Hornblower: Mutiny Review
19 May 2013
By now, you should know that my Hornblower reviews receive very high ratings and are amongst my very favourite period drama films to watch and review. And this fifth instalment is no exception. In fact, I enjoyed this one so much, that it’s probably amongst my favourite of the Hornblower films I’ve seen.
*This review may contain spoilers from the previous four Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
*This review may contain spoilers from the previous four Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
On board the 74 gun frigate ‘Renown’, destination unknown and with a deeply paranoid and deluded Captain, discipline quickly starts to deteriorate and Hornblower realises that action of some kind must be taken, whatever the consequences…
SCENERY
The scenery from most Hornblower films is pretty boring, compared to some other period films… just the sea and below the decks of the ship.
SCENERY
The scenery from most Hornblower films is pretty boring, compared to some other period films… just the sea and below the decks of the ship.
STORY
Horatio and Archie are under the authority of famous and renowned Captain Sawyer on a new ship bound for action in Santa Domingo. It soon becomes apparent that the Captain is mentally unstable as he begins to suspect a conspiracy to overthrow him and proclaim a mutiny. Horatio and a young midshipman – Wellard – have to endure the biased cruelty of the deranged captain. When Horatio, Archie and the two other Lieutenants come together to discuss whether or not the captain was unfit to run the ship, an informer snitches on them and Captain Sawyer determines to hunt down the ‘mutineers’.
Horatio and Archie are under the authority of famous and renowned Captain Sawyer on a new ship bound for action in Santa Domingo. It soon becomes apparent that the Captain is mentally unstable as he begins to suspect a conspiracy to overthrow him and proclaim a mutiny. Horatio and a young midshipman – Wellard – have to endure the biased cruelty of the deranged captain. When Horatio, Archie and the two other Lieutenants come together to discuss whether or not the captain was unfit to run the ship, an informer snitches on them and Captain Sawyer determines to hunt down the ‘mutineers’.
Fortunately, Captain Sawyer falls and knocks himself unconscious before he can name the apparent mutineers. This places the four Lieutenants in command of the ship. For a short while peace and harmony reigns, until the captain wakes up and retakes command of his ship. At first, he doesn’t remember the accident or who was responsible. While fighting against the Spanish, Captain Sawyer makes a few foolish decisions that endanger the lives of his shipmen. The Lieutenants are forced to announce the Captain as ‘unfit to command’… He is taken below and swears revenge against Horatio.
Don’t think I’m just ending abruptly… this film ends with Horatio in prison in Jamaica, awaiting charges of mutiny. Mr. Pellew - now Commodore - is talking with him and doesn’t believe that his story will stick in court.
Don’t think I’m just ending abruptly… this film ends with Horatio in prison in Jamaica, awaiting charges of mutiny. Mr. Pellew - now Commodore - is talking with him and doesn’t believe that his story will stick in court.
CHARACTERS
Horatio Hornblower, played by Iaon Gruffudd, has been promoted to Third Lieutenant. Always before he has been a strict upholder of honour, integrity, honesty, and respect of his authority. Always before, his authority and the situations have been reasonable. This time Horatio has to learn how to deal with authority that is brutal and situations that are completely unreasonable. Almost immediately, he gets off on the wrong foot with the Captain, earning his suspicion. He seeks the best for his crew, which puts him on the wrong side of the captain. Also, he begins to reveal the natural born leader that he is, taking command of situations and crew when the captain is incapable.
Horatio Hornblower, played by Iaon Gruffudd, has been promoted to Third Lieutenant. Always before he has been a strict upholder of honour, integrity, honesty, and respect of his authority. Always before, his authority and the situations have been reasonable. This time Horatio has to learn how to deal with authority that is brutal and situations that are completely unreasonable. Almost immediately, he gets off on the wrong foot with the Captain, earning his suspicion. He seeks the best for his crew, which puts him on the wrong side of the captain. Also, he begins to reveal the natural born leader that he is, taking command of situations and crew when the captain is incapable.
Archie Kennedy, played by Jamie Bamber, is rising through the ranks and is just behind Horatio as Fourth Lieutenant. He, like Horatio, has to deal with Captain Sawyer’s cruelty and struggles with the irrationality of it all. He is a little vocal about his dislike amongst the other Lieutenants; thankfully none of them really disagree.
