The heart-pounding tone of Michael Curtiz's classic swashbuckling adventure THE SEA HAWK is established moments after the opening credits, when 16th century British pirate captain Geoffrey Thorpe (Errol Flynn) leads a thrilling raid on the galleon of a Spanish ambassador. When the roiling, chaotic clash is over, Thorpe's men have captured the ambassador and Thorpe has learned the Spanish are planning to wage war against England. He rushes home to warn Queen Elizabeth (Flora Robson), only to find that certain powerful members of the Queen's court, concerned with his pirating tactics (and pursuing their own selfish agendas) have ordered Thorpe be put on trial.
THE SEA HAWK, based a novel by Raphael Sabatini, joyously punctuates the scenes involving complicated political intrigue with several cataclysmic sea battles that rank among the best ever committed to celluloid. The film, which garnered three Academy Award nominations, features a spirited performance from Flynn that ranks among his best.
Additional cast: Clifford Brooke (William Tuttle), Ellis Irving (Monty Preston), and Alex Craig (Chartmaker).
Approximate budget: $1,750,000.
Rated BBFC A by the British Board of Film Censors.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Mono 1.0 - English
Distributor Notes: A British sea captain is given permission by Queen Elizabeth I to commit acts of piracy against the Spanish armada and colonies in the New World.
Source: Warner Home Video
Cinematographer
Sol Polito: American Diretor of Photography
Writer
Howard Koch: Screenwiter, CASABLANCA (1942, THE SEA HAWK (1940)
Production Designer
Anton Grot: DeMille-era art director
Review 1:
"Flora Robson is the screen's best Elizabeth ever..."
Source: USA Today
p.2E 04/29/2005