Drake of England

Drake of England (1935)

Genres - Drama  |   Sub-Genres - Adventure Drama, Biopic [feature]  |   Run Time - 96 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Review by Mike Cummings

This 1938 rah-rah British film follows the exploits of Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), the great English navigator, explorer, and swashbuckling conqueror of the Spanish Armada. Drake roams the high seas in search of adventure, glory, and gold to fill the coffers of Queen Elizabeth I (Athene Seylor). On land, he pursues adventure of another kind, wooing and winning one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting in a secret romance. Matheson Alexander Lang portrays Drake with the same sonorous voice and imposing presence that he used to give life to Othello and other Shakespeare characters on stages throughout the world. Although he knows how to deliver his lines, the aging Matheson (who was nearing 60 at the time of the filming) doesn't exactly cut a dashing figure ripe for derring-do and clandestine courtship. Nevertheless, Drake of England -- based on an unabashedly patriotic Louis N. Parker play -- is an okay film replete with swordplay, knavery, and heroism. Director Arthur Woods moves the film briskly along, and viewers get to see Drake defeat the Armada in under 100 minutes. The movie is also known as Drake the Pirate and Elizabeth of England.