Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951)

Information

Siskoid
Gregory Peck takes on the role of Captain Horatio Hornblower in a 1951 adaptation of Forester's first three books, which makes for a rather episodic high seas adventure. And one in dire need of British accents. Wow. I had real trouble getting into it because most of the cast was American and not even pretending (never mind the Central Americans in "brown face"). It does move along at a good clip, with Hornblower's thoughtfulness on show and enough variety in the action to keep the audience on the hook. The ship battles are extremely well done (at least the miniature shots are, it's a bit chaotic when we close in). But on a strict plot level, most of the film focuses on the first book, then sort of tacks on the rest, which moves at break-neck speed (especially given Bush's injured leg). If this had been made with today's predilection for franchising, the first half would have been extended, and the second made into a sequel, no doubt filmed at the same time. As is, the structure is a weak point, but the adaptation finds a fair narrative through-line in its romantic entanglement, which is from the books, not a Hollywood addition, somewhat surprisingly. 5 years 9 months ago