Raphael Sabatini wrote several dozen wonderful adventure novels in the early 20th century. They were very popular and are a nice blend of action, adventure, romance and history. I've read about 30 of them and enjoyed every one of them. Most have never been made into films, but a few (such as "Captain Blood" and "The Black Swan") have. In the case of "The Sea Hawk", Hollywood made their own version and a few years later DIDN'T. Let me explain. The 1924 version of "The Sea Hawk" is pretty close to Sabatini's novel. However, the more famous Errol Flynn version from 1940 is practically nothing like the book other than the title. I am not 100% sure why they did this--the original story was exciting. I suspect, however, that Warner Brothers used an entirely different story and kept the title because this was intended as pure propaganda. At the time, Britain was at war with the Nazis and the film was meant to glorify the British fighting spirit against all odds--including Spanish invaders. The 1940 film is about the time of the Spanish Armada--England's greatest military triumph. Now I am not saying the Flynn film is bad, I love it, but it's NOT the Sabatini story at all. It's a shame, as the Sabatini story is quite exciting.
Milton Sills plays Sir Oliver Tressilian--a man who used to be a privateer for England during the time of Queen Elizabeth. These days are behind him and he's retired to his country estate. He wishes to wed his neighbor, Lady Godolphin, but things always seem to get in the way. First, her family refuses and insult his honor. Then, his own half-brother kills one of the Godolphins and Sir Oliver protects him--only to have his no-good half-brother try to sell him into slavery to the Moors!! However, instead of selling him, the ship's captain (Wallace Beery) becomes friends with Sir Oliver and is about to return him to England...when, a Spanish ship attacks and all of the crew members and Sir Oliver are taken prisoner and made Spanish galley slaves! Eventually, when the ship with Sir Oliver is taken by Barbary pirates (from Muslim North Africa), Sir Oliver is able to work his way up in the Barbary navy to command his own ship. Soon, using the skills he developed as a privateer, he is able to make a huge name for himself. But what about his wicked half-brother and his fiancée? Well, see the film and find out for yourself!! This film has an amazingly complex plot, a wonderful story, very good acting, GREAT costumes...it has it all. And, it's exciting from start to finish--making it one of the best silent epics you can see today. There really isn't much to dislike about this lovely film and I am thrilled that it stayed so faithful to the original source material.
Milton Sills plays Sir Oliver Tressilian--a man who used to be a privateer for England during the time of Queen Elizabeth. These days are behind him and he's retired to his country estate. He wishes to wed his neighbor, Lady Godolphin, but things always seem to get in the way. First, her family refuses and insult his honor. Then, his own half-brother kills one of the Godolphins and Sir Oliver protects him--only to have his no-good half-brother try to sell him into slavery to the Moors!! However, instead of selling him, the ship's captain (Wallace Beery) becomes friends with Sir Oliver and is about to return him to England...when, a Spanish ship attacks and all of the crew members and Sir Oliver are taken prisoner and made Spanish galley slaves! Eventually, when the ship with Sir Oliver is taken by Barbary pirates (from Muslim North Africa), Sir Oliver is able to work his way up in the Barbary navy to command his own ship. Soon, using the skills he developed as a privateer, he is able to make a huge name for himself. But what about his wicked half-brother and his fiancée? Well, see the film and find out for yourself!! This film has an amazingly complex plot, a wonderful story, very good acting, GREAT costumes...it has it all. And, it's exciting from start to finish--making it one of the best silent epics you can see today. There really isn't much to dislike about this lovely film and I am thrilled that it stayed so faithful to the original source material.