Hornblower: Duty Review
25 June 2013
Here we are…. at the end of the Hornblower journey. I’m a little sad that we’re no longer going to be travelling with Horatio on his adventures over the sea… :(
Again, we meet old characters from previous films, devious villains, stowaways, and a pretty bride. :)
*This review may contain spoilers from the seven previous Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
Hornblower is filled with trepidation on his wedding day, but he has given his word - how could he dishonour his bride Maria and live with himself?
Admiral Pellew gives Hornblower little time to ponder his new state of matrimony as he sends him off immediately to search for the missing sloop Grasshopper, captained by their old friend, Bracegirdle.
Hornblower does indeed locate the wreck of the Grasshopper and its sole survivor, a crushed and defeated Captain Bracegirdle. Hornblower is forced to sail into dangerous waters, as the fog descends and the snow falls, to attack the French vessels poised once more for an invasion.
Waiting patiently in England, Maria has her own momentous news for Hornblower...
Again, we meet old characters from previous films, devious villains, stowaways, and a pretty bride. :)
*This review may contain spoilers from the seven previous Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
Hornblower is filled with trepidation on his wedding day, but he has given his word - how could he dishonour his bride Maria and live with himself?
Admiral Pellew gives Hornblower little time to ponder his new state of matrimony as he sends him off immediately to search for the missing sloop Grasshopper, captained by their old friend, Bracegirdle.
Hornblower does indeed locate the wreck of the Grasshopper and its sole survivor, a crushed and defeated Captain Bracegirdle. Hornblower is forced to sail into dangerous waters, as the fog descends and the snow falls, to attack the French vessels poised once more for an invasion.
Waiting patiently in England, Maria has her own momentous news for Hornblower...
SCENERY
As usual, the scenery isn't too much to speak of. There is a little in Portsmouth, a lot on the ocean, and some on the French coast on Horatio's journey to find Captain Bracegirdle.
As usual, the scenery isn't too much to speak of. There is a little in Portsmouth, a lot on the ocean, and some on the French coast on Horatio's journey to find Captain Bracegirdle.
STORY
First, I apologize that there is no trailer. If you find a good one (or make one... :P) let me know :)
Okay, this last Hornblower film begins with a terribly nervous Captain Hornblower preparing for his wedding day. He expresses doubt in his decision to marry Maria, but he gave his word to Maria and stands firm. During his wedding reception, Admiral Pellew visits him with a new commission: to search for Captain Bracegirdle. The captain had been watching the coast of France for a while, and was now missing. Horatio was to discover what had happened to him, and what he had discovered.
First, I apologize that there is no trailer. If you find a good one (or make one... :P) let me know :)
Okay, this last Hornblower film begins with a terribly nervous Captain Hornblower preparing for his wedding day. He expresses doubt in his decision to marry Maria, but he gave his word to Maria and stands firm. During his wedding reception, Admiral Pellew visits him with a new commission: to search for Captain Bracegirdle. The captain had been watching the coast of France for a while, and was now missing. Horatio was to discover what had happened to him, and what he had discovered.
On the way to the French coast and during a storm, Horatio encounters a young couple with a hired man in a rowing boat. There is a lot of mystery around the identity of this couple, particularly the husband, that throws the English diplomatic service and Horatio's crew into a frenzy.
When Horatio discovers Captain Bracegirdle, he discovers a ship run aground trying desperately to discover an incredible secret, an old enemy, a dangerous new weapon, and a dicey, daring new mission.
Check out the film for yourself to see the conclusion and the amazing news Horatio receives at the end - which, to me, should have inspired the ninth film. :)
(I probably should have told you this ages ago, but you can watch most, if not all, of the Hornblower films on YouTube...)
Check out the film for yourself to see the conclusion and the amazing news Horatio receives at the end - which, to me, should have inspired the ninth film. :)
(I probably should have told you this ages ago, but you can watch most, if not all, of the Hornblower films on YouTube...)
