Seven Seas to Calais

Taylor Made Swashbuckler
Warner Archive continues in releasing rare Euro action titles from the sixties this time with actor Rod Taylor as Sir Francis Drake wielding his sword and attitude in Director Rudolph Mate's 'SEVEN SEAS TO CALAIS' aka 'IL DOMINATORE DEI SETTE MARI'- 1962. Co directed by Primo Zeglio, it seems to be a British Italian co-production with a nice mix of genre actors. Joining Taylor is an early film appearance from future Henry VIII actor Keith Michell, the gorgeous Edy Vessal, future Spaghetti Western icon Terence Hill, the great character actor Anthony Dawson, the lethal femininity of Irene Worth as Queen Elizabeth I and slimy Arturo Dominici. Taylor gets captured by the Spanish traveling in the New World for stealing gold and quickly escapes back to England finding spies everywhere in plots to assassinate the Queen. Treachery and sword fights ensue and Director Mate who's career touched many genres including his wonderful Marlene Dietrich vehicle from the forties 'THE FLAME OF NEW...

Seven Seas to Swashbuckling Fun
"Seven Seas to Calais" is among the very best of the "spaghetti swashbucklers", second only to "Swordsman of Siena", in my opinion. Its Italian production and international cast is greatly strengthened by the presence of Australians Rod Taylor as Sir Francis Drake and Keith Michell as Malcolm Marsh, with American Irene Worth as a delightful Queen Elizabeth.

The film opens with a rousing chase through the streets of Plymouth, England, leading to a thrilling sword fight among the skeletons of the ships under construction at the wharf. Unlike other spaghetti swashbucklers, the pacing doesn't flag too badly, though "Seven Seas to Calais" is overlong at 102 minutes.

Still, with its exciting action set pieces, beautiful costumes and period setting, capable leads, sense of humor, and a good (if not great) story, this is confidently recommended for aficionados of swashbucklers and period dramas.

Awesome!!!
This is another must have for all Rod Taylor fans. He is just so handsome in this & some of the stunts that he does are wonderful. The entire movie is wonderful & I have now watched it several times. I love it so much I hope I don't wear out the DVD!!!

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