Sir Francis Drake (TV series)

Sir Francis Drake (aka The Adventures of Sir Francis Drake) was a British adventure television series starring Terence Morgan as Sir Francis Drake, commander of the sailing ship the Golden Hind which was only a small ship as can be seen from the replica at Southend-on-Sea in England. As well as battles at sea, sword fights and such, the series also deals with intrigue at Elizabeth's court, often caused by the wily Spaniard, Mendoza. The complete series is out on DVD which is where this information comes from.

The series was originally shown on the ATV from 12 November 1961 till 29 April 1962 and later aired on NBC from 24 June 1962 to 9 September 1962. The 26 Episodes were half-hour (actually 25 minutes) long and were a joint ABC/ATV production and was made at Elstree Studios and "on actual sites in England" ("England" was quickly replaced with "Great Britain"). It looks like more money was spent on this series than The Buccaneers series. Historical research by E. Hayter Preston. Ivor Slaney directed the excellent music (also the notable theme tune) and Beatrice Dawson designed the many period costumes worn in the show. Produced by Anthony Bushell, directed by Clive Donner and story editor was Ian Stuart Black. Elizabeth's throne room looks like a real palace was used for these scenes from the finery and what is seen through the windows behind the actors.

Cast

• Terence Morgan as Sir Francis Drake
• Jean Kent as Queen Elizabeth I
• Michael Crawford as John Drake
• Roger Delgado as Count Bernadino de Mendoza
• Patrick Mc Loughlin as Trevelyan
• Alex Scott as Don Pedro
• Milton Reid as Diego
• Richard Warner as Walsingham
• Ewan Roberts as Munro
• Howard Lang as Grenville.

Episode 1 has the Golden Hind sink a Spanish ship and prisoners are bought aboard. Among them Countess Inez (Natasha Parry) who plans to repay Drake's kindnesses by sinking his ship using a long fuse made by Roberto (Warren Mitchell) from her cabin to the ship's gunpowder stored below. Drake evacuates his ship as time for it's sinking comes close, staying on board with the Countess. Episode 2. Not a lot happens. Drake pleads the case of the Virginia colony to Elizabeth against Daniel Peters Charles Lloyd Pack who only wants any gold found and wants the colony shut down, and Walsingham (Richard Warner). We see Mendoza (who is Spanish Ambassador to the court) for the first time. They discover a stowaway aboard on the way to Virginia, (Olive McFarland) who they take to her husband to be Tom Brewster (Barry Foster). The colonists leave as they have had enough of Indian attacks and bad supplies. Also starred Glyn Edwards as Martin Armstrong, Fred Johnson as Parson Main, Ruth Lodge as Mistress Seaton, John Walsh as Governor Walters and William Peacock as Lambert.

Episode 3 and not a ship in sight. Elizabeth is worried about Mary, Queen of Scots (who she eventually had executed)(played by Noelle Middleton). Walsingham decides it is time to get Mary out of the way and has his henchman, Thomas Phillips (Harvey Hall forge a letter from her to make it look like she wants Elizabeth dead. Drake is sent to check on this but is imprisoned by her captor, Sir Amyas Paulet (Alfred Burke) who is in on the plot too. A great improvement on episode 2. Episode 4 starts with Doctor Dee (Raymond Huntley) entertaining Elizabeth and her court with some magic tricks. Mendoza's man, Don Pedro steals all Dee's papers and he is forced to make a false astrology chart so the superstitious Queen refuses to allow Drake to sail to Ostend where some Spanish ships are holed up and rescue some English prisoners on them as well as liberating the captured cargo. Drake has to get the papers back for Dee before he can sail. Also stars Michael Golden as Rafe and Edward Cast as captain of the Guard. Episode 4 also has Michael Crawford singing "Greensleeves".

Episode 5 has Drake trying to persuade Elizabeth to let him raid Santo Domingo (now capital of the island, Dominican Republic) where the fort is not yet fully armed and is loaded with gold. Elizabeth refuses as she does not want to upset Spain. Meanwhile, her emissary, Lord Westbrook (Patrick Holt) is imprisoned at the fort. Drake decides to bring in Sir Richard Bosanquet (Richard Pearson) banker, to finance a mission behind Elizabeth's back, to Santo Domingo knowing that if he succeeds, Elizabeth will forgive him but if he fails, she will behead him. Also stars Michael Peake as The (Spanish) Governor, Leon Peers as Eastwood, Joanne Dainton as Laura. Episode 6. A favourite of the Queen and a young fool, Lord Oakeshott (played by a bearded David McCallum) turns into an even worse lovesick young fool. Held by a Countess (Delphi Lawrence) in a prison in Calais, Ambassador Mendoza in his slimy way threatens the Queen that King Phillip will have the French execute Oakeshott unless Drake (or "El Drako", the English Dragon of the title) is hung. It is up to Drake to release Oakeshott, despite Mendoza's and Oakeshott's efforts to stop him doing so. Also stars Henry Vidon as The Prefect and Howard Lang as Grenville.

