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From Amazon.co.uk
Based freely on the classic novels by CS Forester, Hornblower is a series of TV films following the progress of a young officer through the ranks of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The series greatest asset is the handsome and charismatic Ioan Gruffudd in the lead role, surely a major star in the making.
For television films, the production values are very good, though as Titanic, Waterworld and The Perfect Storm demonstrated, filming an aquatic adventure is a very expensive business, and it is clear that the Hornblower dramas simply make the best of comparatively small budgets. No more faithful to Forester's books than the 1951 Gregory Peck classic Captain Horatio Hornblower, the real inspiration seems to have come from the success of Sharpe, starring Sean Bean, which likewise featured a British hero in the Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, while rather more easy-going than the real British navy of the time, the Hornblower saga delivers an entertaining adventure, greatly enhanced by the presence of such guest stars as Denis Lawson, Cheri Lunghi, Ronald Pickup and Anthony Sher. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
Featuring two unreleased feature length episodes: Hornblower: Loyalty and Hornblower: Duty
The voyage continues with the release of the seventh and eighth episodes in the series as we follow Horatio Hornblower on his next seafaring epic adventures. From Midshipman to Post-Captain all is well for Hornblower as he sets sail for France to unravel what the French are plotting along with his faithful crew on The Mighty Hotspur. Full of action, intrigue and romance Hornblower battles against the sins of the sea and discovers the true relationship between the French, the English and the Irish as well as a touch of romance for himself.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have never felt compelled to write about a product I have purchased until now. I had seen 1 or 2 episodes of the series by accident on the TV not knowing what it was to begin with and wanted to see the whole series from the beginning so I treated myself and must say that they are better than expected in fact I would even go so far to say that they are truly inspirational. The acting is brilliant and convincing. I actually sat through 3 episdoes 1 evening ( over 4 hours ) and I do not usually watch much tv at all. If you are interested in the wooden ship era, or georgian period or indeed period drama's then you wont be dissapointed.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By J. R. Cook
Format:DVD
Having been a fan of Sharpe, I felt saddened when the series came to an end. ITV had excelled themselves with the series, unlike 99% of their schedual, it didn't involve some unorthodox police detecive. If fact the period feel was so good, it seemed more like a BBC production that that of ITV.
When I heard that ITV were going to produce a series of Hornblower adventures, I had a nasty feeling that it was going to be a poor man's replacement for Sharpe. I thought that due to the budget, the sea battles would feature wobbly model shots, like something from Michael Benntine's Potty Time.
How wrong I was, this production turned out to be an excellent series. The company of actors are perfectly cast in their respective roles. Each film moves at a cracking pace, whilst managing to avoid disruptive,trendy MTV style editting. It's easy to see that this series was made by people who cared about the subject and were not in it just for the money.
Buy it now, you won't be disappointed.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By H. Bandy
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read Hornblower avidly since I was 13 and can remember jumping for joy when I found out the books were being made into a series of TV films! Yay! I was certainly not disappointed with them and watch them over and over again for hours at a time. Ioan Gruffudd is excellent as Hornblower, really capturing the character and the supporting cast does not disappoint. Great acting all round. Everyone should watch at least one episode in their lifetime, you'll be hooked!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hornblower
Well produced drama of historical fiction.
The element of 'truism' makes it more enjoyable viewing.
A well balanced cast.
The element of 'truism' makes it more enjoyable viewing.
A well balanced cast.
Published on 23 May 2010 by AE Wheeler
5.0 out of 5 stars
present
bought for my husband who is a avid Hornblower fan - delighted with the series and has re-watched many times. thoroughly enjoyed it.
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by Mrs. M. Wilks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
You will not be disappointed by this film if your taste is an order of magnitude greater than that of the semi-sentient beings who enjoy "Pirates of the Caribbean". Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2008 by Pragmatist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Everything about this is great. The music, the action, plot everything. Very enjoyable if you have any interest in the Age of Sail or similar themed films or tv shows and still... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2006 by Porunga
5.0 out of 5 stars
WHY ? no longer available at 'Realistic' price.
This is an excellant series of DVD's. Well made, Large scale (as much as I love the 'Sharpe' series it does lack a hundred or so Extra's to give the battles credibility. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2006 by RJS Jenner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just superb in every way
Saw some of the programmes, read the books, now viewing the DVD's and re-reading the books. I can't remember enjoying a TV drama so much since Keith Mitchell and Glenda Jackson in... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2005 by Mr. Philip G. A. Baldwin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great action!
Many people made a comparison between Sharpe and Hornblower as TV series and in fact the themes are the same. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
hornblower blew me away!
hornblower is the most spectacular tv drama ever! ioan grufford, jamie bamber, and philip glenister all look totally gorgoues in their uniforms and the acting is brillant,... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hornblower
Hornblower is the best nautical thing on tv, it is the best thing I have ever wached. Ion Gruffud and Robert Linsday are spectacular in it and it is filmed very well based on the... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2004 by matthew pickin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hornblower, THE man of duty
After reading the magnificent books of CS Forester, those DVD brought us an new and additional pleasure to meet again this perfect gentlemen of duty and honor. Read more
Published on 20 May 2004 by FRANCIS
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