Captain Horatio Hornblower

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Captain Horatio Hornblower

1951

1h 57m

Adventure

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100%

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9 Reviews

78%

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1,000+ Ratings

Capt. Horatio Hornblower (Gregory Peck) helms the HMS Lydia for a treacherous transatlantic mission near the dawn of the 19th century, during which his faithful crew battle both a Spanish warship and a ragged band of Central American rebels. In the process, he also saves Lady Barbara Wellesley (Virginia Mayo), whose brother is the Duke of Wellington. Though the couple fall in love during their return to England, she is betrothed to Hornblower's rival, Rear Adm. Leighton (Denis O'Dea).

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Excellent adventure stuff.

Aug 5, 2019

Full Review

Jay Carmody

Washington Star

It is unlikely that even the most intense of Hornblower admirers will find anything to complain of in Peck's portrait of the lion-hearted captain, or of Miss Mayo's impersonation of the fiery, lovely Lady Barbara.

Aug 20, 2021

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Breathtaking

Mar 7, 2010

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Brilliant adventure film with rich visual style.

Jul 17, 2009

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Captain Horatio Hornblower showed the 64 year-old director Raoul Walsh still able to conjure up a rousing good action picture, even in color and with a largish budget.

May 15, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A thinking person's swashbuckler.

Rated: B

Oct 16, 2008

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Steve D

A bit overblown but Peck saves it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

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Audience Member

Great film peck is perfect as the lead. Great costumes and battle scenes .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I still enjoy this movie but it is dated with old acting style. Still enjoyable but with some old things not getting away with today. The Mexicans are darkened to look Mestizo (insults me as I am a Conquistador (white)). Mother and Grandmother in love with Peck so growing up saw this movie 2x a year.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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ashley h

Captain Horatio Hornblower is an excellent film. It is about Horatio Hornblower getting caught up in the shifting political tensions between Spain and England. Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo give incredible performances. The screenplay is well written. Raoul Walsh did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and adventure. Captain Horatio Hornblower is a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Played loose with the storylines of a few of the books and changed hey facts. However, the portrayal of the characters and events was good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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S R

A fine swashbuckler drama with a fine story and cast. They should remake this. 3.5/5 11/9/23 - saw it again and it still impresses. Saw on TCM. 4/5

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

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Raoul Walsh

Director

Gregory Peck

Capt. Horatio Hornblower R.N

Virginia Mayo

Lady Barbara Wellesley

Robert Beatty

Lt. William Bush

Terence Morgan

2nd Lt. Gerard

Moultrie Kelsall

Lt. Crystal

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Synopsis

Capt. Horatio Hornblower (Gregory Peck) helms the HMS Lydia for a treacherous transatlantic mission near the dawn of the 19th century, during which his faithful crew battle both a Spanish warship and a ragged band of Central American rebels. In the process, he also saves Lady Barbara Wellesley (Virginia Mayo), whose brother is the Duke of Wellington. Though the couple fall in love during their return to England, she is betrothed to Hornblower's rival, Rear Adm. Leighton (Denis O'Dea).

Director: Raoul Walsh
Producer: Raoul Walsh
Screenwriter: Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts, Æneas MacKenzie
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 57m

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