Hornblower: Retribution

I first read the Hornblower novels as a schoolboy and have reread them from time to time over the years when I wanted to escape to an era when life moved at 6 knots or less.

In the books, Hornblower thought of himself as the `Midshipman that got sick at Spithead' in fact he was always getting sick at the beginning of every voyage. He was more than ordinarily plain in appearance and was plagued by being tone deaf in an era when Music was the highest form of art. Finally he was frequently terrified to the point of nausea by the things he had to do to survive. Yet, the reader saw that he overcame all of that by using his wits, determination and inborn intelligence and by persevering when others were panicking and giving up. Even into the latest novels as he became first a Knight of the Realm and later a Lord, he still felt that if folks knew the real Hornblower as only he knew himself they would see him as a failure and a sham.

In these films A&E has cast Ioan Gruffudd as Hornblower. He is physically attractive and most of Hornblower's self-perceived inner faults are ignored or only hinted at. We do see his fear of heights but very little else that allows us to see the `fallible Hornblower' that is so richly developed in the books. Yet so much of the rest of the story is there in such wonderful detail that it's hard to dislike or fault this series.

I'm continually intrigued by the films because of the ways that they are faithful to the originals and by the ways that they stray. It's clear that some episodes so richly developed in the books include a dramatic element that is largely in Hornblower's thoughts. Due to the nature of the medium and the demands of the typical viewer, its clear that much of this will not work as a movie.

What does puzzle me from time to time are the wholesale changes that are made where I can see no reason for the change. One prime example of that is strongly featured in the episode Mutiny. In the books when the captain is chasing through the ship trying to catch the mutineers and he falls down the hatch, only Hornblower is below decks. It is left to Hornblower's word that he fell. Several folks figure out that he MAY have been pushed and several credit Hornblower with being quick-witted enough to realize that if he pushed him, no one would be able to prove it. Only Hornblower knows for sure and even the readers never learn the truth. It's up to the individual to decide.

I can see from others comments that perhaps they would enjoy the novels more than the movies.

The 'Mutiny' and 'Retribution' parts of the Hornblower series are the best till now. Even when the books do not develop characters much, and the previous parts give some lines, it is in these two parts that the series comes to an height. Good acting and beautiful photography, and a good story; it all makes this series worth watching, and especially these parts. Themes like good leadership, loyalty, honour, friendship are in potential not very easy to be communicated in these times, but in this case it is done in the right and proper way... never overdone, never unbalanced. In short, a good cast, nice story, good photography, good plot, very good acting: *****

I found that Retribution was the most interesting part of the Hornblower series. David Warner as the insane Captain Sawyer was fantastic, and the most interesting character in the movie. What I liked about this movie {and all the other Hornblower movies} is how the writers turned barely mention characters in the book, and made them into people who help to drive the story. James Bamber as Kennedy was well defined and was an excellent addition to the movie. This was most definitely the best Hornblower movie.

Now here's some uncomplicated Sunday night entertainment for us armchair sailors. Adventure and action on the high sea and the odd hot country, lots of friction among the officers and men, a captain nearly round the twist, and of course the heroic Horny who saves the situation. He winds up before a court martial in Jamaica but we need not fear for him with his old captain and mentor Sir Edward Pellow presiding.

This show cost a lot of money, though I don't think they went as far as James Cameron did in `Titanic' and build a full-sized replica of an 18th century ship of the line. The re-creation of the period detail – weapons, uniforms, boats and tackle, the wardroom, even the brutal medical procedures, brings you right into the action. The personality clashes between officers seem a bit contrived at times – particularly the Billy Budd syndrome – older officers of marginal competence resenting their brighter juniors – but the fellowship amongst Horny and his mates rings true.

Ioan Gruffudd is darkly romantic in appearance but uses this somewhat brooding exterior to show Horny as someone who thinks a bit and then acts quickly and decisively, a very good combination in military matters. He makes it plausible that his friends, Kennedy (James Bamber) and Bush (Paul McGann) should support him, even at considerable risk to themselves.

As is usual in this sort of production, the major and minor roles are all well done. David Warner is convincing as Captain Sawyer, a sort of nautical King Lear, and Nicolas Smith as the aging, fearful first lieutenant Buckland, fits the bill well (albeit playing the role as a less devious version of Jeremy from Kavanagh Q.C.) There is a nicely judged performance by David Rintoul as the wily ship's doctor, and Dobbin is very effective as the Captains's loyal supporter Hobbs. Robert Lindsay does a good senior partner number as Commodore Sir Edward Pellew, actually an historical figure with some islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria named after him, though Hornblower himself is total fiction.

It's funny. In some ways it might have been a film about a law firm, such is the universality of professional culture. Deference to seniority has to be matched against the need to exercise independent professional judgment. Just obeying orders is the lot of the mere technician. A professional officer has to cultivate independence of mind in a milleu that demands obedience to orders. Not an easy task and we can well understand how it proves too much for the unfortunate Buckland.

Anyway, good derring-do stuff, even if Horny doesn't get to kiss anyone.

The trial begins proper. Will the lieutenants be found guilty of mutiny, and if so, which of them? And what were the circumstances surrounding Sawyer's(Warner, embodying the desperation, the strong if frail mind, and the madness) fall? We get the rest of what happened between the then and now. This cuts tautly, always leaving us in suspense, back and forth between that, and the investigation - where Pellew(Lindsay, balancing the pride of a father-figure with the strict discipline of a military officer) must be part of the tribunal that may end up calling for the execution of his protégé, Hornblower(Gruffudd, just a man of clever ruses, who sometimes lets his sympathies get the better of him).

The pace and sheer amount of twists and developments is ruthless. So much happens in such little time, and the layers keep even the least patient viewer well occupied. A dinner between several men held in high regard is packed with weighted words, hidden meaning, each of them in a different place. Realism(with just a couple of forgivable, and badass, exceptions), filming(hardly ever betraying that this was not made for the silver screen), action, character study, etc. All this accomplished with the utmost expertise.

Themes include that it is lonely at the top, loyalty, friendship and reputation. This is a heartbreaking entry, and not everyone will make it through, as new challenges are discovered, attempts are made to salvage what may be lost, and the fortitude of many will be tested. Acting is beyond reproach. Dialog quotable, tight and allowing for some humor to release the thick tension. This is an astounding second half to the story started in the episode immediately prior to it.

There is some bloody, disturbing and violent content in this. I recommend this to any fan of adventure and drama. 9/10