The heart-pounding tone of Michael Curtiz's classic swashbuckling adventure THE SEA HAWK is established moments after the opening credits, when 16th century British pirate captain Geoffrey Thorpe (Errol Flynn) leads a thrilling raid on the galleon of a Spanish ambassador. When the roiling, chaotic clash is over, Thorpe's men have captured the ambassador and Thorpe has learned the Spanish are planning to wage war against England. He rushes home to warn Queen Elizabeth (Flora Robson), only to find that certain powerful members of the Queen's court, concerned with his pirating tactics (and pursuing their own selfish agendas) have ordered Thorpe be put on trial.
