I admit not knowing much about the part of British history conveyed in "Fire over England." The main interest for me was seeing the two young lovers, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, who began their affair during this film. What a beautiful couple, what a great love, and what a sad end to it. You'd never dream looking at these two what life had in store for them on the personal front."Fire over England" is a 1937 Alexander Korda film that takes place in 1558. Relations between Spain and England are terrible, with the British capturing Spanish gold from the New World. When a scheme to get her off the throne is uncovered, the Queen (Flora Robson) sends a young man, Michael Ingolby (Olivier) undercover to the court of Philip of Spain. Pretending to be a traitor, he is able to get the names of the actual Brits in the pay of the Spanish and learns they want to send the Armada against England.He goes to battle, leading an attack by night on the Armada ships. Meanwhile, he is in love with one of the Queen's ladies in waiting, Cynthia (Leigh) and has the affection of the Queen herself."Fire over England" is an early acting film acting assignment from Laurence Olivier. He is super-handsome and an exuberant, energetic Michael Ingolby, perhaps a bit overdone in spots. This, however, can be forgiven because of the nature of the role. Leigh really doesn't have much to do. Though Selznick allegedly was introduced Vivien Leigh by his brother Myron when Atlanta was burning, a historian made something of the fact that he evidently saw this film beforehand. If he did, there's no way he would have a) remembered Leigh and b) thought of her for Scarlett.All in all, a very interesting film.

Other than the great cinematography by the marvelous James Wong Howe in the battle scenes, this film is a true stinker.This is the second film that I've seen in recent days directed by Alexander Korda. The first was Charles Laughton's "Rembrandt." It was so lousy that I shut it off. This one I'm afraid is not very much better.Flora Robson is as ugly as ever as Queen Elizabeth. Perhaps, her performance as the virgin Queen was good for 1937 standards but when you compare it to that of a Helen Mirren, it is absolutely no match. In robotic fashion, Robson states her lines. Her battle message to the English troops is so lackluster in spirit.Even a dashing Laurence Olivier can't save this utter piece of boredom.Future wife Vivien Leigh is in a supporting role here and she doesn't really convey anything here. To think, that Scarlett was 2 years later!It's a shame that history with the Spanish Armada is made out to be so boring in this film.

Renowned and handsomely-mounted early British spectacular with imposing credentials – producers Alexander Korda and Erich Pommer, cinematographer James Wong Howe, art director Lazare Meerson, special effects creator Ned Mann – and a cast virtually assembling the cream of the crop working in the country at that particular moment – Laurence Olivier, Flora Robson, Leslie Banks, Vivien Leigh, Raymond Massey, Robert Newton, James Mason – all of which is complemented by a suitably rousing score from Richard Addinsell.The narrative revolves around the planned invasion of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I by the Spanish armada of King Philip II (with help from British traitors); the former is magnificently embodied by Robson (who would eventually return to the role in Hollywood for the Errol Flynn vehicle THE SEA HAWK [1940]), while the latter is played by Massey as a sleek but cagey monarch. With one of the dissidents among her ranks (Mason) intercepted, the English Queen appoints a young naval officer (Olivier) – who had just lost his admiral father to the Spanish Inquisition – to assume the conniver's identity and travel to Philip's court in order to obtain the names of his associates and establish the enemy's strategy for attack. Complications arise when one of the Spanish ruler's subordinates (Newton) is revealed to be married to the woman (pretty Tamara Desni – the German-born Russian actress died in France only last month at the venerable age of 97!) who had previously cared for the wounded Olivier, their respective fathers having been the best of friends. Torn between betraying his country or his wife, Newton engineers Olivier's flight home – whereupon the latter receives a knighthood, before being promptly sent by his sovereign (along with the conspirators newly-swayed to patriotic duty) on a mission to destroy the approaching enemy fleet! The film maintains a good balance throughout between romance (thanks to Olivier's matinée idol looks, he's briefly involved with Desni apart from his love interest in England – provided by future wife Leigh, as the Queen's lady-in-waiting, in the first of three on-screen collaborations…though Robson herself is shown carrying a hesitant torch for veteran and devoted chief adviser Banks!), intrigue (in effect at both camps), action (including raids by pirate ships, a couple of chases, discreet swordplay and culminating in the final elaborate fiery offensive) and propaganda (WWII was already looming at this point). While the print I viewed turned out to be anything but pristine, I was grateful to have finally caught this altogether splendid historical epic; incidentally, I'd become acquainted with several wonderful Korda productions over the years on both Italian TV and VHS – but, oddly enough, FIRE OVER ENGLAND itself seldom turned up until now in my neck of the woods!

I remembered the title so well. To me, it was a Flora Robson movie with Olivier and Vivien Leigh in supporting roles. And it had Vincent Massey's voice from behind whiskers. Well Flora Robson was great. Her next signature, for me, would be "55 Days at Peking". The same role but with different sumptuous gowns. And the same voice. As for the Armada, it was a subtext. I like black-and-white films. Was everything done in Elizbethan times at night? It was talky and difficult to fathom, at times. I couldn't tell which was the love interest. Was it the Spaniard or was it Vivien Leigh? And I do not believe that Elizabeth I would have been the brilliant strategist to recommend that fire ships be sent against the Armada. Apparently it worked for the Empire, but not for the script. This might have been more accurate, historically, but Bette Davis had more engaging scripts. And I missed daylight!