Rating: 
Summary: Spectacular
Review: Can not get enough of the series.
I hope A&E has some more episodes in the works.
Rating: 
Summary: He's back again and better than ever!!!!!!!!
Review: For fans of the previous two box sets this is a sweet treat indeed! Although somewhat loosely based on C.S. Forrester's series of the same title, both episodes are exciting and highly entertaining. The same suspense and adventure is better than ever. I only hope the last novels of the series are filmed to make this a complete and woderful collection. I highly recommend this as an addition to your home movie library.
Rating:
Summary: Napoleon is back to his tricks but so is Horatio Hornblower
Review: For the third set of Horatio Hornblower adventures the producers have returned to following author C.S. Forester's stories more closely. This time the the pair of two-hour made for television movies, "Loyalty" and "Duty," each stand on their own, although they occupy the same period of time, when Hornblower (Ioan Gruffudd) is in charge of H.M.S. "Hotspur," and war with the France of Napoleon Bonaparte starts up again.In "Loyalty," Hornblower and the "Hotspur" are dispatched to the shores of France to see if Napoleon intends to keep the peace. This mission comes as a welcomed relief to Hornblower, who has been idling on half-pay for a year, during which time he has captured the eye of Maria Mason (Julia Sawalha), the daughter of his landlady. However, what Hornblower does not know is that there is at least one traitor aboard his ship. If that was not a big enough problem, Hornblower has to deal with Styles being his new steward. "Duty" begins with Hornblower being sick to his stomach for a different reason that finding his sea legs for once and then being dispatched on the "Hotspur" to find a missing ship. Along the way he picks up a young couple who were trying to get ashore. The husband has a French accent but claims to be Swiss, while the wife is an American. Clearly there is more to their story than they are telling. Meanwhile, once again Hornblower stumbles across one of Napoleon's plans against England and has to take matters into his own hands. Once again in addition to the grand adventures during the Napoleonic wars, the chief attraction of these Hornblower stories are the relationships between the characters. The relationship between Hornblower and Maria is on target with regards to the books and fans of the novels have to be impressed with the way the relationship between Hornblower and Bush (Paul McGann) is developed. But the masterstroke of these productions was the decision to extend the role of Robert Lindsay as Sir Edward Pellew, making him a constant presence in Hornblower's career. Every scene with Pellew is a delight, and at the end of these installments it will be Pellew's surprise for Hornblower that will move you more than Maria's news for her husband. That scene is indeed in the books, although not with Pellew, but having him do it is the highpoint of these stories. My only complaint about "Horatio Hornblower: The New Adventures" is that I really want to see more of Hornblower on the seas and less on the land. I attribute the ratio to production concerns, so I understand the logic, but still would prefer to see a bit more seafaring. Of course, with "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" showing exactly that, it is hard not to want to see Horatio Hornblower giving Lucky Jack Aubrey a run for his money. Granted, the novels of Patrick O'Brian have a depth and detail well beyond Forester, but the Hornblower stories were always ripping good yarns and the commitment of this cast and crew to bringing us more adventures every couple of years deserves a trio of hurrahs. Gruffudd has found the role of a lifetime and apparently will spend a lifetime playing the role. When is the next set of adventures coming out?
Rating:
Summary: great for all ages
Review: great action, story line, and something the whole family can watch together. If hollywood would only make more like this!
Rating:
Summary: Horblower's back...and in command!
Review: Having viewed the Australian releases of "Loyalty" and "Duty" twice in the last two months, I can say that all the non-Australian fans without region-free players will find their wait has ended on a good note. Great casting, superior location shooting, and some unique special effects will make these DVDs can't miss for Hornblower fans. Old friends are back, and old foes, along with new enemies to deal with, and new allies as well. Look for plot twists galore, some excellent ship battles, and a very unique climactic battle in the midst of snow at sea.
Very close to being my favorites of the episodes, these are so well done as to rank very highly indeed. Four stars, since Horatio fans know, Hornblower is held to a higher standard!
Rating:
Summary: Great Fun!
