Hornblower: The Even Chance (1998) (TV)

Director:

Andrew Grieve

Writers:

C.S. Forester (stories)
Russell Lewis (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 April 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | War

Plot:

Horatio Hornblower begins his naval career, but a deadly feud with a despicable mate is causing complications.

Plot Keywords:

Duel | Horatio Hornblower | Gambling | Military | Historical Fiction

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Ioan Gruffudd	...	Midshipman Horatio Hornblower
Robert Lindsay	...	Capt. Sir Edward Pellew
Dorian Healy	...	Midshipman Jack Simpson
Michael Byrne	...	Capt. Keene
Robert Bathurst	...	Lt. Eccleston
Duncan Bell	...	Midshipman Clayton
Paul Copley	...	Matthews
Sean Gilder	...	Styles
Simon Sherlock	...	Oldroyd
Chris Barnes	...	Finch
Jamie Bamber	...	Midshipman Archie Kennedy
Colin MacLachlan	...	Master Bowles
Roger May	...	Lt. Chadd
Vincent Grass	...	Capt. Forget
Richard Lumsden	...	Midshipman Hether

Also Known As:

Horatio Hornblower: The Duel (USA)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

According to the Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester, Hornblower was tone deaf and would have heard music as noise. He also suffered from seasickness until he got his sea legs.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When they are supposed to be stranded in a ship's boat in the Atlantic, out of sight of France, the coast is plainly visible behind the French captain of the Marie Galante when he and Hornblower stand-off with guns just before the Indefatigable is sighted.

Quotes:

Midshipman Cleveland: [upon seeing Horatio] What's this then, Archie?
Midshipman Archie Kennedy: Another mess mate, gentlemen.
Midshipman Hether: And whose pretty arse did you neglect kissing to find yourself amongst the fleet's forgotten?
[Horatio is quiet]
Midshipman Hether: Well speak, apparition!
Midshipman Horatio Hornblower: My name's Hornblower.
Midshipman Cleveland: What an infernal piece of bad luck for you.
Midshipman Clayton: How old are you, Mr.Hornblower?
Midshipman Horatio Hornblower: Seventeen, sir.
Midshipman Hether: Seventeen, sir! You hear that, Cleveland?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Followed by Hornblower: Mutiny (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Heart of Oak

Wow!

This is with out quest the greatest TV adventure that I've ever seen (perhaps the greatest in the world). I didn't think it was possible to make such TV adventures today, that really captures the old adventure feeling in the same spirit as the classic Errol Flynn movies (like "The Sea Hawk" and "Robin Hood").

Was I wrong... I mean... THIS is even greater!

The production team behind "Hornblower" has managed to bring this genre alive. An enjoyable history lesson full of action, humour and drama. Together with great actors, a magnificent script, beautiful camera work, great special effects and - perhaps above all - great scenery and filming locations, they have managed to show that the adventure genre still is of current interest to an audience today as well.

I feel that the adventure genre has been wrongfully underestimated for decades. Perhaps the film- and tv makers didn't think it was (don't think it is) wanted by an audience (today) and not worth the effort...? I don't know. But I do know that the adventure genre has been neglected for too long now, and perhaps "Hornblower" will be part of a renewed interest for adventure and a turning point in the genre. I hope so.

Because the genre IS wanted by an audience. IF it's GOOD adventure.

I think that the mistake is (and have been for long) the general opinion of adventure as an easy genre. Film- and TV makers haven't taken it seriously enough, and that is probably why we haven't seen good adventures for a long time. It's easy to think that adventure is a piece of cake and simple work. But that's wrong. To make good adventure is very hard. It's a hand croft where you have to be able to balance with depths. It must not be too deep, but it must not be to cursory and superficial neither. And this is a tough act, it takes true skills to make good and believable adventure.

The fact that we haven't seen good adventure for years, perhaps shows that the adventure genre is the hardest among all film genres. I'm willing to belive so.

"Hornblower" is good adventure. In fact, it's excellent!

Vote: 10/10