The Sea Hawk
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Movie Reviews of The Sea Hawk
Movie Review: King of Swashbucklers
Summary: 5 Stars
This is truly an amazing film. It's obvious that the makers of the film were subtlely trying to draw paralells between the expansionism of Spain in the late 16th century to the turmoil that was occuring in Europe in 1940, the year the film was made. This is done so expertly by director Michael Curtiz that it does not detract from your enjoyment of the film's action sequences. The film is first rate all the way from it's sets, it's score, and editing. I'd like to reiterate an earlier reviewer in stating that the sepia tones employed for the Panama sequences are breathtaking. The performances here are all first-rate with star Errol Flynn as Captain Geoffrey Thorpe doing probably the best work of his career. The always dependable Claude Rains assays a complex account of villainy as Spanish ambassador Alvarez. Flora Robson does a powerful turn as Queen Elizabeth. Alan Hale, usually comic relief in Flynn's films, even gives a restrained performance as Thorpe's first mate. It does this film a disservice to pigeonhole it as a swashbuckler because there is so much texture here that it can be appreciated on so many levels.Movie Review: Sepia, We Love You
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes indeedy, A. Your eyes deceiveth you not. The Sea Hawk has the Panama section of the film tinted in glorious sepia.
Which leads me to a couple of points. Warners toyed with the idea of making this epic in Technicolor. You look at the sets, you can sort of see they were leaning that way. In the end, frugality prevailed, and the suits decided to save themselves half a mil and shoot in black and white.
And you know something? I'm glad they did. If you want to see what TSH would have looked like in color, go watch "Elizabeth and Essex." That flick was shot eight months earlier. Same palace sets, similar costumes, all in robust technicolor. The art direction is wonderful, but I don't think it's better than the achievement displayed in "The Sea Hawk." It's simply different.
You want a pirate picture in color from this time frame, go watch "The Black Swan." Me, I'll take Curtiz and Flynn over King and Power any day of the week.
Movie Review: Sail to adventure with the Sea Hawk
Summary: 5 Stars
Errol Flynn was in his home element as the captain of a privateer in the service of Queen Elizabeth. A true swashbuckler, this is alot of fun. The story is full of intrigue, action, humor and romance. The production values were high for this movie. Add to that a cast that included Brenda Marshall, Flora Robson and Claude Rains. Also look for some of the best character actors of the day, like Alan Hale, Donald Crisp and Una O'Connor to round out the movie. See sea battles and swordplay aplenty to make for a rousing good time. One note, this was made early during the second world war. The final scene with the queen was added as a morale booster for the audience in England.
Warner Brothers did this up right with this release as part of their Warner Night at the Movies. Dvd comes with Newsreel, Short, Cartoon and trailers. As included is a featurette about Flynn and this movie. You got to get this one!
Movie Review: Yo, Ho, Ho!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those pre-World War II adventure films starring Flynn (he joined the Marines during the war). The time is before the Spanish Armada. Queen Elizabeth I gave tacit approval to pirates robbing the Spanish (the queen got part of the loot, and paid off her debts). There is no doubt that Sir Francis Drake was the model for the main character. You get rousing sea battles, swordplay, and a romantic interest (there was an expression at that time, "In like Flynn"). You have the noble English and the evil Spanish, with the Spanish planning to invade England. The film was made during the opening days of World War II when Nazi Germany was planning to invade England. You don't seem to get motion pictures like this anymore, where people could escape into fantasies away from their real lives to consort with heros.Movie Review: Flynn at his best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Run up the sails, head for the sea, strike for the shores of Dover! After "The Adventures of Robin Hood," this is the definitive Flynn classic.
A fearless English buccaneer, a lovely Spanish maiden, an evil villian, Queen Elizabeth, the Spanish Armada and a pet monkey with a hat; this film has it all. When I think of the term "swashbuckler" this is the film that comes to mind. It may be a little light on the actual history, but it's heavy on the fun and that's what Flynn was all about. His friends said that life was always an adventure when he was around and so were the movies! Step lively friends and watch this one for England!!!