Seven Seas to Calais (in Italy Il dominatore dei sette mari) is a 1962 Italian adventure film in Eastmancolor and CinemaScope, produced by Paolo Moffa, directed by Rudolph Maté (his final film) and Primo Zeglio, that stars Rod Taylor, Keith Michell, and Edy Vessel. The film depicts the career of Britain's Sir Francis Drake.

Plot

Sir Francis Drake (Rod Taylor) is one of Queen Elizabeth I of England's (Irene Worth) leading commanders in its battles with longtime adversary Spain over the gold riches found in the New World. He is a privateer who has no problems about raiding those Spanish gold arsenals, as well as a military commander who plans and executes naval battles with the Spanish Armada. He is also a skilled diplomat who knows how to maneuver in courtly circles.

Cast

Main

Uncredited roles

Production

The film was mainly shot at the Titanus Appia Studios in Rome, but some scenes were filmed at the Bay of Naples. While filming, Rod Taylor was dating Anita Ekberg at the time.

Reception

According to MGM records, the film earned $1,250,000 in North America and $1,000,000 in other markets, earning it a profit of $293,000. It had admissions of 534,906 in France.

Biography