Fire Over England

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Fire Over England

Released Jan 8, 1937

1h 29m

History

Drama

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3 Reviews

51%

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500+ Ratings

Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson) is dealing with her country's deteriorating relationship with Spain. Michael Ingolby (Laurence Olivier), a naval officer whose father was killed fighting the Spanish, volunteers to go undercover in the Spanish court and learns plans are afoot to send an armada to ambush the British navy. Meanwhile, the aging Elizabeth, who has fallen for the dashing Ingolby, struggles with the fact that he is fixated on one of her beautiful ladies-in-waiting (Vivien Leigh).

Pare Lorentz

McCall's

Fire Over England is one of those rare things -- a fine job of collaboration on the part of actors, writers, costumers, musicians, technicians and producers, but director Howard deserves most of the credit for the picture.

Oct 30, 2023

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Elaborate and exciting historical drama, with Flora Robson in a fine high-and-mighty performance as Good Queen Bess.

Jul 22, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 12, 2005

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Robert R

Old British staged reenactment of 16th Century Queen Elizabeth and her relationship with the aggressive Spanish King. Flora Robson with great grace shared the Queens response to the Spanish Armada and to victory. Vivian Leigh was frightening beautiful in her portrayal of the a beautiful queen’s consort. Laurence Oliver obviously was not prepared to be a film actor. His stage performance was not well received and was poorly performed. He was the primary reason why this unique film lost its focus and is not well remembered. We all know full why this one particular regrettable performance was never repeated. With the help of director William Wyler he found his film actor-rhythm in 1939 production of Weathering Heights and became the historic actor we all adore.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

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Steve D

The best actors are given the least to do.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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deke p

Interesting. Queen Elizabeth scene when she rallied her troops against the spanish Armada / invasion was used in WW2 for English prop vs Hitler. But that scene was a bit of a disappointment, imho. 1937. From the Anglophile viewpoint. Saw first time tv pbs 2-2017. Vivien Leigh was young and beautiful. This led to her starring in gone with the Wind.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Not the best interpretation of this specific historical period in England's time, but filled with some good acting and good cinematography. Sometimes the plot is a bit confusing, and I am not sure who is a Spaniard and who is British.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Another good story dealing with the reign of Elizabeth I. Though the character Olivier plays is fictional, the story's still there.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

Solid historical drama with the added attraction of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh at the height of their beauty.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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William K. Howard

Director

Laurence Olivier

Michael Ingolby

Flora Robson

Queen Elizabeth I of England

Vivien Leigh

Cynthia

Leslie Banks

Robert Dudley

Raymond Massey

King Philip II of Spain

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Synopsis

Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson) is dealing with her country's deteriorating relationship with Spain. Michael Ingolby (Laurence Olivier), a naval officer whose father was killed fighting the Spanish, volunteers to go undercover in the Spanish court and learns plans are afoot to send an armada to ambush the British navy. Meanwhile, the aging Elizabeth, who has fallen for the dashing Ingolby, struggles with the fact that he is fixated on one of her beautiful ladies-in-waiting (Vivien Leigh).

Director: William K. Howard
Production Co: London Film Production
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 8, 1937, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 29m

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