Horatio Hornblower Vol. 2 - The Fire Ships (1999)

Based on the rousing sea adventures in C.S. Forester's novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, the four-film television series Horatio Hornblower explores the education of a plucky young officer rising through the ranks of His Majesty's Navy. Ioan Gruffudd is all integrity and honor as the ambitious midshipman who is taken under the stern yet nurturing guidance of Captain Pellew (Robert Lindsay) during the war against France in the French Revolution. Through these four adventures he faces a vindictive senior midshipman ("The Even Chance"); meets his hero, a reckless captain whose unorthodox methods are brave but foolhardy ("The Examination for Lieutenant"); is captured by the Spanish in a desperate maneuver to sneak through enemy lines ("The Duchess and the Devil"); and leads his men to French soil in an ill-planned attempt by French loyalists to start a popular front against the revolution ("The Frogs and the Lobsters"). The excellent re-creations of 18th-century vessels and ship-to-ship battles are astounding and reminiscent of such classic Hollywood seafaring adventures as Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk, not to mention Captain Horatio Hornblower, with Gregory Peck as the only previous screen incarnation of Forester's hero. This mixture of swashbuckling adventure and British naval tradition is leavened with well-placed humor and a cast of colorful characters, but at the heart of the tales is Gruffudd's quick-thinking, courageous Hornblower, a starry-eyed officer with the luck of the gods and the steely determination of an old-fashioned hero. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com essential video

great sea stories

Other than not exactly following the books, these are really good sea stories. For all lovers of the wooden ships and iron men era. October 5, 2007

Young Horatio, a man of brave action and swift judgment.

The Fire Ship, which is the second episode in a series of 8, is full of heroic action, especially on the part of the handsome young brave Horatio Hornblower. As you watch the film, you may be reminded of the antics of James Bond in the 007 series, where it is the combination of brains and brawn that triump over adversity. Horatio Hornblower has been gifted with these same attributes however he is younger, innocent in the ways of the world, and respectful of authority that is James Bond. I say that Horatio is innocent in the ways of the world and yet when he confronts evil or hubris, he responds with wise action every time. Is this realistic? No. Is it fun? Yes, and very entertaining. This episode is divided into two parts. In the first half Horatio, his loyal men, and a pompous bureaucrat must purchase supplies from an Iranian village and encounter plague. They must be quarantined for weeks before they can join the rest of the fleet. A young, crazed member of his crew continues to test Horatio's patience throughout the ordeal. In the second half, Horatio studies for his lieutenant's exam, only to have his orals interrupted as the Spanish send a fire ship into an English harbor to wreck havoc. It is then that Horatio shows that he is a man of action and bravery to his superiors. The acting and photography are first class. Very entertaining. October 3, 2007

Horatio Hornblower Series

This order was received in good condition and in a timely manner. However, it is a gift for my daughter's birthday in August. Therefore, I cannot comment on the quality until she receives it and plays the DVDs. July 18, 2007

Loved it!

We loved this Hornblower set! We had watched it on PBS years ago and couldn't wait to see it at home! It's a great adventure period movie. July 17, 2007

The Best For Pure Entertainment

I read the 11 books in the Hornblower series many years ago and again recently. Then, I picked up the DVD set for all 8 currently in release. Wow! A real movie; not Hollywood junk. The stories are held close to the books, the actors are incredible, and filming is beyond good. This is well worth whatever you pay for it because it's real entertainment and not contrived like most of Hollywood's work. Get it, share it, enjoy it. January 18, 2006

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