotten today. It enjoyed something of a revival after Vivien Leigh won the Oscar for "Gone With the Wind," becoming a bona fide star, and Laurence Olivier finally getting the recognition he deserved in "Wuthering Heights."
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mark.waltz16 January 2021This epic drama from the man who almost brought us the first "I Claudius" (Alexander Jordan) focuses on the rival of two 16th century rulers, Queen Elizabeth of England and King Philip of Spain, once related through marriage. They are portrayed by two of the greatest character actors in cinema and stage history, Flora Robson and Raymond Massey, and their performances are extraordinary. While they do not share a scene it is obvious that in spite of being enemies, there is an underlying caring for the other through their past familial relationship even though as Elizabeth notes, she was not a favorite of her sister, the late Queen Mary.
The film basically deals with the various relationships of Elizabeth's court, particularly the young Laurence Olivier and lady in waiting Vivian Leigh, and Olivier's mission to go to Spain to pass along messages to the king in regards to plots against the queen. When he tells Philip that there was an assassination attempt on the Queen's life, King Philip seems genuinely concerned.
Even though they are in constant battle over Spain's commanding of the waters through the Armada and the belief that England's small seafaring army (not yet a Navy) are nothing more than pirates, the two never display hatred towards the other, only the desire for what they believe to be justice. Robson's Queen is a temperamental aging matriarch, at one point slapping Leigh in fury, then comforting her when she sends Olivier away on a mission. She truly is commanding and gives an outstanding, believable performance, filled with strengthen, intelligence, sadness and regret, demonstrated when Leigh removes her wig to work on what remains of her hair.
In Spain, Olivier is rescued and nursed back to healthy by Tamara Desni after being thrown overboard in battle, which gives a bit of romantic conflict even though she is loyal to her country and hates the English. While Olivier singing voice isn't unpleasant, it is awkward to hear him sing the rather annoying "Spanish Lady" song over and over. His acting at times is completely over the top, making his character rather testy even though he outgrows that due to the necessity of the plot. Leigh is window dressing only, not yet the sultry vixen of Tara, but she certainly is gorgeous in those period costumes.
Olivier's future "Boys From Brazil" costar James Mason has a smaller role as one of the young men in service to the queen, and a cast of aging British character actors round out the ensemble, some with great wisdom and sadness as they see their days as being numbered. This is an entertaining film, not a great one, and the fact that this is in the public domain and not restored makes it sometimes frustrating because the prints even today look like those many TV broadcasts I saw of it back in the 80's when I first began collecting classic cinema.
But it's the film itself, not the print, that could have used a bit more energy to stand the test of time as a classic. Robson would go on one more time to play the queen even though far younger, and while not as grotesque as the characters she would play in "Saratoga Trunk" and "Caesar and Cleopatra", shows her as a brave actress who shines in these types of parts. She would be reunited with Olivier just a year later for her classic role as Ellen in "Wuthering Heights", a complete contrast to the part she plays here. Massey, going from playing the king here, would play other real life historical figures, most notably John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, but even with limited footage here, he is terrific. The ending, while profound and dramatic, seems to be trying to stretch itself out, and that doesn't aide to the film's dramatic power. -
"Fire Over England" is a British film that takes place during the late 16th century in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada. The story is an adventure romance mixed with fictional history. It's based on a 1937 novel of the same title by British author Alfred (A. E. W.) Mason. At the time of this film, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party ruled Germany, and had aroused concern and worry by many leaders. Apparently, producer Alexander Korda saw this film as a way to alert and arouse the British as to the Nazi threat. In that regard. Winston Churchill had been wary of and warning about Hitlers military buildup. Indeed, author Mason himself also alluded to that as an incentive for his novel at the time.
But this film clearly portrays in places the hatred of some English people for the Spanish, and hatred of some Spanish for the English. But not all people were hostile toward one another. The film portrays Queen Elizabeth in the best light, and King Philip II of Spain, in the worst light. For a much more objective assessment of King Philip, who ruled Spain from 1556 to 1598 - including his faults and his virtues, I recommend the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Britannica says his portrayal "as a monster of bigotry, ambition, lust, and cruelty is certainly false."
With the fictional characters played by Laurence Olivier (Richard) and Vivien Leigh (Cynthia), for romance and action, the story takes place during just two years - 1587 and 1588. As the prologue to the film reads, Spain was powerful in the Old World master in the New World. And King Philip ruled by force and fear.
As the movie opens, the Spanish are upset about all the pirating of Spanish ships by English rogues Apparently, Richard's father was one of those, and the two are captured after their ship is defeated in a battle. Richard escapes by jumping overboard and swimming to shore. He was wounded in the fight, but makes his way to the home of a Spanish acquaintance and friend of his father's, an admiral in the Spanish navy. He falls for the admiral's daughter, Elena, who is engaged to marry a count. After he learns that his father was executed by the Spanish Inquisition, he flees to England.
