The film is a historical drama set during the reign of Elizabeth I (Flora Robson), focusing on the English defeat of the Spanish Armada, whence the title. In 1588, relations between Spain and England are at the breaking point. With the support of Queen Elizabeth I, British sea raiders such as Sir Francis Drake regularly capture Spanish merchantmen bringing gold from the New World.
Flora Robson
as Queen Elizabeth I of England
Raymond Massey
as King Philip II of Spain
Leslie Banks
as The Earl of Leicester
Laurence Olivier
as Michael Ingolby
Vivien Leigh
as Cynthia
Morton Selten
as Lord Burleigh
Tamara Desni
as Elena
Lyn Harding
as Sir Richard Ingolby
George Thirlwell
as Mr. Lawrence Gregory
Henry Oscar
as Spanish Ambassador
Robert Rendel
as Don Miguel
Robert Newton
as Don Pedro
