Captain Horatio Hornblower

Original title: Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

7.7K

YOUR RATING

Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo in Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)

Trailer for this tale from the salty seas

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Action Adventure Drama War

During the Napoleonic wars, a British Navy Captain has adventures in Central American waters.During the Napoleonic wars, a British Navy Captain has adventures in Central American waters.During the Napoleonic wars, a British Navy Captain has adventures in Central American waters.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

7.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Once the flogging of Seaman Hommel (Peter Morton) was complete, vinegar was applied to the wound as an (unfortunately painful) antiseptic. If vinegar were not available salt could have been used instead, hence the saying "rubbing salt in the wound" whenever one trauma follows another.

Goofs
Hornblower asks whether Lady Barbara is related to the Duke of Wellington. This is in 1807. Sir Arthur Wellesley was elevated to the Peerage after the Battle of Talavera in 1809 and to a Dukedom in 1814 after the Army invaded France. In 1807, he was still Sir Arthur. The title of Duke of Wellington did not exist.

Quotes
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: You know why I'm having Hummill flogged, Mr. Gerard?
2nd Lt. Gerard: I reported him for fighting, sir.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: I am not having him flogged for fighting, Mr. Gerard. I'm having him flogged because you said in front of the men that you'd flog him. This is a ship of war - as it's captain, I must uphold my lieutenants' authority.
2nd Lt. Gerard: I understand, sir.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: Flogging only makes a bad man worse, Mr. Gerard... but it can break a good man's spirit. Is Hummill a bad man?
2nd Lt. Gerard: Aside from his temper, sir, he's a good sailor.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: A good sailor, ill-fed and thirsty. Watch the cat as it cuts his back to pieces, Mr. Gerard... and in the future, perhaps you'll think twice before you threaten anyone with a flogging.

Connections
Edited into Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952)

User reviews76

Review

Featured review

A Serene Noble Epic, Masterfully Told

I don't know that much about the story of Captain Horatio Hornblower, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of this version. I saw it because I was interested in its director Raoul Walsh, who creates another of his roaring and high-spirited masterworks with this serene, honest, swiftly-paced adventure of the 19th-century British Fleet Captain, from the celebrated three novels by C. F. Forester. Walsh depicts Hornblower, fantastically incarnated by Gregory Peck, as a modest man characterized by a sense of duty and honor. Peck is perfect for the role. Aided by stunning Technicolor scenery and marvellous score, this simple epic on the high seas navigates through several battles in Spain, France, and South America. Walsh's staging of the battle scenes is flawless. But I was really impressed by the romantic moments by Hornblower and Virginia Mayo's Lady Barbara Wellesley. Their love scenes are wonderfully gentle and moving without being forcefully sentimental.

"Captain Horatio Hornblower" is a great timeless classic from a master director.