Eventually he becomes a spy for Queen Elizbeth and returns to Spain disguised as a traitor, Vane. His purpose is to get the names of the other traitors within the queen's court. Before he can do that, King Philip uncovers his false identity. Ironically, Count Don Pedro, who married the admirals daughter, gives Richard directions to escape. He says, he is forced to choose between his wife or his king. It's at this point that Olivier has some swashbuckling in the film, and he's quite good at it. He gets back to England to uncover the traitors as the queen is going to the front lines to inspire the English who will confront the Spanish Armada.
The fictional ploy about the traitors all recanting and then being pardoned to serve the queen is quite a far-fetched stretch. But they sail off with Olivier's Richard as captains of the fire ships that will destroy and defeat the Armada.
Back home afterwards, Richard and Cynthia are reunited in their love. Leigh's part in this film has been as a lady in waiting on the queen. To give it a little meat, her character has some confrontations with her majesty, and she is the granddaughter of Burleigh, who is the royal treasurer of the time. And, the queen walks in on the two when they are amorously engaged a few times. This was really a lightweight role for Leigh. But it apparently was the film that propelled Olivier and Leigh to stardom. It was also the start of their extra-marital affair, before they were divorced and then wed in 1940.
Here are some lines form the film.
Spanish ambassador, "But, your grace, you must listen." Queen Elizabeth, "Must? Little man, little man! Must is not a word to use to princes."
Elena, "I'm not going back to bed yet."
Elena's Governess, "But, for the future, Senorita, remember this - a Spanish lady may retire, but she never goes to bed."
Queen Elizabeth, to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, "You do well to be jealous. He is stronger than you. You are... today. He is tomorrow.
Queen Elizabeth, "Oh, Robin. That sin goes up with me crying, Mary of Scotland." Earl of Leicester, "No sin of yours. Her life was forfeit." Queen, "I could have saved her but I let her perish. Well, I pay for it. Five times, Robin, I have stood to be shot at. And still I live."
Queen Elizabeth, to the Spanish ambassador, "You must forgive him, your excellency. His father's ashes have blown into his eyes and blinded him."
King Philip of Spain, "Only by fear can the people be made to do their duty. And not always then."
Richard, posing as Vane, "I hope to deserve your majesty's trust." King Philip, "Trust? I do not trust you, sir. I do not trust any man."
Don Pedro, "You force me to choose between betraying my country or my wife. I'm obliged to help you."
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. It's the end of war. It's the end ... of everything. Now, do you see?"
Queen Elizabeth, "I have seen blacker fears turn to hope. Hope on until you know there is none."
Cynthia, "We have a right to be happy. Everyone has a right to be happy." Michael. Michael, "Everyone, yes. That is why we can't be." -
wright770022 November 2005Even considering the 1937 production here, this is a classy effort on every front: acting, sets, script, plot, historical accuracy, etc.
My major reason for seeking out this film was a compilation of the works for the incomparable Vivien Leigh. While she is stunning here, adding her usual vitality to any of her roles, there are many other strengths to admire in "Fire Over England." This is certainly the best of her early works with Laurence Olivier.
The film only runs about 90 minutes but moves quickly with a plot that makes perfect sense. The whole production is quite believable, and Olivier is stronger here than in "That Hamilton Woman." Flora Robson steals the show. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I reveals a complex woman with a big heart. She is brilliant, wise, cunning, ruthless, and forgiving all in one package. These terms describe both Robson and the Monarch she played.
Go out and get this one. You will be glad you did. -
I remembered the title so well. To me, it was a Flora Robson movie with Olivier and Vivien Leigh in supporting roles. And it had Vincent Massey's voice from behind whiskers. Well Flora Robson was great. Her next signature, for me, would be "55 Days at Peking". The same role but with different sumptuous gowns. And the same voice. As for the Armada, it was a subtext. I like black-and-white films. Was everything done in Elizbethan times at night? It was talky and difficult to fathom, at times. I couldn't tell which was the love interest. Was it the Spaniard or was it Vivien Leigh? And I do not believe that Elizabeth I would have been the brilliant strategist to recommend that fire ships be sent against the Armada. Apparently it worked for the Empire, but not for the script. This might have been more accurate, historically, but Bette Davis had more engaging scripts. And I missed daylight!
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Renowned and handsomely-mounted early British spectacular with imposing credentials – producers Alexander Korda and Erich Pommer, cinematographer James Wong Howe, art director Lazare Meerson, special effects creator Ned Mann – and a cast virtually assembling the cream of the crop working in the country at that particular moment – Laurence Olivier, Flora Robson, Leslie Banks, Vivien Leigh, Raymond Massey, Robert Newton, James Mason – all of which is complemented by a suitably rousing score from Richard Addinsell.
