Drake of England

For a 1935 British film Drake of England was a very solid attempt at a serious historic drama. Tells the tale of the famous sea captain Sir Francis Drake, and manages to give it the energy needed to make it intriguing. Doesn't exactly have great screen personalities, but from a theatrical point of view they portray their characters like heavyweights. At times they do try a little too hard compared to what limitations they had to work with, but it all comes off rather well.