Sir Francis Drake (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Sir Francis Drake was a British adventure television series starring Terence Morgan
as Sir Francis Drake
, commander of the sailing ship the Golden Hind
. As well as battles at sea, sword fights, the series also deals with intrigue at Elizabeth's court, often caused by Spaniard, Mendoza.
from November 12, 1961 till April 29, 1962 and later aired on NBC
from June 24, 1962 to September 9, 1962. The 26 episodes were half-hour (actually 25 minutes) long and were a joint ABC
/ATV production, made at Elstree Studios
and on historical sites in England. More money was spent on this series than The Buccaneers
series. Historical research was by E. Hayter Preston. Ivor Slaney
directed the theme tune, which is the only background music played in the shows. Beatrice Dawson designed the many period costumes worn in the show. Produced by Anthony Bushell
, directed by Clive Donner
and Harry Booth
(1961) and story editor was Ian Stuart Black
, fights arranged by Peter Diamond. A harbour scene often shown has a painted background, models are used and as in The Bridge, film of a ship is used behind real people on a stage.
The complete series is out on DVD in Region 2. With the DVD collection is a stills gallery. One shows Morgan as Drake playing bowls, alluding to the famous incident when the Spanish Armada
was sighted.
regions varied date and order.
Terence Morgan
Terence Ivor Grant Morgan was an English actor in theatre, cinema and television. He was the nephew of British character actor Verne Morgan...
as Sir Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...
, commander of the sailing ship the Golden Hind
Golden Hind
The Golden Hind was an English galleon best known for its circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake...
. As well as battles at sea, sword fights, the series also deals with intrigue at Elizabeth's court, often caused by Spaniard, Mendoza.
Production
The series was originally shown on UK network ATVAssociated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
from November 12, 1961 till April 29, 1962 and later aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from June 24, 1962 to September 9, 1962. The 26 episodes were half-hour (actually 25 minutes) long and were a joint ABC
Associated British Corporation
Associated British Corporation was one of a number of commercial television companies established in the United Kingdom during the 1950s by cinema chain companies in an attempt to safeguard their business by becoming involved with television which was taking away their cinema audiences.In this...
/ATV production, made at Elstree Studios
Elstree Studios
"Elstree Studios" refers to any of several film studios that were based in the towns of Borehamwood and Elstree in Hertfordshire, England, since film production begun in 1927.-Name:...
and on historical sites in England. More money was spent on this series than The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers (TV series)
The Buccaneers was a 1956 Sapphire Films television drama series for ITC Entertainment, networked by CBS in the US and shown on ATV and selected ITV companies in the UK....
series. Historical research was by E. Hayter Preston. Ivor Slaney
Ivor Slaney
Ivor Ernst Slaney was a prolific musical composer and conductor, notable for his work in film, television and radio....
directed the theme tune, which is the only background music played in the shows. Beatrice Dawson designed the many period costumes worn in the show. Produced by Anthony Bushell
Anthony Bushell
Anthony Bushell was an English film actor and director, who appeared in 56 films between 1929 and 1961. He also appeared on and directed various British TV series such as Danger Man.-Early life:...
, directed by Clive Donner
Clive Donner
Clive Stanley Donner was a British film director who was a defining part of the British New Wave, directing films such as The Caretaker, Nothing But the Best, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and What's New Pussycat?...
and Harry Booth
Harry Booth
Harry Booth, born in London, England is a film director, film producer, screenwriter and editor. He began his film career in 1941.-Director:*Ben Hall TV episode *Going Dutch aka Op de Hollandse toer...
(1961) and story editor was Ian Stuart Black
Ian Stuart Black
Ian Stuart Black was a novelist, playwright and screenwriter. Both his 1959 novel In the Wake of a Stranger and his 1962 novel about the Cyprus emergency The High Bright Sun were made into films, Black writing the screenplays in each case.He also wrote scripts for several British television...
, fights arranged by Peter Diamond. A harbour scene often shown has a painted background, models are used and as in The Bridge, film of a ship is used behind real people on a stage.
The complete series is out on DVD in Region 2. With the DVD collection is a stills gallery. One shows Morgan as Drake playing bowls, alluding to the famous incident when the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
was sighted.
Cast and characters
- Terence MorganTerence MorganTerence Ivor Grant Morgan was an English actor in theatre, cinema and television. He was the nephew of British character actor Verne Morgan...
as Sir Francis DrakeFrancis DrakeSir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the... - Jean KentJean KentJean Kent is a British film actress who appeared in a number of the Gainsborough melodramas of the 1940s.-Biography:Jean Kent was born in Brixton, London as Joan Mildred Summerfield. She started her theatrical career as a dancer in 1931. Initially, she used the stage name of Jean Carr when she...
as Queen Elizabeth I - Michael CrawfordMichael CrawfordMichael Crawford OBE is an English actor and singer. He has garnered great critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his career, which covers radio, television, film, and stagework on both London's West End and on Broadway in New York City...
as John Drake - Roger DelgadoRoger DelgadoRoger Caesar Marius Bernard de Delgado Torres Castillo Roberto was an English actor, best known for his role as the first Master in Doctor Who....
as Count Bernadino de Mendoza - Patrick McLoughlinPatrick McLoughlinPatrick Allen McLoughlin is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1986, initially for West Derbyshire and since 2010 for its successor, the Derbyshire Dales constituency...
as Trevelyan - Alex ScottAlex Scott (actor)Alex Scott is an Australian–British television actor best known for his appearances in British television productions of the 1960s, including The Avengers, Danger Man, The Saint and the final episode of Randall and Hopkirk .He made over 60 appearances on British TV between 1955 and the 1990s but...
as Don Pedro - Milton ReidMilton ReidMilton Rutherford Reid was an Indian-born English actor and professional wrestler. He was born in India, the son of a Scottish-born Customs and Excise inspector and an Indian woman...
as Diego - Richard Warner as Walsingham
- Ewan RobertsEwan Roberts-Selected filmography:* The Man in the White Suit * Angels One Five * Derby Day * The Titfield Thunderbolt * Night of the Demon * What a Whopper * The Day of the Triffids...
as Munro - Howard LangHoward LangHoward Lang was a British actor best known for playing Captain William Baines in the BBC nautical drama The Onedin Line. He served for seven years in the Royal Navy during World War II....
as Richard Grenville. - Glynn EdwardsGlynn EdwardsGlynn Edwards is a British actor.Edwards was born in Malaya and trained as an actor at Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop. He is probably best known for his role as Dave 'the barman' Harris, owner of the Winchester Club in the TV show Minder...
as Will Martin
Episode list
Airdate is for ATV London ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
regions varied date and order.
| Episode # | Prod # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate |
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