Starring: Vivien Leigh (Cynthia), Flora Robson (Queen Elizabeth I), Laurence Olivier (Michael Ingolby), Leslie Banks (Earl of Leicester), Raymond Massey (Philip of Spain), Tamara Desni (Elena)
Director: William K. Howard
Screenplay: Clemence Dane & Sergei Nolbandov, from the novel by A.E.W. Mason
Executive Producer: Alexander Korda
Running time: 92 minutes (black and white)
Released: Feb. 25, 1937 in London. March 4, 1937 in New York
Reissued: 1949
American Distributor: United Artists
Synopsis: written by Cynthia Molt: "A swashbuckling and historical story, Michael Ingolby is a naval officer; his father is burned to death and accused of being a heretic in the Spanish Inquisition. The son seeks revenge and finds such an opportunity in Queen Elizabeth I. The monarch is in the midst of enemies, court members providing information to Philip of Spain, whose armada will invade England. Michael suggests he go on a mission to Spain to find out who the English traitors are and when the invasion will take place. The queen decides to agree with the plan and becomes annoyed at the attention he pays to her lady-in-waiting, Cynthia. Gaining the confidence of Elena, a noblewoman, and an aristocrat, Don Miguel, Michael learns about the Spanish Armada and the traitors betraying the England queen. He returns to England, scarcely escaping, to name the traitors, and assists in the defeat of the armada. For such heroic efforts, he is knighted by the queen and gains Cynthia’s hand."
Notes: First film with Laurence Olivier and first British film to premiere in L.A
