Rating: 
Summary: A Must See Movie
Review: Ioan Gruffud IS Horatio Hornblower, to a fault. But blimey! He marries his landlady's daughter Maria? Bloody awful! I half expected the bloke to marry a demure lovely Keira Knightley type. His ladylove is at least 8 years his senior, and perhaps this explains his desperation to return to the briny deep? And, come on! What kind of a name is "Horrie?" Every time Maria said it, I cringed. I was also concerned by Irish traitors and French skullduggery in an otherwise riveting move -and what about Horatio's Gawd bloody awful treatment of his crew? His poor cook bore the brunt of a traitor's treachery.
Credit goes NOT just to smart scripts, good direction, and the supporting cast including Robert Lindsay and Paul McGann; Gruffud's shocking good looks make him an instant HIT. Another hero to commend is GREG WISE-- as a jumped up Frenchman turncoat his acting was STUPENDOUS. Good job Greg! Keep up the good work! Jolly good show!
Rating:
Summary: It is Better To Earn Loyalty Than To Demand It
Review: "Horatio Hornblower - The New Adventure" is great, and even better than the previous movies. The battle scenes are excellent, and very realistic, especially in the sea battles where we can see splinters splashes after explosions.
But A&E takes advantage of our loyalty to Hornblower, by releasing poor quality DVDs, as these are the 7th & 8th sequels, and yet the sound still (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), it should be at least (Dolby Digital 5.1) which gives us better firing and explosions sounds.
Also, the early releases of "Horatio Hornblower - The New Adventure" DVDs are in "Full-Screen format", which is reasonable as it was made for TV. But later, they released "Horatio Hornblower - The New Adventure" DVDs on a "Widescreen format". Actually they trimmed and enlarged it to make it in "Widescreen format", which effect the quality especially in close-up scenes - Lucky me that I own the "Full-Screen version".
And unlike the previous Hornblower DVDs, this one has no useful extras, even the captioning is not an interactive function of the DVD player, but of the TV set (Closed Caption Decoder).
We love Hornblower, and Ioan Gruffudd (Horatio Hornblower) performance was excellent as always, he proved that he always conquer, in love and war.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent! A wonderful adaptation of the famous novels!
Review: "Loyalty" and "Duty" are the titles of the latest two episodes of the A&E Hornblower saga. These episodes are loosely based upon C.S. Forester's novel "Hornblower and the Hotspur" which is one of the very best Hornblower novels. For those who are unaquainted with this series, Captain Horatio Hornblower is a fictional British naval officer set in the Napoleonic Wars period circa 1800. The novels are wonderful. So is this series by A&E.In this latest production by A&E we see Hornblower become master of his own ship, with Lieutenant Bush and many of the earlier characters in the series at his side. In my opinion all of the leading actors, and for that matter the supporting ones, turn in exemplary performances. Ioan Griffudd continues to be magnificent as Captain Hornblower, and Robert Lindsay is fabulous as Admiral Pellew. Watch the series--I'm not too lavish with my praise--these guys really do a bang-up job. They do not over-act, and they are very authentic. The effects in this series, while perhaps not as lavish as might be found in a big-budget movie, are nonetheless superb, and no improvement is needed in my opinion. A&E does a great job with the sets, costumes, and effects. "Duty" and "Loyalty" in common with the rest of this series, depart significantly from the storyline of the novel ("Hornblower and the Hotspur") upon which these episodes are based. Now, I am a fanatical Hornblower afficianado, but I am here to say that this is OK--the A&E stories are excellent, and will not offend the Hornblower purist. Every time I felt that the story was departing completely from the original novel, it would suddenly revert to the novel's storyline. No spoilers here--just be assured that these are, in fact, Hornblower stories and not mere pastiches, at least in my opinion. These episodes are as good as the very best movies, and are immeasurably better than just about anything else that television produces. The DVD is crisp and clean, and the sound is excellent as well. This is a great value that anyone will enjoy repeatedly. "Duty" and "Loyalty" belong in every DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent! A wonderful adaptation of the famous novels!
