Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant

TV Movie
1998
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998)

Play clip1:04

Watch Horatio Hornblower

1 Video

31 Photos

Adventure Drama War

While Lt. Hornblower studies for his promotion examination, he is distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.While Lt. Hornblower studies for his promotion examination, he is distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.While Lt. Hornblower studies for his promotion examination, he is distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 2 wins & 9 nominations total

Videos1

Clip 1:04

Horatio Hornblower

Photos31

+ 23

User reviews14

8.04.7K

Featured reviews

altea

A disappointment???

Having seen the first in the series of 4 movies, I was quite eager to see the next installment of the saga! Well, I have to admit that I was disappointed after seeing it! Disappointed not in the overall production value of the movie, because that was as terrific as the first movie, but in the story department! The story was very flat with almost no tension! In the first movie you had conflicts on several levels like the way of life on the ship, the arguments between the crew, the looming of war...and finally the hate until death between Hornblower and a crew member! In this movie you had almost the exact story items i.c. Hornblower rescues, Hornblower being lucky, Hornblower being alone with a little crew on a boat/ship...even the end of the movie where the captain thanks Hornblower is the same! Conclusion: beautiful movie with a flat story! Hopefully the next movie will have a different structure!

salty-9

Classic sea fairing drama!

Since the series of Hornblower began, I have waited quite anxiously for the next episode. The cast is excellent, the plot well thought out, and the battle scenes terrific. Ioan Grufford is excellent as the young Horatio Hornblower, and it's good to see a Derby actor such as Robert Lindsay back in a major role. Definitely worth watching this episode as it is one of the best for drama and action.

10annalisa-2

Brilliant!

Although I am not anything like a history-buff, I must say that I loved watching Hornblower. Andrew Grieve did an amazing job. He turned, together with the writer, of course, C.S Forester's book into a completely understandable, exiting adventure. Ioan Gruffudd did a fantastic job playing Horatio Hornblower, but let's not forget the other cast members: Robert Lindsay, Sean Gilder, Colin MacLachlan and all the others were outstanding too. Together they made a wonderful story, which, although it happened about 300 years ago, is still incredibly up to date.

10kure98

Excellent, interesting and nice film!!!

Only three words to comment an excellent film, a wonderful realization, and a very nice DVD registration. Will you make a spanish subtitles edition? I'm sure it will be a success in Latin America and Mexico. Congratulations!

salty-9

Adventure on the high seas

Quite an interesting story from the makers of 'Sharpe'. The plot, based on the novels of C.S. Forester, is well acted, especially from young Ioan (Titanic) Gruffudd. The cast, including Derby actor Robert Lindsay, is well suited. The story runs at quite a good pace and the plot keeps you on the edge till the end. Hopefully I.T.V. will make another series of this good sea faring adventure.

More like this

8.1

Hornblower: The Even Chance

7.8

Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil

7.9

Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters

8.1

Hornblower: Retribution

8.1

8.0

7.9

7.3

8.4

7.4

3.9

7.6

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The question given at Hornblower's Lieutenant examination, that of what to do in response to a "full a-back", relates to the sails of a ship suddenly flattening against the mast due to a change in wind. The correct answer (which Hornblower clearly does not know) is to put the helm over, haul up the mainstay and spanker sails, and then shift the helm in the opposite direction in order to fill the after-sails with wind in order to regain headway. Once the wind has been recovered, the ship should then brace up the sails and bring the ship's course directly in front of the wind. The maneuver to regain wind after a fall a-back is known as "chapelling", or "Chapel Ship", and would have been something which Hornblower absolutely should have known.

Goofs
During the examination, Captain Foster describes a situation "with Dover bearing north two miles" and a "nor'easterly wind" that "veers four points". That would put the wind at east, but Hornblower is told that he would have Dover under his lee, whereas he would, at worst, have Folkestone under his lee and that eight miles off. Unless the wind were to veer a further twelve points at gale force, the tide would never put a dismasted vessel anywhere near Dover.

Quotes
[Captain Hammond's longboat finally rescues Hornblower and Foster who is very annoyed at how long it took]
Capt. Hammond: Thank God sir.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: Yes but no thanks to you sir!
Capt. Hammond: We followed as fast as we could get these rock scorpions to row.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: Mr. Hornblower come aboard sir.
Capt. Hammond: Mr. Hornblower sir.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: You will trust me following us to pick us up sir. I thought I could at least rely on a brother captain!
Capt. Hammond: What are you implying sir?
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: I make no implications sir but others may read implications into a simple statement of fact!
Capt. Hammond: I consider that an offensive remark sir.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: I congratulate you or your perspicacity sir!
Capt. Hammond: Would you care to withdraw your statement with an apology!
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: I would NOT!
Capt. Hammond: [pause then quietly and slowly] Very well we will continue this further when we reach shore.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: We will sir when I will expect an apology from you!
Capt. Hammond: [shouts] BY GOD SIR I will not stand for this! I will have recompense in a duel at first light!
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: I will look forward to that with pleasure sir!
Capt. Hammond: I will send a friend to wait on you!
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: He will be most welcome!
[everyone catches their breath, Hornblower is stunned]
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: [to Hornblower] What are you staring at man?
Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower: Nothing sir.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: [pause] My life is in your, debt, Mr. Hornblower.
Acting Lt. Horatio Hornblower: Not for long it would seem sir.
Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster: Huh?
[then realises what Hornblower means]