Drake of England ( Drake the Pirate )

Drake of England (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Original Title: Drake the Pirate
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
95 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Black & White

Movie filmed in 1935 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Arthur B. Woods

Written By:
Marjorie Deans
Clifford Grey

Actors:
Matheson Lang ..... Francis Drake
Athene Seyler ..... Queen Elizabeth
Jane Baxter ..... Elizabeth Sydenham
Henry Mollison ..... John Doughty
Ben Webster ..... Lord Burghley
Donald Wolfit ..... Thomas Doughty
George Merritt ..... Tom Moore
Amy Veness ..... Mother Moore
Sam Livesey ..... Sir George Sydenham
Margaret Halstan ..... Lady Sydenham
Charles Quatermaine ..... Parson Fletcher
Allan Jeayes ..... Don Bernardino
Gibb McLaughlin ..... Don Enriquez
Helen Haye ..... Lady Lennox
Moore Marriott ..... Bright

Synopsis:

Imposing Canadian-born stage actor and playwright Matheson Lang was one of the twentieth century's greatest Shakespearean players, and became Britain's foremost screen actor during the 1920s; in Drake of England, one of his final films, he takes the title role in Arthur Woods' portrayal of the life and times of the flamboyant piratical adventurer who founded Britain's sea fortunes. From clandestine romance at the court of Elizabeth I (played by Athene Seyler) to conquests in the newly discovered lands of South America and spectacular victory over the Armada, Drake of England (aka Drake the Pirate) offers a panoramic overview of Drake's life. One of very few surviving films directed in the 1930s by the prodigiously talented Woods, it is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the original elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.

The film was made at Elstree Studios, as part of the boom in historical films that followed the global success of The Private Life of Henry VIII. The film was based on the play of the same title by Louis N. Parker. The art direction was by Duncan Sutherland who designed the film's sets. It was given an American release in 1936, when it was distributed by Grand National Pictures.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 15 March, 2015.