CHARACTERS
Horatio Hornblower is played by - everyone say it with me! - Ioan Gruffudd. We already know about his strong values, respect, and obedience to his authority. This time we see him struggling with his new role as a husband. Although he is fond of Maria, he loves his ship and being at sea more. Oftentimes he places his duty to his country above his duty to his wife. Also, we see a side of his humility that isn't often touched on. Spoiler When he diffuses the bomb shot onto his deck with his mittened hands, suffering burns, he refuses the crews praise, changes the report to omit it, and doesn't even explain to Maria how the gloves she made for him got burned. End of Spoiler
Horatio Hornblower is played by - everyone say it with me! - Ioan Gruffudd. We already know about his strong values, respect, and obedience to his authority. This time we see him struggling with his new role as a husband. Although he is fond of Maria, he loves his ship and being at sea more. Oftentimes he places his duty to his country above his duty to his wife. Also, we see a side of his humility that isn't often touched on. Spoiler When he diffuses the bomb shot onto his deck with his mittened hands, suffering burns, he refuses the crews praise, changes the report to omit it, and doesn't even explain to Maria how the gloves she made for him got burned. End of Spoiler
First Lieutenant Bush is played by Paul McGann. The friendship between Mr. Bush and Horatio grows closer and closer with every film. He stands up with Horatio at the wedding as his best man, and arranges a surprise for the bride and groom afterwards. As usual, he is strongly loyal to his captain and will tolerate no disrespect from any member of the crew towards the younger man. He has is own struggles however, when faces with shooting a man 'in cold blood', he hesitates... nearly costing his life, the life of his captain, and the future of the ship. In the end, he shows his growth as he shoots this same man who is about to pull a gun on Horatio.
Maria Hornblower (nee Mason) is played by Julia Sawalha. Again, the sweet bride...
I was sad for her throughout the film that Horatio placed her after his ship on his priority list. In the end she apologized for being 'selfish' with him. *hurumph* I don't think she was particularly that selfish!
I was sad for her throughout the film that Horatio placed her after his ship on his priority list. In the end she apologized for being 'selfish' with him. *hurumph* I don't think she was particularly that selfish!
Captain Bracegirdle is played by Jonathon Coy. This isn't the first time we've seen him... He was Edward Pellew's First Lieutenant, make when the Admiral was a Captain in The Even Chance, Examination for Lieutenant, The Duchess and the Devil, and The Frogs and the Lobsters. It was practically a miracle the Horatio was able to rescue the captain. However, Captain Bracegirdle is a broken man... his ship and crew decimated.
Yes, our old villain, Wolfe, returns. He is played by Lorcan Cranitch. This villain is completely heartless and unlovable. In the end, staring into the barrel of Horatio's gun, he passionately declares, "I admire you, Hornblower... I really do. But I despise every little thing you respresent."
Doughty is played by Ron Cook. This man was Admiral Pellew's steward, but was given to Horatio almost as a wedding present. We even see him very briefly - and his infamous pastries - in Loyalty. He immediately earns the dislike of Styles, who was Horatio's terrible steward. This rivalry between the two stewards results in a fistfight, in which Doughty unintentionally strikes out at Mr. Orrock... an officer. This crime deserves death. Spoiler Horatio demonstrates his mercy by allowing Doughty to escape justice for the free land of America End of Spoiler
These two very familiar characters, Matthews and Styles, are once again very prominent. Matthews, played by Paul Copley, has earned Horatio's trust in that he goes along with Captain Bracegirdle on a dangerous mission, and is constantly the go-between for Styles hot headedness. Styles, played by Sean Gilder, is terribly jealous that he gets replaced by Doughty as the Captain's steward. He is always picking on Doughty and causing trouble. As well, he is the one that causes the trouble concerning the three guests that Horatio picks up from the sea.
Midshipman Orrock is played by Jonathon Forbes (Yes! That accent is real!). He really comes into his own in this film. He grows in authority as he is left in charge of the ship and has to deal with tiffs between the crew. Yes, there is a lot of potential in this young man.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
Like the other seven Hornblower films, the costumes are mainly naval.
Like the other seven Hornblower films, the costumes are mainly naval.
RATING
Do you really need to ask? A great big 5!
This film is an M for violence, which is warranted. There are battle scenes and Wolfe is a little frightening.
After eight films... all I can say is:
Do you really need to ask? A great big 5!
This film is an M for violence, which is warranted. There are battle scenes and Wolfe is a little frightening.
After eight films... all I can say is:
Please, please, please?