Review: "Loyalty" and "Duty" are the titles of the latest two episodes of the A&E Hornblower saga. These episodes are loosely based upon C.S. Forester's novel "Hornblower and the Hotspur" which is one of the very best Hornblower novels. For those who are unaquainted with this series, Captain Horatio Hornblower is a fictional British naval officer set in the Napoleonic Wars period circa 1800. The novels are wonderful. So is this series by A&E. In this latest production by A&E we see Hornblower become master of his own ship, with Lieutenant Bush and many of the earlier characters in the series at his side. In my opinion all of the leading actors, and for that matter the supporting ones, turn in exemplary performances. Ioan Griffudd continues to be magnificent as Captain Hornblower, and Robert Lindsay is fabulous as Admiral Pellew. Watch the series--I'm not too lavish with my praise--these guys really do a bang-up job. They do not over-act, and they are very authentic. The effects in this series, while perhaps not as lavish as might be found in a big-budget movie, are nonetheless superb, and no improvement is needed in my opinion. A&E does a great job with the sets, costumes, and effects. "Duty" and "Loyalty" in common with the rest of this series, depart significantly from the storyline of the novel ("Hornblower and the Hotspur") upon which these episodes are based. Now, I am a fanatical Hornblower afficianado, but I am here to say that this is OK--the A&E stories are excellent, and will not offend the Hornblower purist. Every time I felt that the story was departing completely from the original novel, it would suddenly revert to the novel's storyline. No spoilers here--just be assured that these are, in fact, Hornblower stories and not mere pastiches, at least in my opinion. These episodes are as good as the very best movies, and are immeasurably better than just about anything else that television produces. The DVD is crisp and clean, and the sound is excellent as well. This is a great value that anyone will enjoy repeatedly. "Duty" and "Loyalty" belong in every DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Hornblower Lives! Three cheers for A&E!
Review: A&E continues to treat fans of the Horatio Hornblower book series with two new movies. These movies are at least of equal quality, if not better, than the six previous films. Everything from the ships to the costumes to the sets hit all the notes and make you feel a part of the period. Likewise the stories and acting are fabulous. Horatio is given command of the Hotspur and is forced to deal with a new crew (with some old faces), the French, spies, and rebel Irishmen. Coming through with flying colors, Hornblower tackles the unthinnkable - marriage. This second film, Duty, is the best of the series. The central theme of 'duty' is so thoroughly woven into the fabric of the story that almost all of the relationships in the narrative are faced with the question of duty. Ioan Gruffud continues to give a truly inspiring performance as Captain Hornblower. He continues to let the character grow and mature, while at the same time maintaining the core identity of Hornblower - an honorable, intelligent, courageous soldier who is wholeheartedly devoted to Britain and her navy. The relationship between Hornblower and Admiral Pellew continues to become more of a father-son relationship. Paul McGann (of Doctor Who fame, among many other things) returns as Lt. Bush. McGann gives a strong performance as Hornblower's second in command, showing that that he is more than capable of both being a leading man and an excellent supporting character. Something that many may find as a negative is the lack of totally new music. Much of the score seems to be a reworking of the major musical themes found in the first four films of the series. Personally, I find this a 'plus.' It helps establish a certain continuity to the series that is nice. I always find myself grinning when the "Horatio has done it again" theme begins playing across the cheers or astonished looks of the other characters! For those of you who have seen the Gregory Peck film, Horatio Hornblower, the A&E series is just about to catch up (chronologicall) to the events portayed in that film. Let's hope that A&E continues producing the films until the complete life & times of Horatio Hornblower are done with such excellent acting and production values! Hip-hip Horay! Hip-hip HORAY! HIP-HIP! HORAY!
Rating:
Summary: Hornblower Lives! Three cheers for A&E!
