Gregory Peck was a gifted actor, with a strong baritone voice. He was suited to the role of Horatio Hornblower: a captain in the British navy, during the war with Napoleon. This movie was filmed in various locations, with Raoul Walsh at the helm. Virginia Mayo is good as Hornblower’s love interest, Lady Barbara Wellesley. Mayo’s character helps to soften Hornblower’s stressful life as a sea captain. She did various roles many were comic. She is the light on the ship at sea in this film.This movie, is able to sustain interest, mainly through the troubles and triumphs of Peck’s character. Raoul Walsh has done well, with the scenes on the open water, especially the battle scenes. It was a very good idea to film a movie, that takes place across the world, in technicolor.
The movie gives a good picture of life at sea. The men are grumbling, about being out to sea for a long time. This is brought to the captain’s attention, by his officers. He assures them, that his calculations, will get them to land. This is a bluff, which the captain details, in his journal. The captain is proven correct, when land is found. This land has a castle, with a man, living in it. His life goal, is to become a brutal dictator. Hornblower gifts him a captured Spanish ship, for diplomatic reasons. This later backfires, and Captain Hornblower, later sinks the ship, with the would be despot on board.
The ship, The Lydia and it’s crew, are always running into danger. The biggest danger, is when fever breaks out. Many of the crew become ill. Lady Barbara gets the fever, after nursing crewmen to health. She is cared for by the captain. Gregory Peck shows off his acting talent, with his look of worry and pain. It is then that the captain realizes he loves her. This goes against everything since the captain is married, and Lady Barbara is engaged. When he is back in England, Captain Horatio Hornblower, is given command of a top of the line warship. The admiralty feels that because he aquitted himself and his ship in battle, he has earned it. He takes this into danger as well, winning the day for the British navy.
Captain Horatio Hornblower, was adapted to the screen, by C. S. Forester. He wrote several novels featuring the character. The script was written by Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts and Aeneas MacKensie. There is very good dialogue, particularly between Hornblower and Lt. William Bush, (Robert Beatty). A script can make or break a movie. The script is good. That is what makes this movie, more than just a typical film set on the sea.