The Holy Book Of McGann
Work Of McGann-"Hornblower"
**THE FOLLOWING REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
Well folks, I particularly enjoyed this role so I'm making this a feature artical.
Synopsises
EPISODE ONE-"THE EVEN CHANCE"
Horatio Hornblower, a young an nervous young man, is the new midshipman for the HMAS Indefatticable. After a very hostile encounter with Jack Simpson, he is woken every hour during the following night by midshipman Kennady.
The next day he is the only midshipman to do well on the navagation test, and much to Simpson's hate he gets glowing praise from the ship's captain, Keene. Simpson gets his revenge and straps hornblower to a table and proceeds to beat him. Hornblower claims his injuries occured in a fall when questioned. He writes a letter home saying how happy he is, not at all letting on the misery he is going through.
A time later he and some other shipmates play cards. Simpson cheats, but instead accuses Hornblower. They settle to have a duel.
EPISODE TWO-"THE EXAMINATION FOR LIEUTENANT"
Anchored In the Bay of Cadiz, The Indefatigable is approached by a Spanish eight-oared pinnace. Its formal captain informs Pellew that Spain has made peace with France. Spain is therefore now neutral rather than Britain's ally, and will be entitled under the rules of neutrality to fire at the Indefatigable if she remains at anchor off Cadiz. Pellew is livid, but he has no choice but to make sail.
Meanwhile in the Straits of Gibraltar a Spanish frigate has fired a warning shot at a British transport ship. The british ship's captian has not heared of the truce yet and a battle begins.
When the Indefaticable arrives, there is nothing but a wrecked british ship and Foster, the captian, and two other surviors. Foster tells his rescuers he was en route to resume command of his ship HMS Dreadnought.
Foster and Pellew are old friends, but Hornblower lookes up to the latter greatly. His respect is also returned. Pellew puts Hornblower up for promotion to be lieutenant.
The Indefaticable's crew's rations are halved. A crewman, Bunting, gave his rations to a mate, who unfortuatly dies of feaver. Stowing away on a small expidition in a Longboat, accompanied by a store ship, to the port of Oran he is intent on desertion.
It is shown that Oran is in the grips of the plague, so Hornblower and his men are quarantined on the stores ship. When the ship stops to take on more water, Bunting makes a run for it and is shot by Hornblower. Feeling he has failed, Hornblower wonders if he is worthy of command.
Everyone rushes outside to see a Spanish fire ship heading straight for the Indefatigable. Hornblower and Foster immediately leap into a shore boat, board the fire ship, and steer it away from the Indefatigable, saving the entire crew from almost certain death.
Pellew is greatly impresses by Hornblower's courage, and urges him not to worry about the exam. He says he has "already tasted the bitter brew that is a captain's life", and will be better prepared for the next exam.
EPISODE THREE-"THE DUCHESS AND THE DEVIL"
Hornblower, now promoted to Acting Lieutenant, assisted by just five men captures the French sloop Le Reve off the Spanish coast. The captain of the French ship is furious that a youngster has pulled off such a coup. But Pellew congratulates Hornblower on the squadron�s first successful action in six weeks of blockade against the Spanish and French. Hornblower is astonished to hear that Le Reve is his prize ship. After sailing it to Portsmouth, he may make �1,000 in prize money - his first taste of riches.
But far more daunting is Hornblower�s first taste of the high life, when he is invited to dine with the Governor of Gibraltar and his wife. The prospect of meeting Sir Hew and Lady Dalrymple is frightening enough, but an unexpected guest puts him in a spin. The glamorous and flirtatious Duchess of Wharfedale seems intent on teasing him. Hornblower is flustered by her attention, while the Duchess is delighted to see his confused reactions.
The acquaintance doesn�t end with dinner. Hornblower is asked to escort the Duchess to England, and to take a packet of important naval dispatches with him.
Out at sea they find themselves in thick fog, but in the middle of the Spanish fleet. As the fog lifts they raise Le Reve�s original French colours, but the Spanish fleet is not fooled, and forces Le Reve to surrender.
Anxious to protect the despatches from falling into Spanish hands, Hornblower is desperate to find a safe place. The coquettish Duchess suggests the perfect hiding place, tucked safely in her frilly skirts. It seems like a good idea until Hornblower hears the Duchess speaking Spanish to their captors. Could she be a spy?
They are taken to the Spanish mainland, and thrown into jail, where Hornblower discovers his old friend Archie Kennedy. The midshipman has been in prison since being washed ashore, after being cast adrift by his old enemy Simpson.
