Hornblower: Duty

TV Movie
2003
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

Adventure Drama War

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 acti... Read allAdmiral 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.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
- C.S. Forester
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Andrew Grieve
Writers
- Stephen Churchett
- C.S. Forester
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 4 nominations total

Photos5

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Mr. Proust says, "come to port" when telling the helmsman to steer to the left. However, the term "larboard" was the nautical term for left in use before the Royal Navy authorized the use of "port" in 1844.

Goofs
Bush and Hornblower refer to the shell which Hornblower extinguished as a "five inch". The cannon was clearly no more than a 12 pound gun which would have had a bore diameter of about 3.7 inches. A five inch gun would have been too large to be easily moved by hand as shown in the scene.

Quotes
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: You see things, sir, that others do not. One thing you do not question is your loyalty to your King. One day, Hornblower, you'll fight for more than England.
Commander Horatio Hornblower: What is there more than England?
Admiral Sir Edward Pellew: [He pointedly does not answer]

Connections
Follows Horatio Hornblower: The Duel (1998)

Soundtracks
Yankee Doodle
Traditional
Performed by Sean Gilder

User reviews10

Review

Featured review

9/10

Great series

A great series, based on the books by CS Forester.

The adventures of Horatio Hornblower, an officer in the Royal Navy at the start of the 19th century. The movies follow his rise up the ranks.

Very realistic in its actions, commands, uniforms, ships etc. Some great action and human drama.

Special effects are good, except for the explosions. Those seem very cheap and unrealistic.

The other area that seems unrealistic is Hornblower's home life. The relationship with Maria seems very clumsy and unnatural.

Great performance by Ioan Gruffudd in the lead role. This is surpassed by Robert Lindsay as Admiral Pellew. He provides the perfect mix of authority, gravitas, compassion and father-like doting.

Good support from Paul McGann as Lt Bush, Paul Copley as Matthews and Sean Gilder as Styles.

The biggest pity is that this movie is the last one they made, when there are several books left.