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)

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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

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User reviews14

8.04.7K

Featured reviews

8tmatthews-98819

Plimsoll Line Goof

Pretty sure the Plimsoll Line wasn't invented until 1875, so I was pretty surprised to see it near the stem of the Indefatigable.!! Someone didn't have musch attention to detail

8CubsandCulture

A little bit more polished in direction than The Duel (Even Chance)

Gruffudd continues to give a tremendous performance as the titular hero and if nothing else the coming of age story is engaging. Likewise, the script continues to feel like the novels while expanding the segments in delightful ways. But I still find the production values to be detrimental in that they feel cheap. This film is better than The Duel (Even Chance) because the direction is more sure handed. The film feels like a second go at the cinematic language of this type of story by a director who learned from making the first film.

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.

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.

yaelbenisrael

Another success

I do not agree with Altea. The plot of the second episode of "Hornblower" is just as good as that of the first, and is quite far from being flat. Perhaps there is a little too much emphasis on the courage, luck, cleverness etc. of young Hornblower, turning him into a "mr. perfect", but that is understandable, and I think that he is still a very human character, certainly more human than the annoying never-do-wrongs from Hollywood movies. I still think this is one of the best shows I've seen, and I can't wait to see the next episode (hoping that my parents won't forget to tape it for me).

Storyline

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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]