No, I have not read the Hornblower novels by C. M. Forrester, nor have I seen the recent mini-series, so keep this in mind when reading the following review.
This is a wonderful old adventure movie and highly reminiscent of the old swashbuckling films of Errol Flynn--though a lot more realistic. Gregory Peck plays the title character, a British naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars. When the film begins, you find Peck's ship in difficult straits--they are on a secret mission and nothing seems to be going right--there is no wind, they've not seen land in seven months AND they're practically out of food and water! Fortunately, the good captain is an expert seaman and navigator and they find the fortress of "El Supremo"---a totally megalomaniacal and incompetent revolutionary. The plan is apparently to give him a huge supply of guns and ammunition in order to destabilize the Spanish colonies in the Americas (since Spain is at this point an ally of France). I need to mention that during all this daring-do, he meets up with lovely Virginia Mayo and wins her heart because of his bravery, compassion and overall sense of decency--too bad she's already engaged to Peck's commanding officer! What exactly happens next to is just something you'll have to see for yourself. However, there are some inspiring but realistic adventures through which Hornblower gains the reputation as a great officer.
This is a wonderful film--the sort of adventure film they just don't make anymore. And, it's no surprise then that this was directed by Raoul Walsh--the same man that directed many of Flynn's greatest films. On top of excellent adventure, Peck's hero is a little bit more complex and human than those played by Flynn. Plus, the writing and acting are superb--not a film to be missed.
This is a wonderful old adventure movie and highly reminiscent of the old swashbuckling films of Errol Flynn--though a lot more realistic. Gregory Peck plays the title character, a British naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars. When the film begins, you find Peck's ship in difficult straits--they are on a secret mission and nothing seems to be going right--there is no wind, they've not seen land in seven months AND they're practically out of food and water! Fortunately, the good captain is an expert seaman and navigator and they find the fortress of "El Supremo"---a totally megalomaniacal and incompetent revolutionary. The plan is apparently to give him a huge supply of guns and ammunition in order to destabilize the Spanish colonies in the Americas (since Spain is at this point an ally of France). I need to mention that during all this daring-do, he meets up with lovely Virginia Mayo and wins her heart because of his bravery, compassion and overall sense of decency--too bad she's already engaged to Peck's commanding officer! What exactly happens next to is just something you'll have to see for yourself. However, there are some inspiring but realistic adventures through which Hornblower gains the reputation as a great officer.
This is a wonderful film--the sort of adventure film they just don't make anymore. And, it's no surprise then that this was directed by Raoul Walsh--the same man that directed many of Flynn's greatest films. On top of excellent adventure, Peck's hero is a little bit more complex and human than those played by Flynn. Plus, the writing and acting are superb--not a film to be missed.