The Sea Hawk

The Sea Hawk (1940) starring Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Donald Crisp. It's 1585, and Spain is on the move, hoping to conquer the known world; only England stands in her way. It's up to English pirates ("sea hawks") like Captain Thorpe (Flynn) to hector the Spanish ships wherever they can be found. Queen Elizabeth, of course, is officially opposed to the actions of the sea hawks -- but Spain is building a great Armada, and England needs Spanish loot to build a fleet and be prepared. This is a standard English swashbuckler, with plenty of stirring action and court intrigue. Flynn is in his prime here (31 when the film was made) and acquits himself well. Marshall plays his love interest, and Rains stars as the Spanish ambassador to England. It's interesting to note that the movie was made in 1940 -- a time when England was facing off, not with Spain, but with Germany. The film's a bit dated, but Errol Flynn entertains. Good subtitles and closed captions. Grade: B