The narrative revolves around the planned invasion of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I by the Spanish armada of King Philip II (with help from British traitors); the former is magnificently embodied by Robson (who would eventually return to the role in Hollywood for the Errol Flynn vehicle THE SEA HAWK [1940]), while the latter is played by Massey as a sleek but cagey monarch. With one of the dissidents among her ranks (Mason) intercepted, the English Queen appoints a young naval officer (Olivier) – who had just lost his admiral father to the Spanish Inquisition – to assume the conniver's identity and travel to Philip's court in order to obtain the names of his associates and establish the enemy's strategy for attack. Complications arise when one of the Spanish ruler's subordinates (Newton) is revealed to be married to the woman (pretty Tamara Desni – the German-born Russian actress died in France only last month at the venerable age of 97!) who had previously cared for the wounded Olivier, their respective fathers having been the best of friends. Torn between betraying his country or his wife, Newton engineers Olivier's flight home – whereupon the latter receives a knighthood, before being promptly sent by his sovereign (along with the conspirators newly-swayed to patriotic duty) on a mission to destroy the approaching enemy fleet!
The film maintains a good balance throughout between romance (thanks to Olivier's matinée idol looks, he's briefly involved with Desni apart from his love interest in England – provided by future wife Leigh, as the Queen's lady-in-waiting, in the first of three on-screen collaborations though Robson herself is shown carrying a hesitant torch for veteran and devoted chief adviser Banks!), intrigue (in effect at both camps), action (including raids by pirate ships, a couple of chases, discreet swordplay and culminating in the final elaborate fiery offensive) and propaganda (WWII was already looming at this point). While the print I viewed turned out to be anything but pristine, I was grateful to have finally caught this altogether splendid historical epic; incidentally, I'd become acquainted with several wonderful Korda productions over the years on both Italian TV and VHS – but, oddly enough, FIRE OVER ENGLAND itself seldom turned up until now in my neck of the woods! -
michaelRokeefe14 September 2003This is a terrific, interesting historical saga about an Englishman(Laurence Olivier)spying in Spain during their 1500s conflict. Full of action and adventure. Flora Robson is outstanding as Queen Elizabeth I. Almost flawless portrayals from Raymond Massey, Leslie Banks, Morton Selten, Cecil Mainwaring and the lovely Vivien Leigh. Highly recommended.
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Snow Leopard22 March 2005This enjoyable historical drama is particularly notable for the fine cast headed by Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, and Raymond Massey. The period atmosphere works well, and the setting, against the background of the 16th century struggles between England and Spain, is an interesting one.
The story does a solid job of working the historical setting into a romance between Olivier's and Leigh's characters, setting up some interesting possibilities. Those two work well together - Leigh is a natural in her role, and it's an interesting change of pace for Olivier, from his Shakespeare roles and the like. Massey adds considerable interest and energy as the kind of heavy that he played so well his very voice seems appropriate. Flora Robson is very well suited to the role of Queen Elizabeth. Tamara Desni and Leslie Banks also do well in their roles.
The plot creates good moments of drama, romance, and action, along with some good cat- and-mouse games between the characters. It builds to a good climax and, if it occasionally stretches plausibility, it easily holds your interest all the way through. Overall, it's pretty good and well worth seeing. -
rsternesq7 December 2008This is a great movie with excellent production values, performances and exposition. These were very complicated times and neither Elizabeth nor Philip was a simple ruler. Neither was good nor bad and both were permitted by the mores of their times to be outrageous. Given that Flora Robson did not resemble Elizabeth in the slightest and was far, far younger at the time of her portrayal, she presents the great Queen as she should be portrayed except that Elizabeth was a beauty in her youth and permitted the illusion of beauty to continue long after it was lost. See it, hear it and enjoy it. It is a mountain beside the current portrayals of these people and their times as a bland pageant of farthingales.
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edwagreen8 November 2008Other than the great cinematography by the marvelous James Wong Howe in the battle scenes, this film is a true stinker.
This is the second film that I've seen in recent days directed by Alexander Korda. The first was Charles Laughton's "Rembrandt." It was so lousy that I shut it off. This one I'm afraid is not very much better.
Flora Robson is as ugly as ever as Queen Elizabeth. Perhaps, her performance as the virgin Queen was good for 1937 standards but when you compare it to that of a Helen Mirren, it is absolutely no match. In robotic fashion, Robson states her lines. Her battle message to the English troops is so lackluster in spirit.
Even a dashing Laurence Olivier can't save this utter piece of boredom.
Future wife Vivien Leigh is in a supporting role here and she doesn't really convey anything here. To think, that Scarlett was 2 years later!
It's a shame that history with the Spanish Armada is made out to be so boring in this film.