Hornblower: Duty (2003)

Admiral Pellew interrupts Hornblower's wedding reception and tasks him to locate a British ship which has disappeared off the French coast, where Napoleon's troops are engaged in covert activities.

Director:

Andrew Grieve

Writers:

Stephen Churchett (screenplay), C.S. Forester (novel)

Stars:

Ioan Gruffudd, Robert Lindsay, Paul McGann

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Commander Horatio Hornblower
Robert Lindsay	...	Admiral Sir Edward Pellew
Paul McGann	...	Lieutenant Bush
Lorcan Cranitch	...	Wolfe
Tony Haygarth	...	Prowse
Julia Sawalha	...	Maria Hornblower
Barbara Flynn	...	Mrs. Mason
Paul Copley	...	Matthews
Sean Gilder	...	Styles
Jonathan Coy	...	Captain Bracegirdle
Jim Carter	...	Etheridge
Ron Cook	...	Steward James Doughty
Jonathan Forbes	...	Orrock
David Birkin	...	Jerome
Camilla Power	...	Betsy

Storyline

Now married to Maria, Horatio Hornblower is soon sent by Admiral Pellew in search of the sloop Grasshopper captained by their old friend, Bracegirdle. The ship had been patrolling a stretch of French coast but had not sent in a report for over two weeks. During a raging storm they take aboard two passengers, an American woman and her French speaking Swiss husband. They are not what they pretend to be. Horatio and his men also encounter Wolfe, the Irish rebel turned traitor and now fighting France. They also realize exactly what Wolfe's plan is when they see three French frigates riding high in the water near his encampment. At home, Horatio is getting used to marriage and having to share his life with someone.

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Plot Keywords:

french | ship | duty | british | water | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hornblower - L'arte del comando

Filming Locations:

Three mills, Stratford, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Network, Meridian Broadcasting, United Film and Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The blue and white print gown worn by Julia Sawalha (Maria) to church is the same costume worn by a guest at the Easter Ball in Wives and Daughters (1999).

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Goofs

When Jerome Bonaparte introduces himself he presents as Jerome Lucien Bonaparte. Lucien was his other brother. His name was Jerome Bonaparte, born as Girolamo Buonaparte.

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Quotes

Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: Bonaparte's nothing to offer Ireland but misery and bloodshed. Ha! That's why England has a right to demand Irish loyalty!
Commander Horatio Hornblower: Yes Sir, although...
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: Huh?
Commander Horatio Hornblower: It is perhaps better to earn loyalty than to demand it.
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. When I became a man I put away childish things.
Commander Horatio Hornblower: Sir?
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: You know Hornblower, it's very hard for a father to see his children grow up.
Commander Horatio Hornblower: I'm not sure I understand you sir.
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: I daresay you will.

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Connections

Follows Horatio Hornblower: Retribution (2001)

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Soundtracks

Yankee Doodle
Traditional
Performed by Sean Gilder

User Reviews

A&E Hornblower Duty (2003)

I was flipping threw the channels and came across this tv show and was blown away. It pulled me in and ever let go. This is the newest show in the series I watched it this week 12/02/2003, I had no idea they had made new ones. After reading some reviews I agree that the acting is better than any American made for tv movie, except "Lonesome Dove", Ioan Gruffudd is great, but he is no Robert Duval or Tommy Lee Jones.

The set and I use that word loosely, is a 19th century ship. Every aspect of the ship feels like it came out of the 19th century. It does feel tight and dark. Exactly what a ship back like then feels like.

The story is not really great, good is what i would say. You are able to determine what happens with in a few minutes. The acting is what I paid more attention to. Some of the action sections are ok. It's not movie quality but you don't really let it bother you. If "Master and Commander" and "Pirates of the Carribean" was not released I don't think the American viewers would watch this. I hope A&E will keep showing this series if i continues.

Over all I would recommend anyone this show who love the sea and watching acting, a great tv movie.