Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Andrew Grieve

Writers:

C.S. Forester (story)
Patrick Harbinson (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 April 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | War

Plot:

Lt. Hornblower and his crew are captured by the enemy while escorting a Duchess who has secrets of her own.

Plot Keywords:

Duchess | Navy | Fog | Actress | Prison

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Ioan Gruffudd	...	Horatio Hornblower
Robert Lindsay	...	Capt. Pellew
Cherie Lunghi	...	Duchess of Wharfedale
Christopher Fulford	...	M'Man Hunter
Ronald Pickup	...	Don Massaredo
Jamie Bamber	...	Kennedy
Jonathan Coy	...	Lieutenant Bracegirdle
John Woodvine	...	Sir Hew Dalrymple
Paul Copley	...	Matthews
Sean Gilder	...	Styles
Simon Sherlock	...	Oldroyd
Jean-Yves Berteloot	...	Etienne de Vergasse
Vincent S. Boluda	...	Spanish Lieutenant
Jolyon Baker	...	Captain Joubert
Colin MacLachlan	...	Master Bowles

Also Known As:

Horatio Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil (USA)

Runtime:

USA:93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

French | Spanish | English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Peniche, Portugal

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the opening shot, when a rowing boat comes close to the shore, a helicopter can be heard.

Quotes:

[Horatio stopped Hunter from shooting the French]
Hunter: We're here to fight them aren't we?
Hornblower: No, Mr. Hunter, we're here to defeat them.

Movie Connections:

Follows Hornblower: The Even Chance (1998) (TV)

Lindsay's performance not to be missed

This is a comment not only on the superb production as a whole, which is very authentic from a historical perspective, and gives the viewer a true sense of what life was like in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, but also to praise an excellent performance by Robert Lindsay, who plays Captain Sir Edward Pellew. As a student of military history, I was very pleased with this production as a whole, and Griffudds' Hornblower is well done. But Lindsay, as the redoubtable Sir Edward is priceless. Just the right blend of old navy correctness, upper-class haughtiness, and berely concealed pride in his young protegee. Hornblower, with whom he is careful not to appear overly fond, is most determined to do his job and please his captain, whom he worships. Pellew recognizes the seeds of greatness in the young man and sheperds him along with scant vocal praise but strong career-enhancing opportunities. Lindsay is very likaable and proper, and I want to see more o of his work. I hope to see more of the Hornblower series in the future, as Ioan Griffudd continues to grow and prosper.