Captain James Sawyer is played by David Warner. He’s a well respected naval hero… which makes Horatio, Archie, and other seamen very eager to serve under him. However, he turns out to be a very harsh leader, punishing seamen for the slightest nothings, and believing that Horatio is conspiring against him. After he takes his fall down the hold, he wakes up without any knowledge of what had just happened. Slowly he begins remembering bits and pieces of his accident. Unfortunately, during a critical time of battle the Captain ‘recovers’ his wits enough to resume command, risking the lives of everyone on board the ship. When he sees Horatio, he remembers everything and pulls a gun on him. From then, Doctor Clive renders him ‘unfit for command’.
First Lieutenant Buckland is played by Nicholas Jones. It seems as if he has served under Captain Sawyer for a while and is used to the Captain's irrationality. This trip opens his eyes and he realizes that something must be done about the Captain. After the captain’s fall, it is Lieutenant Buckland that would have to take command of the ship. By nature he is a quiet fellow, not taken to standing up for what he thinks is right. There is doubt amongst the crew as to whether or not Lieutenant Buckland has what it takes to lead the ship.
Paul McGann plays Second Lieutenant Bush. He, like the others, are at first thrilled to be serving under Captain Sawyer. And because of his admiration for the heroic captain, Bush sides with him on the first few incidents. The captain and other three Lieutenants believe that he is another seaman who blindly sides with the captain because of his past. But Mr. Bush is man of his own mind and finds the other three Lieutenants to tell him that he sides with them.
Midshipman Wellard is played by Terence Corrigan. It is quite interesting to note that when we first began this journey with Horatio Hornblower, he was in the position of this young man. Mr. Wellard is a quiet, obedient young man with an unswerving loyalty to Horatio. Unfortunately, almost as soon as they left the port, Wellard innocently – and rightly, I might add – steps in the way of an order from the captain, earning him the wrath of the mentally unstable captain. Captain Sawyer believes him to be one of the ringleaders of a ‘mutiny’ and punishes him without good reason a couple of times. Because of his young age, he is picked on by the older seamen without
rank. This poor young man over time learns how to stand up for himself and what is right.
rank. This poor young man over time learns how to stand up for himself and what is right.
Doctor Clive is played by David Rintoul. He serves as the ship’s surgeon and is the Captain’s personal physician. After Captain Sawyer takes his fall, Doctor Clive keeps him doped up with laudanum. This is frustrating for the four Lieutenants as he refuses to announce whether or not he is unfit for command. It is only in the heat of battle and under stressful and life-threatening circumstances that he is forced to declare Captain Sawyer unfit for command.
Gunner Hobbs is played by Philip Glenister. I suppose I should commend Hobbs’ loyalty to Captain Sawyer, however misguided it might be. But I can’t seem to find it within me. Not only does he side with the Captain, even when the Captain’s actions prove less than admirable, but he picks on Midshipman Wellard, is disrespectful to Third Lieutenant Hornblower, and causes fighting between the men. After the Captain’s fall, he is absolutely determined to find out who ‘pushed’ him down the hold and make sure that he is punished fully.
We also see our old friends Styles and Matthews in this Hornblower film. Both of them have been promoted, Matthews to Boatswain and Styles to Boatswain Mate. Because of their rank, they’re featured more as ‘main characters’. Matthews' rank means that he is the one to dish out the punishments to poor Wellard. Styles quickly becomes enemies with a fellow seaman, Randall. There are a few fistfights between them, one of which puts Styles in a very bad way. Even though they’ve been promoted, both of them are
still loyal to Horatio to the death. Again, they bring a much-needed element of humour into the film.
still loyal to Horatio to the death. Again, they bring a much-needed element of humour into the film.
Randall is played by Gilly Gilchrist. This man is born bully. He picks on Midshipman Wellard, who is higher in rank than him, and beats up on Boatswain Mate Styles. His payback in the end is quite satisfying.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
Like most of the Hornblower films, the costumes and hairstyles are all naval. This time they’re all British.
See my review for Hornblower: The Even Chance for the historical accuracy of these costumes.
Like most of the Hornblower films, the costumes and hairstyles are all naval. This time they’re all British.
See my review for Hornblower: The Even Chance for the historical accuracy of these costumes.
RATING
Out of my scale from 1 to 5, this film, as usual, gets a 5. :)
Again, as usual , this Hornblower film is an M for medium level violence. There is a fair amount of swearing, blood, and gore. In one scene Doctor Clive is amputating a seaman’s leg, he is absolutely covered in blood. It’s not overly gory, but could be disturbing. In similar scenes there are characters who are bleeding on their heads, also the scenes where Wellard receives his beatings are dark and unpleasant. I don’t recommend this for people younger than fifteen.