Midshipman Hunter is determined to escape from the prison at the earliest opportunity. But Hornblower insists they will go only when they are fully prepared, and they will take the ailing Kennedy with them. Hunter is openly scornful of Hornblower�s resolve, and believes Kennedy will merely slow them down.
Hunter is even less impressed by the surprise arrival of the Duchess at the same Spanish prison, all be it in better quarters, and with significant influence over the prison governor Don Massaredo. The Duchess persuades the governor to allow Hornblower to take walks with her outside the confines of the prison every afternoon. Despite Hornblower�s initial reluctance, he forms an attachment to the flirtatious Duchess.
Hunter and the men are deeply suspicious of Hornblower�s motives. But Kennedy is more suspicious of the Duchess. He thinks she is an imposter, and reveals to Hornblower that she is actually an actress, Katharine Cobham.
Don Massaredo�s invitation to dinner provides further proof, when a visiting officer, Colonel de Vergesse, unmasks the Duchess as the actress he saw on a London stage.
Hornblower is now convinced he has given his precious despatches to an untrustworthy liar. But the Duchess uses her feminine wiles to protect both her true identity, and the despatches. Soon she is en route for Portugal, and friendly territory, with the vital information safely tucked away.
Hunter�s impatience leads to an abortive escape attempt, during which two guards are killed and Hunter is wounded. Hornblower insists on accepting responsibility for the rash and violent escape bid, and is duly punished by Don Massaredo. Hornblower is locked in a rat infested hell hole, starved of food and just rainwater to drink- conditions which would break the will of lesser men.
Hornblower�s privileges are restored on his release, and he gives his word he will not break his parole as an officer. Later as he walks along the beach with Don Massaredo they witness a Spanish ship in peril on stormy seas.
Hornblower persuades Massaerdo to allow him and his crew to mount a daring rescue mission. By the time they reach the stricken ship there are just five survivors, one of whom is the Duchess. Hunter is swept away in the rescue bid. The dangerous mission takes its toll. The Duchess is near to death when they are rescued by the Indefatigable.
Hornblower insists he and his crew should return to prison, as he gave his parole to Don Massaredo. But Captain Pellew says Hornblower�s men have the right to choose whether to remain on board or return.
All the men choose to follow their newly promoted officer, Lieutenant Hornblower. Two weeks later the Spanish authorities order Hornblower�s release, along with his men in an acknowledgement of their selfless actions and bravery. But Don Massaredo believes this is not the last they have seen of Hornblower. He surmises he will be back to plague the Spanish.
EPISODE FOUR-"THE FROGS AND THE LOBSTERS"
In London, Hornblower is being fitted with his Lieutenant�s uniform. Pellew is being briefed by Admiral Lord Hood on the Indefatigable�s next mission- to escort French �migr� troops across the Channel to raise a Royalist insurrection against the Republican government. Pellew is sceptical about their chance of success, especially when he hears that the campaign orders of General Charette, commander of the �migr� troops, have been stolen.
Three other ships, the Sophia, the Dunbarton, and the Catherine, sail with the Indefatigable. On board are the French troops - the Frogs, and the British infantry- the Lobsters, who have been sent to assist them. The prickly Earl of Edrington is in charge of the lobsters, while Charette is assisted by the Marquis de Moncoutant, who is making a highly symbolic return to France.
The Indefatigable�s destination is Muzillac, the village of which Moncoutant is Lord, and where he expects to be greeted with open arms by his loyal villagers. The plan is for Moncoutant to rouse his subjects into action against the Republican troops, while holding a vital bridge, and manning a ford in the event of enemy attack. Charette and the rest of the �migr� forces disembark at nearby Quiberon, where the Indefatigable is to remain at anchor in case the troops have to retreat.
To Moncoutant�s horror the villagers are now all Republicans, and clearly hate him. They refuse to lower the Tricolour, and in his rage Moncoutant kills the man who is now mayor. The guillotine he has brought with him is then put into action to deal with insubordinate villagers. The Englishmen are appalled, as is the village schoolteacher, Mariette, when Moncoutant closes the school and orders the children to work in the fields. Hornblower is captivated by the beautiful Mariette, and is anxious to protect her from Moncoutant.
Pellew is worried. It is all too quiet. His worst fears are confirmed the following day. The bridge at Muzillac is under attack, and the enemy decimates Charette�s troops. Charette�s campaign plans obviously did fall into enemy hands. Pellew is distraught that his own men have been killed in the battle, but knows that he has get to Muzillac to evacuate the remaining troops, including Hornblower; as long as he�s not too late.
