"Fire Over England" is a British film that takes place during the late 16th century in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada. The story is an adventure romance mixed with fictional history. It's based on a 1937 novel of the same title by British author Alfred (A. E. W.) Mason. At the time of this film, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party ruled Germany, and had aroused concern and worry by many leaders. Apparently, producer Alexander Korda saw this film as a way to alert and arouse the British as to the Nazi threat. In that regard. Winston Churchill had been wary of and warning about Hitlers military buildup. Indeed, author Mason himself also alluded to that as an incentive for his novel at the time.
But this film clearly portrays in places the hatred of some English people for the Spanish, and hatred of some Spanish for the English. But not all people were hostile toward one another. The film portrays Queen Elizabeth in the best light, and King Philip II of Spain, in the worst light. For a much more objective assessment of King Philip, who ruled Spain from 1556 to 1598 - including his faults and his virtues, I recommend the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Britannica says his portrayal "as a monster of bigotry, ambition, lust, and cruelty is certainly false."
With the fictional characters played by Laurence Olivier (Richard) and Vivien Leigh (Cynthia), for romance and action, the story takes place during just two years - 1587 and 1588. As the prologue to the film reads, Spain was powerful in the Old World master in the New World. And King Philip ruled by force and fear.
As the movie opens, the Spanish are upset about all the pirating of Spanish ships by English rogues Apparently, Richard's father was one of those, and the two are captured after their ship is defeated in a battle. Richard escapes by jumping overboard and swimming to shore. He was wounded in the fight, but makes his way to the home of a Spanish acquaintance and friend of his father's, an admiral in the Spanish navy. He falls for the admiral's daughter, Elena, who is engaged to marry a count. After he learns that his father was executed by the Spanish Inquisition, he flees to England.
Eventually he becomes a spy for Queen Elizbeth and returns to Spain disguised as a traitor, Vane. His purpose is to get the names of the other traitors within the queen's court. Before he can do that, King Philip uncovers his false identity. Ironically, Count Don Pedro, who married the admirals daughter, gives Richard directions to escape. He says, he is forced to choose between his wife or his king. It's at this point that Olivier has some swashbuckling in the film, and he's quite good at it. He gets back to England to uncover the traitors as the queen is going to the front lines to inspire the English who will confront the Spanish Armada.
The fictional ploy about the traitors all recanting and then being pardoned to serve the queen is quite a far-fetched stretch. But they sail off with Olivier's Richard as captains of the fire ships that will destroy and defeat the Armada.
Back home afterwards, Richard and Cynthia are reunited in their love. Leigh's part in this film has been as a lady in waiting on the queen. To give it a little meat, her character has some confrontations with her majesty, and she is the granddaughter of Burleigh, who is the royal treasurer of the time. And, the queen walks in on the two when they are amorously engaged a few times. This was really a lightweight role for Leigh. But it apparently was the film that propelled Olivier and Leigh to stardom. It was also the start of their extra-marital affair, before they were divorced and then wed in 1940.
Here are some lines form the film.
Spanish ambassador, "But, your grace, you must listen." Queen Elizabeth, "Must? Little man, little man! Must is not a word to use to princes."
Elena, "I'm not going back to bed yet."
Elena's Governess, "But, for the future, Senorita, remember this - a Spanish lady may retire, but she never goes to bed."
Queen Elizabeth, to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, "You do well to be jealous. He is stronger than you. You are... today. He is tomorrow.
Queen Elizabeth, "Oh, Robin. That sin goes up with me crying, Mary of Scotland." Earl of Leicester, "No sin of yours. Her life was forfeit." Queen, "I could have saved her but I let her perish. Well, I pay for it. Five times, Robin, I have stood to be shot at. And still I live."
Queen Elizabeth, to the Spanish ambassador, "You must forgive him, your excellency. His father's ashes have blown into his eyes and blinded him."
King Philip of Spain, "Only by fear can the people be made to do their duty. And not always then."
Richard, posing as Vane, "I hope to deserve your majesty's trust." King Philip, "Trust? I do not trust you, sir. I do not trust any man."
Don Pedro, "You force me to choose between betraying my country or my wife. I'm obliged to help you."
Don Pedro, "You see, Elena, the whole trouble comes from treating your enemies like human beings. Don't you see, my dear, that if you do that, they cease to be enemies. Think what that leads to, The end of patriotism. It's the end of war. It's the end ... of everything. Now, do you see?"
