The situation for England is perilous. Still reeling from its own Protestant-Catholic strife, England is a second-rate power under constant threat from Spain’s mighty Armada. (In 1588, the Spanish Armada sailed against Elizabeth I’s England.) With unflinching resolve and magisterial bravery, Queen Elizabeth survives assassins and traitors to instill in her people the pride and courage necessary to defeat Spain and define the greatness of England. The setting and the astonishing period costumes notwithstanding, this film is not really a history. Rather, it is the foremost dramatic presentation about projecting strength of personality as worldly power – and no one will ever equal, much less surpass, Flora Robson’s depiction of Queen Elizabeth. Raymond Massey is stunningly reptilian as King Philip of Spain, and this movie is also of interest for the as yet unrefined-for-film acting of Laurence Olivier and the always beautiful Vivien Leigh. And, in addition, there is, of course, the music by Richard Addinsell.
It’s Robson who steals this show. She may not be as stunning as her co-stars, but she’s by turns charming, earthy and surprisingly vulnerable, with a crackling wit. She’s perfect as Elizabeth – a role she reprised three years later, in Errol Flynn vehicle The Sea Hawk. Though Fire Over England is fictionalised, it’s entertaining and has a decent grasp of the historical context. Moreover, its Elizabeth is one of the finest you’ll see on screen. – The Guardian
Before they were an item, before they were a couple, before they were man and wife, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh starred in Fire Over England (1937). It’s fun rubbish, an Alexander Korda production with the Spanish Armada played by model ships in a tank in Denham Studios, and more intrigues in boudoirs than at court. Today, it’s chiefly remembered for the benevolently dominating Queen Elizabeth I of Flora Robson. – Turner Classic Movies
Starring Flora Robson, Raymond Massey, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh.