By Violet LeVoit
Seven Seas to Calais
Brief Synopsis
Sir Francis Drake fights to take over Spain's treasure routes for Queen Elizabeth I.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Rudolph Maté
Director
Rod Taylor
Sir Francis Drake
Keith Michell
Malcolm Marsh
Irene Worth
Queen Elizabeth
Hedy Vessel
Arabella
Basil Dignam
Walsingham
Film Details
Also Known As
Il dominatore dei sette mari
Genre
Drama
Adventure
Biography
Historical
Release Date
Jan
1963
Premiere Information
Los Angeles opening: 6 Mar 1963
Production Company
Adelphia Compagnia Cinematografica
Distribution Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Country
Italy
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 42m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Synopsis
In 1577, England's supremacy on the high seas keeps her from falling under Spanish domination. Though Queen Elizabeth outwardly disapproves of Francis Drake and his band of pirates, she secretly finances his raids against the treasure ships of Spain. After pillaging the gold mines of the Incas and looting Spanish vessels off Panama, Drake lands in California and names the country New Albion. When he makes a triumphant return to England, Elizabeth knights him. Aided by his faithful friend, Malcolm, and Sir Francis Walsingham, Drake thwarts a Spanish plot to murder the queen and replace her with Mary of Scotland. Enraged, King Philip of Spain gives the order for his mighty armada to attack England. But during a storm, Drake turns the tables, and the tattered remnants of the Spanish fleet are forced to retreat. With England safe from invasion, Drake sails off to new adventures.
Cast
Rod Taylor
Sir Francis Drake
Keith Michell
Malcolm Marsh
Irene Worth
Queen Elizabeth
Hedy Vessel
Arabella
Basil Dignam
Walsingham
Anthony Dawson
Burleigh
Gianni Cajafi
Tom Moone
Mario Girotti
Babington
Esmeralda Ruspoli
Mary of Scotland
Marco Guglielmi
Fletcher
Arturo Dominici
Mendoza
Gianni Solaro
Medina Sidonie
Adriano Vitale
Recalde
Bruno Ukmar
Emmanuel
Franco Ukmar
Francisco
Aldo Bufi-landi
Vigeois
Umberto Raho
Philip of Spain
Luciano Melani
Winter
Jacopo Tecchi
Garcia
Giuseppe Abbrescia
Chester
Rossella D'aquino
Potato
Anna Santarsiero
Luciana Gilli
Other Indian wives
Crew
Eros Bacciucchi
Special Effects
Vittorio Bernini
Camera
Nicola Cantatore
Art Director
Luciano Cattania
Production Manager
Franco Fraticelli
Film Editor
Lindsay Galloway
Story & Screenplay
Giulio Gianini
Director of Photography
Maurizio Giustini
Makeup
Anna Gruber
Screenplay girl
Franco Mannino
Music comp & Conductor
Giancarlo Marin
Hairdresser
Antonio Martini
Set Decoration
Mario Messina
Sound Director
Paolo Moffa
Executive Producer
Gianni Narzisi
2nd unit Photographer
Angelo Pennoni
Stills
Rinaldo Ricci
Assistant Director
Filippo Sanjust
Screenwriter
Filippo Sanjust
Costume Design
Brunello Serena
Set Decoration
George St. George
Screenwriter
Adele Tosi
Set Decoration
Bruno Ukmar
Fencing master
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Hosted Intro
Film Details
Also Known As
Il dominatore dei sette mari
Genre
Drama
Adventure
Biography
Historical
Release Date
Jan
1963
Premiere Information
Los Angeles opening: 6 Mar 1963
Production Company
Adelphia Compagnia Cinematografica
Distribution Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Country
Italy
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 42m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Articles
Seven Seas to Calais -
The final film of Polish-born director Rudolph Maté (a seasoned war horse who got his start as cinematographer on Carl Theodor Dreyer's The Passion Of Joan Of Arc (1928)), this Italian-made Cinemascope adventure about the daring exploits of Sir Francis Drake (Rod Taylor, pre-The Birds (1963)) as he plunders on the high seas for the glory of England and Queen Elizabeth I (Irene Worth) is full of swashbuckling, fancy dress, and tall ships on fire. Shot in Rome, the outrageous and near-operatic sets recall other Maté-directed films like When Worlds Collide (1951), and the naval battles created in miniature by special effects technician Eros Bacciucchi (who later distinguished himself as resident squib-man on many of Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns) are fun in a very real, pre-computer graphics way.
By Violet LeVoit
By Violet LeVoit
Seven Seas to Calais -
The final film of Polish-born director Rudolph Maté (a seasoned war horse who got his start as cinematographer on Carl Theodor Dreyer's The Passion Of Joan Of Arc (1928)), this Italian-made Cinemascope adventure about the daring exploits of Sir Francis Drake (Rod Taylor, pre-The Birds (1963)) as he plunders on the high seas for the glory of England and Queen Elizabeth I (Irene Worth) is full of swashbuckling, fancy dress, and tall ships on fire. Shot in Rome, the outrageous and near-operatic sets recall other Maté-directed films like When Worlds Collide (1951), and the naval battles created in miniature by special effects technician Eros Bacciucchi (who later distinguished himself as resident squib-man on many of Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns) are fun in a very real, pre-computer graphics way.
By Violet LeVoit
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Copyright length: 99 min. Opened in Rome in August 1962 as Il dominatore dei sette mari. Anthony Dawson is a pseudonym for Antonio Margheriti.