Review: Horatio Hornblower and the crew of the Hotspur are sent to investigate Napoleon Bonaparte and the rising threat of the French. Accompanied by a suave French officer and the young son of a rival officer, Horatio is challenged by saboteurs, a shipboard fire and other menaces. Along the way Horatio marries the daughter of his landlady not out of love- but more out of guilt. I really loved this 2 DVD set! Horatio shows a great deal of humanity and some weakness in this series and we learn a bit more about the rest of the crew. Peeves: I'm probably the only one, but I thought his Steward was treated terribly. I felt Styles was awful towards him, and that anyone could see that the Steward did not intentionally hit the officer. I also wish that Horatio's relationship with his wife was more solid. I just didn't get the sense that he was happy. Overall, an excellent, excellent video series. I hope and pray there will be another sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as the previous movies
Review: I think this series may be running out of steam. I have come to this conclusion after watching these latest Hornblower movies. What are the problems? 1. As commander of a ship, Hornblower spends an awful lot of time away from it. I am no expert on the Royal Navy, but I would imagine that this was frowned upon. 2. The actor playing Hornblower looks a little too young to be promoted to captain at the end of the second movie. 3. I really did not care about Hornblower's home life. 4. I always thought the series scored points on realism, but I'm starting to wonder about the pinpoint accuracy of the gunnery (this was not the case in the real Royal Navy) and the scene near the end where a man swims to liberty --in ice cold water that would have killed him in minutes. 5. I found myself wondering how well the not-so-subtle "Irish traitors" theme will play with viewers. I'm not consciously Irish-American, but I felt it might have been tempered with some comments about how harshly the British had treated the Irish.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked Master and Commander....
Review: If you liked Master and Commander you will love these tales. While based on the books they do deviate but remain true to the essence of the series of books by CF Forester. You are in for a special treat if you haven't seen the previous movies in the series. All are wonderful and while helpful to see in order not at all necessary. How is Ioan Grufford not a huge star in the states?
Rating:
Summary: New Adventures
Review: Like Patrick O'Brien's Master and Commander, The stories are coming closer to the real history of the times.Actions and terminology more correct, as one may need to learn more of these times themselves to fully appreciate. Again must mention the author Patrick O'Brien, C.S.Forrester and the real person and Biography upon whom both authors are actually writing about, Cochran with the version by Robert Harvey,an excellent start.
Lord and Admiral Thomas Cochran is probably the best fighting Commander of the English, and second only to Admiral Horatio Nelson,in fame not accomplishements.
So feared for his Naval and Commando Tactics [often tagged Father of British Commandos],he did in the HMS Speedy[150 men] of guns too light to penetrate the Hull of the Frigate [350 men], through invention as you go, and more so leadership, borded and defeated a bigger force by both superior skills of todays "Seals". Tactics that caused the enemy to blunder and drop through the hatchs below, which Cochran immeditieatly closed that trapped the enemy there by move cannon into a rather intimidating position.Pointed at the hatches should there be a break out. Then quickly sent a few lads back the Speedy were only the Ships Doctor had remained tending the 'ships helm and pretened to be the voice of several commnders of waiting gangs replying to Cochran's for more men or there?
At the Battle of Aix, Boney's Invasion fleet when realising it was Cochran as he blew up the Log-Chain Booms blocking the Harbor, in haste all 7 French Ships-of-=the-Line ran aground and were helpess. So by now you know he was known as the first Commando, invented Bomb ansd Fire Ships but His contribution to America and subsequent England the all Navies; Ships smaller, lighter, faster, with more Fire power. Luckly the Brits did not change until after the War of 1812. Some other minor points, He designed and built with prize money the First English Steam Powered Man-a-war. He took that and ships he owend to South America, where he joined with Simon Bolivar to deferat the Spanish both on land and at Sea.Then at request, he moved on to Brazil, where his legened helped when he Bluffed the Portugese Fleet to surrender to a smaller force.
Some time later recalled to Duty,to Constanople where the Turk and Greeks had been fighting for so long not sure when it started? Within minutes of his Sailing into the Harbor, both countries Surrendered.
So anyone gettting tired of him, his true feats and inventions and the constant battle withh is governments graft and corruption as well as that in the Admirality, he finally did the impossible and took the day. But his greatest achivement is as a reformer and one who fights for his men. It's his winning sufferage for the working man.
Been an Ocean sailor, USNA CLASS 59 First big Sail aboard the "Freedom", 80 foot ocean boat.
Great proof that history is better than fiction. Patrick O'Brien makes Cochran into two people, Capt Aubrey and Dr. Maturin
Lord Dundonald of the Cochran Clan we are really Blair-Cochran. Same family as Tony Blair.Must add two Scotsmen, Cochran and John Paul Jones coming from only a few miles of each other. Who Rah!
Robert Harvey the biographer -Lord Harvy too a and famous Admiral.Will our young actor slide into Crowes role in the O'Brien series when he finishes the Hornblower series, Let'as hope so. My complents to the Mentorand Superior of Horatio acting ability,All three equal to the man they are potraying.
Rating:
Summary: The best yet!
Review: Of all the hornblower movies, the two newest are my favorite. All the old charecters are still there- Bush, Matthews, Pellew, Stiles- and better than before, with some interesting new charecters. Keeps you gessing who the enemy is. A new twist to an old tale, you're sure to love these!
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