The Sea Hawk
Cannons thunder, blades clatter and Erich Wolfgang Korngold's incomparable music swirls and flourishes in The Sea Hawk. In one of his best roles, Errol Flynn plays Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe, who commandeers a 40-gun galleon, endures captivity, then boldly escapes to warn England of Spain's armada. Working on his 10th of 12 movies with Flynn, Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) masterfully directs the film's blend of royal intrigue and derring-do heroics - made on a then lavish $1.7 million-scale that included construction of two full-sized ships. The film was stirringly topical in its day. When Queen Elizabeth (Flora Robson) exhorts her country to maintain fighting readiness against tyranny "now and forever," audiences knew forever had come: Hitler had launched his World War II air siege of England.
Member Reviews
Spendid - PowerPipes
As could be assumed this movie really is a classic action flick worthy of solid review. Despite likely being considered dated by some standards this was still a really great movie. The scenes, in particular the actual boats themselves would rival any current “effect” we could muster. The history behind it given its dating almost makes it somewhat of a unique watch with some Brit patriotism.A true classic - eoguy
The Sea Hawk (1940): This is an entertaining swashbuckler about privateers harassing the Spanish shipping lanes at the behest of Queen Elizabeth. It is perhaps fitting, though unfortunate that it is filmed in black and white, instead of color. There is a pallor over the film that did not exist in Captain Blood or Robin Hood that must be an effect of the war. The battle scene at the start of the film is fabulous. However, politicking quickly puts a damper on things as the film then explores the machinations of the Spanish in London. The scene as the Albatross sails off at 3 AM with Dona Maria sadly watching from the shore is wonderful moviemaking. There is more tragedy and loss than you might normally expect from a Flynn film. I liked this change, since it added a depth to this project. In the end, the film had more of a modern tenor to it. There is a fair share of romance, but The Sea Hawk emerges as a story about political intrigue and difficult choices made in times of war. As such, it was truly enjoyable. There were some imperfections to the master due to aging and the sound suffered from some white noise here and there, but the condition of the film was OK overall. The score fit the film and was thoughtfully arranged. I loved this movie. Perhaps if you watch it you will see the seed for one of Michael Curtiz’s other black and white wartime classic, a little film called Casablanca. As such, the direction was excellent. Watch this film through the looking glass of WWII and it takes on new meaning.Johny Depp who? - dmarks36
The extras in the DVD argue a point: no one since Flynn managed to be both credible and campy while ruling the boxoffice. The Sea Hawk is WB, Curtiz and Flynn (including Korngold and the studio production crews) at its zenith of entertainment. Jingoistic, a playful wink at the genre and its forms, and a lead who knows when to smirk, when to wink and when to buckle that swash. The extras alone are worth the price of admission, but the film is pure gold. Jack Sparrow meet Geoffrey Thorp, the true prototype.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Spendid - PowerPipes
As could be assumed this movie really is a classic action flick worthy of solid review. Despite likely being considered dated by some standards this was still a really great movie. The scenes, in particular the actual boats themselves would rival any current ...A true classic - eoguy
The Sea Hawk (1940): This is an entertaining swashbuckler about privateers harassing the Spanish shipping lanes at the behest of Queen Elizabeth. It is perhaps fitting, though unfortunate that it is filmed in black and white, instead of color. There is a pallor ...Johny Depp who? - dmarks36
The extras in the DVD argue a point: no one since Flynn managed to be both credible and campy while ruling the boxoffice. The Sea Hawk is WB, Curtiz and Flynn (including Korngold and the studio production crews) at its zenith of entertainment. Jingoistic, ...