In Muzillac Hornblower and Edrington are having trouble with Moncoutant. He is supposed to be their commanding officer, but he�s too busy executing villagers. Hornblower and Edrington realise they are on their own. Mounted Republican troops, leading a column of infantry is heading for the village. Hornblower rides into Muzillac to persuade Moncoutant to command his troops.
While Hornblower is stuck with the �migr�s in the village, Edrington, the Lobsters and Hornblower�s men have formed a defence on the beach side of Muzillac bridge. The bridge will have to be blown up to protect them, leaving Hornblower stranded.
There�s mayhem in Muzillac. The villagers have turned on Moncoutant, dragging him to the guillotine. Hornblower has to escape, but he won�t go without Mariette. Pursued by Republican troops, Hornblower and Mariette make it to the bridge just as it is about to be blown up by his own men. But a Republican bullet kills Mariette. Hornblower is distraught, and refuses to leave the dead girl. Kennedy persuades him to run to safety just seconds before the bridge explodes.
But as they reach the beach they can see the Republican troops charging over the dunes towards them. At that moment the Indefatigable appears firing at the republicans, and forcing them to retreat.
The survivors return to the Indefatigable, where Pellew delivers wisdom and praise to his favourite prot�g�.
EPISODE FIVE-"MUTINY"
Horatio Hornblower languishes in a prison cell in Kingston, Jamaica, charged with mutiny. Visited by his old mentor, Sir Edward Pellew, he recounts the events on HMS Renown which have led to his incarceration:
The 74 Gun ship sets sail for Samana Bay in the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo, where a group of enemy privateers is preying on British Merchant ships. The ship is commanded by the volatile and tyrannical Captain James Sawyer, who teeters on the brink of madness...
Visited by his old mentor, Sir Edward Pellew, he recounts the events on HMS Renown which have led to his incarceration:
The 74 Gun ship sets sail for Samana Bay in the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo, where a group of enemy privateers is preying on British Merchant ships. The ship is commanded by the volatile and tyrannical Captain James Sawyer, who teeters on the brink of madness: his increasingly irrational behaviour culminates in the severe and unjust beating of the young Midshipman Wellard, whom both Hornblower and Lieutenant Kennedy endeavour to protect, whilst the new arrival, (YAY FOLKS -->)Lieutenant Bush, appears to side with the captain.
Sawyer also punishes Hornblower, by placing him on continuous watch, warning him of the dreadful consequences if he is found asleep. Despite his erratic behaviour, Sawyer enjoys the unswerving loyalty of his old shipmates Doctor Clive and Gunner Hobbs.
Sawyer's punishment of Wellard becomes an obsession, which ultimately distracts him when the Renown is threatened by two French frigates. Only Hornblower's ingenuity saves the ship from disaster.
The captain's lurch into madness is completed when he accosts Hornblower asleep on watch and warns him that his life is now in Sawyer's hands. This action ultimately forces the four lieutenants to plan to remove him from command. However, fate intervenes and the captain meets with a nasty accident. As he falls (or was he pushed?) into the hold, he is knocked unconscious.
The weak-willed Lieutenant Buckland endeavours to assume acting command, but Doctor Clive refuses to declare the captain unfit.
Sawyer awakens from a drug induced coma and places Lieutenants Bush, Hornblower and Kennedy under arrest and resumes command as the Renown enters Samana Bay and comes under heavy fire from the Spanish fort.
Sawyer's actions lead to the Renown running aground but Hornblower saves the ship and in an act of astonishing bravery, he forces the doctor to declare the captain unfit to command. Sawyer is detained in a straight jacket as the ship sails out of danger.
Pellew warns Hornblower that he faces an almost certain guilty verdict; the prospect death.
EPISODE SIX-RETRIBUTION
Kingston, Jamaica. The court martial begins and events which took place on board the Renown are about to come under close scrutiny.
Hornblower, Bush and Kennedy lead their men ashore to attack the Spanish fort, having persuaded Buckland that a victory could well stand them in good stead when they reach Kingston.
Meanwhile, Captain Sawyer remains a virtual prisoner in his cabin, reduced to goading the hapless Buckland and convinced that someone pushed him into the hold, but who is the guilty man? Sooner or later he will remember.
The bungling Buckland inadvertently alerts the Spanish to the imminent attack, turning Hornblower and his men into sitting ducks.
The battle begins. Bush leads the onslaught above ground while Hornblower attacks via tunnels beneath the fort. As Bush is facing defeat, his shipmates blast their way into the body of the fort and overpower the enemy, leading to the Spanish surrender and ultimately the capture of the enemy vessels as prizes of war.
Once again, it is Hornblower's leadership and ingenuity that wins the day, much to the chagrin of Buckland.
