The Sea Hawk, 1940, Warner Bros. Starring Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains. Directed by Michael Curtiz. B&W, 128 minutes.
It is 1585, and Spain is in the process of overtaking and ruling the world. King Philip II of Spain (Montagu Love) looks to the future, where he envisions his map of the world to be instead a map of Spain—in other words, Spain would rule the world. However, England appears to be standing in his way. To counter that threat, he sends Don Alvarez (Claude Rains) to England to assuage any fears the Queen may have about the fleet Spain is building.
On its way, the ship carrying Don Alvarez and his daughter, Doña Maria (Brenda Marshall) is seized by the Albatross and her captain, Geoffrey Thorpe (Errol Flynn). Don Alvarez and Doña Maria are taken aboard the Albatross and transported back to England. Captain Thorpe finds himself unexpectedly captivated by Doña Maria, who, initially at least, resists his charms. It’s only when the Captain returns her jewels that she lets her guard down—and begins to open her heart.
Back in England, privateer Thorpe approaches Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson) with a new plan: to venture to the New World and capture Spanish gold to pay for a fleet that can resist Spain. The Queen, reluctant to spend her subject’s money on such a fleet, agrees. She also makes Doña Maria one of her maids of honor.
But the plan does not unfold as it is laid out for the Queen, and Captain Thorpe finds himself in troubled waters.

Flora Robson, Errol Flynn
The Sea Hawk received nominations for four Academy awards: Art Direction, Original Score, Special Effects, and Sound Recording. It won none, but the score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold is considered one of his finest compositions and has been re-recorded numerous times since.
Olivia de Havilland was first considered for the role of Doña Maria, but she balked at starring in yet another Errol Flynn film. The role then went to Brenda Marshall, who had made her film debut only a year before. Despite this auspicious beginning to her career, she never became a Hollywood success story, although she stayed in the limelight to some extent due to her marriage to William Holden.

Brenda Marshall, Errol Flynn
Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson) gave an inspiring and rousing speech that had a very contemporary message for audiences in 1940—that all free men have a duty to defend liberty, and the world does not belong to any one man, but to all men. Designed to inspire British audiences, it very well may have had an impact on American viewers as well, many of whom were sharply divided in their beliefs about America’s role in the war in Europe. Sir Winston Churchill was said to have been moved by the movie as a whole, which was released at a time when the British were facing grave danger from Hitler.
No doubt one of Flynn’s greatest adventure films, The Sea Hawk delivers more than standard pirate fare. It is a look into an emerging world view at the time of the film’s release and the fears of many. Flynn is, as always, striking as the privateer and romantic lead; his popularity over the years is clearly understood.
I remember seeing part of this on TV. Such a great cast. Donald Crisp–gosh, what a name from the past.
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The supporting cast is really incredible! As are the stars.
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This is my favorite Flynn movie and my favorite swashbuckler! Love Robin Hood and Captain Blood, but I thought this was a tad better. The sword fight near the end is breathtaking. And yes, Korngold’s score is fantastic. Thanks for the nice review!
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Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I’d heard it was good and was afraid of being disappointed, but that wasn’t the case at all.
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THANKS FOR REVIEWING THE SEA HAWK BELINDA, MY PARTNER VALERIE AND I ARE GREAT ERROL FANS, GREAT REVIEW. I WRITE SCRIPTS FOR THE BBC AND WOULD LOVE YOU TO REVIEW A NEW TELEVISION CRIME-DRAMA COMING OUT IN THE SPRINGTIME,’McPsycho’ BEING FILMED IN GLASGOW, CHINA
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Hi China, thanks for the comment. I don’t typically review TV shows and don’t get the BBC here, but would be happy to do what I can for you.
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Errol on the high seas. Heaven. I watched this and Captain Blood on UHF-TV as a kid. It was my “Star Wars” of the day, films filled with rogues and heroes and hives of retched scum and villainy.
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Thank goodness for UHF-TV! I got my first taste of classic movies with all the programs they aired.
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What a great film! Especially for the people seeing it when it was made because World War Two was happening. At the beginning of the film you see the king of Spain pointing to a map and saying “ one day this will no longer be a map of the world it will be Spain”. Retiring to Hitler trying to take over the world. And at the end of the film you see the Queen of England ( played by Flora Robson) saying to the people of her country that she will give all she can to hold back the force that’s about to attack us. Her final words are “ And now my loyal subjects a grave duty that confronts us all. To prepare our nation for a war that none of us wants; least of all your Queen. We have tried by all means to overt this war. We have no quarrel with the people of Spain or any other country. But when the ruthless ambition of a man threatens to engulf the world it becomes the solemn obligation of all free men to affirm that the earth belongs not to any one man but to all men. She goes on a little more and end with… a mighty fleet made from the forest of England a Navy for most in the world. Not only in our time but many generations to come.
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