Queen Elizabeth, "I have seen blacker fears turn to hope. Hope on until you know there is none."
Cynthia, "We have a right to be happy. Everyone has a right to be happy." Michael. Michael, "Everyone, yes. That is why we can't be."
But this film clearly portrays in places the hatred of some English people for the Spanish, and hatred of some Spanish for the English. But not all people were hostile toward one another. The film portrays Queen Elizabeth in the best light, and King Philip II of Spain, in the worst light. For a much more objective assessment of King Philip, who ruled Spain from 1556 to 1598 - including his faults and his virtues, I recommend the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Britannica says his portrayal "as a monster of bigotry, ambition, lust, and cruelty is certainly false."
With the fictional characters played by Laurence Olivier (Richard) and Vivien Leigh (Cynthia), for romance and action, the story takes place during just two years - 1587 and 1588. As the prologue to the film reads, Spain was powerful in the Old World master in the New World. And King Philip ruled by force and fear.
As the movie opens, the Spanish are upset about all the pirating of Spanish ships by English rogues Apparently, Richard's father was one of those, and the two are captured after their ship is defeated in a battle. Richard escapes by jumping overboard and swimming to shore. He was wounded in the fight, but makes his way to the home of a Spanish acquaintance and friend of his father's, an admiral in the Spanish navy. He falls for the admiral's daughter, Elena, who is engaged to marry a count. After he learns that his father was executed by the Spanish Inquisition, he flees to England.
Eventually he becomes a spy for Queen Elizbeth and returns to Spain disguised as a traitor, Vane. His purpose is to get the names of the other traitors within the queen's court. Before he can do that, King Philip uncovers his false identity. Ironically, Count Don Pedro, who married the admirals daughter, gives Richard directions to escape. He says, he is forced to choose between his wife or his king. It's at this point that Olivier has some swashbuckling in the film, and he's quite good at it. He gets back to England to uncover the traitors as the queen is going to the front lines to inspire the English who will confront the Spanish Armada.
The fictional ploy about the traitors all recanting and then being pardoned to serve the queen is quite a far-fetched stretch. But they sail off with Olivier's Richard as captains of the fire ships that will destroy and defeat the Armada.
Back home afterwards, Richard and Cynthia are reunited in their love. Leigh's part in this film has been as a lady in waiting on the queen. To give it a little meat, her character has some confrontations with her majesty, and she is the granddaughter of Burleigh, who is the royal treasurer of the time. And, the queen walks in on the two when they are amorously engaged a few times. This was really a lightweight role for Leigh. But it apparently was the film that propelled Olivier and Leigh to stardom. It was also the start of their extra-marital affair, before they were divorced and then wed in 1940.
Here are some lines form the film.
Spanish ambassador, "But, your grace, you must listen." Queen Elizabeth, "Must? Little man, little man! Must is not a word to use to princes."
Elena, "I'm not going back to bed yet."
Elena's Governess, "But, for the future, Senorita, remember this - a Spanish lady may retire, but she never goes to bed."
Queen Elizabeth, to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, "You do well to be jealous. He is stronger than you. You are... today. He is tomorrow.
Queen Elizabeth, "Oh, Robin. That sin goes up with me crying, Mary of Scotland." Earl of Leicester, "No sin of yours. Her life was forfeit." Queen, "I could have saved her but I let her perish. Well, I pay for it. Five times, Robin, I have stood to be shot at. And still I live."
Queen Elizabeth, to the Spanish ambassador, "You must forgive him, your excellency. His father's ashes have blown into his eyes and blinded him."
King Philip of Spain, "Only by fear can the people be made to do their duty. And not always then."
Richard, posing as Vane, "I hope to deserve your majesty's trust." King Philip, "Trust? I do not trust you, sir. I do not trust any man."
Don Pedro, "You force me to choose between betraying my country or my wife. I'm obliged to help you."
Don Pedro, "You see, Elena, the whole trouble comes from treating your enemies like human beings. Don't you see, my dear, that if you do that, they cease to be enemies. Think what that leads to, The end of patriotism. It's the end of war. It's the end ... of everything. Now, do you see?"
Queen Elizabeth, "I have seen blacker fears turn to hope. Hope on until you know there is none."
Cynthia, "We have a right to be happy. Everyone has a right to be happy." Michael. Michael, "Everyone, yes. That is why we can't be."