| Image Alt: | Title Sir Francis Drake title superimposed over The Golden Hind at sea |
| Alt Name: | The Adventures of Sir Francis Drake |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Director: | Clive Donner Harry Booth (1961) |
| Starring: | Terence Morgan |
| Theme Music Composer: | Ivor Slaney |
| Composer: | Ivor Slaney |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 26 |
| List Episodes: |
|
| Executive Producer: | Leslie Harris |
| Producer: | Anthony Bushell |
| Cinematography: | Brendan J. Stafford Jack Mills |
| Runtime: | 25 Mins |
| Company: | Incorporated Television Company |
| Channel: | ITV |
Sir Francis Drake (aka The Adventures of Sir Francis Drake) is a 1961–1962 British adventure television series starring Terence Morgan as Sir Francis Drake, commander of the sailing ship the Golden Hind. As well as battles at sea and sword fights, the series also deals with intrigue at Queen Elizabeth's court.
The series was a joint ABC/ATV production, made at Associated British Elstree Studios and on historical sites in England.
A replica of the Golden Hind was constructed at a cost of £25,000 and was used for filming in and around the bays of Torbay and Dartmouth. In 1963 the ship was permanently moored in Brixham harbour in Devon where it became a tourist attraction.[1] The ship was destroyed in a storm in 1987, after which it was towed to Dartmouth and replaced with the current replica.[2]
Historical research was provided by E. Hayter Preston. Beatrice Dawson designed the many period costumes worn in the show. Ian Stuart Black was story editor. The fight scenes were arranged by Peter Diamond, who also appeared in four episodes.
The series was originally shown on UK network ATV from 12 November 1961, until 20 May 1962. It later aired in the US on NBC from 24 June 1962, to 9 September 1962 as a summer replacement for Car 54, Where Are You?.[3] In 2020, it began being broadcast on Talking Pictures TV.
Airdate is for ATV London[4] ITV regions varied date and order.
| Episode # | Prod # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate |
|---|
The complete series is out on DVD and includes a still showing Terence Morgan as Sir Francis Drake playing bowls, alluding to the famous incident when the Spanish Armada was sighted.