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 | War

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Topsail | Mutton | Weakness | Ship's Surgeon | Cannon

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

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

One of the ships used for the film was "The Grand Turk" which is a working replica of a 1790s man-o-war that makes yearly trips throughout Europe and winters in the city of Whitby, England. It was specially built for 'Hornblower', and painted black and buff on one side, and black and red on the other, so that it could double as a British or French ship, depending on the angle it was filmed from.

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 Archie Kennedy: A duel? Are you mad?
Midshipman Horatio Hornblower: Tomorrow see's an end to it, Archie. One way or another I shall be rid of him... I have an even chance.
Midshipman Archie Kennedy: [looks to Clayton and then Horatio] An even chance? Simpson's reckoned one of the best shots in the Navy, he'll kill you certain shot!
Midshipman Clayton: [Horatio looks to Clayton]
[a beat]
Midshipman Clayton: I'll act as your second, of course but... Have you ever fought a duel before?

Movie Connections:

Followed by Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Heart of Oak

Hornblower-Simply brilliant!

I am 19 years old, and since I had not read any of the Hornblower books (I expect most people would think this criminal, not to have read the stories of the most beloved naval hero in fiction!) I knew nothing about the story until the first two hour film was shown on TV (October 7th in England.-I hear that the USA will get the Hornblower series in the New Year) There are four Hornblower films, and the first 'The Even Chance' made me want to see the other three right away! The story is set in the years of the Napoleonic wars, and the first story shows Hornblowers first adventures as midshipman aboard the' Indefatigable'' having to put up with bullying by Simpson another midshipman aboard the ship who takes an instant dislike to the new recuit. The acting by Ioan Gruffudd as the young, self-concious, shy Horatio Hornblower is superb, and his dark brooding good looks are sure to make him a new heart throb. The rest of the cast are brilliant too, from Robert Lindsay as captain Pellew to Dorian Healy as the vicious Simpson. The £12 million spent on the film, has not gone to waste either. The first wooden ship to be built for 140 years, 'The Grand Turk', is used in the film for the 'Indefatigable' and is a stunning sight to see. The action sequences are brilliantly done, making you feel like you are almost on the ship itself. So brilliant action sequences, wonderful battle ships, and a stunning cast, all make Hornblower one of the best things to come on TV in years. Luckily for me (now a huge Hornblower fan) the showing of the second film-which was to be in December- has been put forward to November, because of the huge number of people calling ITV Television station, saying how much they liked it, and demanding for it to be put on early! I personally cannot wait to sail the sea with Horatio Hornblower again.