Episode 7 has Elizabeth send her godson, Jack Harrington (Michael Anderson) on a mission as an emissary to deliver a message to an ambassador in Portugal (Clive Morton) not knowing that the Spanish have just invaded Portugal. Drake and Jack find themselves in an inn full of Spanish soldiers where the ambassador is held captive. There was a point early in the story where it was shown that the ships's crew lived on very poor food. In the sword fight near the end, the ship's cook (Victor Maddern) is seen grabbing all the Spanish food he could to take back to the ship. It would have been expected that there would be a great meal at the end using this food instead of the usual gruel and weevil infested ship's biscuits but possibly time did not allow for it. There were two models used to show Royal residences of the time. Also starred John Moffatt as a Spanish Captain, Timothy Pearce as a Spanish soldier and Isobel Black as Sophia. Episode 8 has Drake taking provisions to the 500 men in the Dutch garrison at Blankenberg who are keeping the Spanish at bay. After a disasterous first trip, Drake returns to find out that there are only 13 men (from the original 35) defending the garrison and Sir Miles (Lawrence Naismith) has been pocketing the money. Patrick Wymark as Captain Williams (of the garrison), Peter Diamond as Bo'sun, Bill Dancy as Master Gunner, Brian Cant as Corporal, Grodon Gardner as Lacey and Michael Bell as Captain of the Guard.

Episode 9 has King Phillip II's (Zia Mohyeddin) 15 year old son, Carlos (Joseph Cuby) due to marry Mariella of Naples (Francesca Annis) to ally Italy with Spain. Mariella is a young girl who is horrified with the very nasty brat, Carlos who even his father has contempt for. Help is on hand in the form of Drake who is sent as the Queen's emissary to the wedding. To make sure Drake is safe, the Duke of Cordova (John Arnatt) is a "guest" of Elizabeth in England and Cordova knows many of Phillip's invasion plans for England so Drake is safe in his enemy's hands. However, Cordova has bribed his way free and has now returned to Spain meaning Drake is now in great danger. Also stars Bryan Coleman as Ambassador Wenham, Catherine Woodville as daughter Anne/Suzanne. Episode 10. Sir Martin Amyas (Neil McCallum), a young inventor has made a flame thrower to clear weeds from gardens but the Queen sees it's potential as a weapon of war which can burn the Spanish fleet and orders him to make more flame throwers for English ships. Amyas is an idealist and is horrified that his invention could be used to kill people. That night a friar persuades Amyas to run away but the friar turns out to a Spaniard, Count Julio (William Lucas) who plans to deliver him and his invention to Spain. Also stars Richard Huggett as Alonzo and Helen Christie as Lady Amyas.

Episode 11 has Roger Delgado as the villain again but here he is Governor, Don Frederico Martinez di Acuna of Villa Real, King Phillip's viceroy to Santa Marta. He drugs guest John Hawkings (Ronald Leigh-Hunt) and frames him for theft, threatening to cut off his hand and hang him if Drake does not give up the Golden Hind as ransom for his life. However Drake has a plan. Also Marie Burke as Dona Inez, Maureen Moore as Isabel, Pauline Letts as Dona Clara, John Bennett (actor) as Tomas and Will Stampe as Don Gonzalo.

Episodes

• 1. The Prisoner.
• 2. The Lost Colony of Virginia.
• 3. Queen of Scots.
• 4. Doctor Dee.
• 5. Bold Enterprise.
• 6. The English Dragon.
• 7. Boy Jack.
• 8. The Garrison.
• 9. Visit to Spain.
• 10. The Flame Thrower.
• 11. The Governor's Revenge.
• 12. Slaves of Spain.
• 13. The Doughty Plot.
• 14. King of America.
• 15. The Irish Pirate.
• 16. Beggars of the Sea.
• 17. Drake on Trial.
• 18. The Bridge.
• 19. Johnnie Factotum.
• 20. Mission to Paris.
• 21. The Reluctant Duchess.
• 22. The Gypsies.
• 23. Court Intrigue.
• 24. Gentleman of Spain.
• 25. The Fountain of Youth.
• 26. Escape.

References

• Alex McNeil, Total Television. New York City: Penguin Books, 1984 ed.

External links

• Sir Francis Drake at IMDb