Review: A&E continues to treat fans of the Horatio Hornblower book series with two new movies. These movies are at least of equal quality, if not better, than the six previous films. Everything from the ships to the costumes to the sets hit all the notes and make you feel a part of the period. Likewise the stories and acting are fabulous. Horatio is given command of the Hotspur and is forced to deal with a new crew (with some old faces), the French, spies, and rebel Irishmen. Coming through with flying colors, Hornblower tackles the unthinnkable - marriage. This second film, Duty, is the best of the series. The central theme of 'duty' is so thoroughly woven into the fabric of the story that almost all of the relationships in the narrative are faced with the question of duty. Ioan Gruffud continues to give a truly inspiring performance as Captain Hornblower. He continues to let the character grow and mature, while at the same time maintaining the core identity of Hornblower - an honorable, intelligent, courageous soldier who is wholeheartedly devoted to Britain and her navy. The relationship between Hornblower and Admiral Pellew continues to become more of a father-son relationship. Paul McGann (of Doctor Who fame, among many other things) returns as Lt. Bush. McGann gives a strong performance as Hornblower's second in command, showing that that he is more than capable of both being a leading man and an excellent supporting character. Something that many may find as a negative is the lack of totally new music. Much of the score seems to be a reworking of the major musical themes found in the first four films of the series. Personally, I find this a 'plus.' It helps establish a certain continuity to the series that is nice. I always find myself grinning when the "Horatio has done it again" theme begins playing across the cheers or astonished looks of the other characters! For those of you who have seen the Gregory Peck film, Horatio Hornblower, the A&E series is just about to catch up (chronologicall) to the events portayed in that film. Let's hope that A&E continues producing the films until the complete life & times of Horatio Hornblower are done with such excellent acting and production values! Hip-hip Horay! Hip-hip HORAY! HIP-HIP! HORAY!
Rating:
Summary: Brittania still rules the waves
Review: About time for A&E to come to the rescue and save us from boring and useless network TV. Mr. Gruffudd shows us once again why the series is a hit. It doesn't matter that he still looks to young to command a ship . In real life Horation Nelson was commanding a ship at the age of 20!!!. In watching the series one must realize that at 18th century England there was a war time and a peacetime Navy. He (Hornblower) as a low career officer would have to wait to be assigned. Captains with years of service comes first. So you must dispel that it was always at sea and never being on land notion that one haves while watching the series.I am still waiting for the next installment of Hornblower. This still ranks with the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Hotspur of an adventure
Review: Another of A&E's made for TV versions of the Hornblower saga. This time Hornblower and the Hotspur are divided into two films and have quite a bit of new material added. I love the Hornblower sagas of adventure, loyalty, seafaring and duty. I don't really appreciate adding so much of the spies, land battles, and nonsense that the TV producers have included. Perhaps their production is better suited to filming on land. Shipboard life would undoubtedly be hard to film. However, one of the best parts of the Hornblower adventures is the life on board a navy ship at sea, with all its crowding, smells, hardship, poor food, worse water, and risk of death. It's a rollicking good yarn, and does have the flavor of Hornblower on the Hotspur, but leaves out more than it adds. Good film, but not as good as if they had stuck more to the original adventures.
Rating:
Summary: Hotspur of an adventure
Review: Another of A&E's made for TV versions of the Hornblower saga. This time Hornblower and the Hotspur are divided into two films and have quite a bit of new material added. I love the Hornblower sagas of adventure, loyalty, seafaring and duty. I don't really appreciate adding so much of the spies, land battles, and nonsense that the TV producers have included. Perhaps their production is better suited to filming on land. Shipboard life would undoubtedly be hard to film. However, one of the best parts of the Hornblower adventures is the life on board a navy ship at sea, with all its crowding, smells, hardship, poor food, worse water, and risk of death. It's a rollicking good yarn, and does have the flavor of Hornblower on the Hotspur, but leaves out more than it adds. Good film, but not as good as if they had stuck more to the original adventures.
Rating:
Summary: Hotspur of an adventure
Review: Another of A&E's made for TV versions of the Hornblower saga. This time Hornblower and the Hotspur are divided into two films and have quite a bit of new material added. I love the Hornblower sagas of adventure, loyalty, seafaring and duty. I don't really appreciate adding so much of the spies, land battles, and nonsense that the TV producers have included. Perhaps their production is better suited to filming on land. Shipboard life would undoubtedly be hard to film. However, one of the best parts of the Hornblower adventures is the life on board a navy ship at sea, with all its crowding, smells, hardship, poor food, worse water, and risk of death. It's a rollicking good yarn, and does have the flavor of Hornblower on the Hotspur, but leaves out more than it adds. Good film, but not as good as if they had stuck more to the original adventures.
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