I have just watched a movie on TCM that I remember from my younger Sunday afternoons in front of the TV. Captain Horatio Hornblower is a smashing movie. The rip roaring action is counterpointed by Gregory Peck’s introspection as the Captain of the Lydia. There is rousing music and romance as well as political intrigue in this 1951 offering from Raoul Walsh. It is a splendid example of the adventure movies that were popular in the early fifties. It looks splendid too as is utilises the Technicolor process to bring its exotic locales to vivid life.
Virginia Mayo provides the romantic interest as Lady Barbara and the scenes between her and Peck are played lightly initially and grow in depth. There are some great moments where we see Hornblower as a great leader with an inspirational mind set.
It also features some great character actors, James Robertson Justice, Stanley Baker, Robert Beatty and Christopher Lee pops up in villainous form.
Its action and adventure are really joyful and it is a lovely piece of pure cinema in the sense that it takes you along on the swash buckling adventure. Historical inaccuracies, dodgy accents and stage sets cannot diminish its enjoyment. Smashing.