The defeated Spaniards are taken prisoner on board the Renown. Buckland insists that Hornblower must remain ashore to blow up the fort, knowing that he is unlikely to survive. But aided by Bush and Kennedy, Hornblower succeeds and returns to the Renown a hero. Buckland charges Hornblower with the safe return of the prize ships.
While Buckland sleeps, the Spanish prisoners attack and attempt to take over the Renown. In the midst of battle, Hornblower boards the Renown and leads his men in a desperate rearguard action but he cannot save Wellard and Captain Sawyer who are shot. Dying in Hobbs' arms, Wellard whispers the name of the man who pushed Sawyer into the hold.
In court, Hornblower's fate hangs on whether or not he pushed the captain. Buckland says he did and insists that Hobbs will corroborate, but Sawyer's loyal gunner refuses to denounce his old enemy.
Ignoring Pellew's plea for mercy, the captains of the court insist that the question must be put to Hornblower himself. As a man of honour he must answer truthfully. Did he, or did he not push Captain Sawyer into the hold?
As Hornblower could be about to condemn himself to death, a surprise witness appears in court. His best friend, Archie Kennedy, who is dying from wounds sustained in the battle to retake the Renown, declares that it was he who pushed the captain.
Hornblower is saved by his best friend's dying words and Sir Edward Pellew awards Hornblower the command of the captured Spanish ship, renamed Retribution.
Paul's comments on the character of Bush
"Bush is Second Lieutenant of The Renown. He is a career sailor, very solid and totally dependable. He's a man of few words and does nothing for effect."
"I've played action roles before. I like them. It�s great fun to be storming a fort with your mates doing nothing too complex or dark or ambiguous. It�s just great to get into your tights and fire your musket. It's refreshing to get a bow and arrow in your hand or command an army or ride or horse or whatever. It sure beats leaning on a mantelpiece, having a mild tiff in some drawing room."
Behind the scenes
The previous two Hornblower films were shot over a 12 week period during the summer of 2000. Six weeks were spent on location in Menorca, taking place on a rugged headland north of the island's capital Mahon, called La Molla. The peninsula is home to a massive rambling fortress which has protected the deepest natural harbour in the world for centuries, giving the program a truely authentic air.
Now a military zone, La Molla provided the answer to several problems faced by the film's producers. In the story, Hornblower's ship The Renown, sails to the West Indies where Spanish privateers are attacking British merchant ships in a bay off Santo Domingo. To see off the privateers, The Renown must enter the bay, but the bay is protected by an impenetrable fortress, built above a labyrinth of tunnels. Due to Hornblower's wits, his men spring a surprise attack on the Spaniards and take control of the fort after a ferocious battle.
The fort at La Molla in Menorca bears a remarkable resemblance to the fortress in the story, even down to the cellars and labyrinthine tunnels beneath. Not only that, but the same peninsula also provided the perfect spot to construct the upper decks of The Renown, a rugged cliff top 100 feet above the sea with an uninterrupted horizon.
Filming on location was followed by six in the UK at Pinewood Studios. Exteriors of the court room in Kingston, Jamaica, were also filmed in Menorca, but the court room scenes themselves were filmed in Bishop's Palace, in Fulham, London.
In actual fact, hornblower features two ships � The Grand Turk and a Baltic Trader called The Julia, also using eleven model ships to recreate Hornblower�s epic encounters with the French and Spanish. Over five metres long, these models are exact scale replicas, weighing over a ton and a half. Each took eight weeks to build in a Russian shipyard founded by Peter the Great. The rigging functions, the guns fire via remote control and they can sail with a moderate wind.
Costume designer, John Mollo, had the following to say about the actor's authentic outfits:
"The first series was set in 1793, and now we're in 1802 so fashions are changing. We have had about 600 costumes on this production, most of which were for the extras.
"The costumes are as authentic as we can make them. There was no regular uniform for the ordinary seamen. The purser of the ship bought stuff in bulk for them, so there was a certain amount of uniformity, but it wasn't regulation. Otherwise we have the British officers who wear blue uniforms, the Marines who wear red, and the Spanish, who are in white.
"The actors have a tendency not to wear their hats if they can possibly avoid it. But our director, Andrew Grieve, insists that they do. Nowadays, people don't wear hats at all, so actors don't like wearing them but they have to for the sake of authenticity.
"The biggest problem for us was getting the costumes dry for the next morning whenever they got wet, which was quite often. That and blood. Script writers shouldn't be allowed to have either rain or blood in their scripts. Unfortunately, the Hornblower stories are full of both."