Captain Horatio Hornblower

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Captain Horatio Hornblower

1951

1h 57m

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

10 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).

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

08/05/2019

Excellent adventure stuff.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Apr 27

4/5

Gregory Peck deemed this Napoleonic swashbuckler one of his favorite roles, as a resolute British captain rises in the admiralty and his romantic prospects while battling on the high seas.

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Jay Carmody

Washington Star

08/20/2021

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.

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

03/07/2010

Breathtaking

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

07/17/2009

Brilliant adventure film with rich visual style.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

05/15/2009

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.

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Russ G

@RT78760655 12/25/2024

Miss Mayo is lovely, perfectly coiffed and made up while withstanding the rigors of 19th Century seafaring, and Peck is handsome and dashing in this lightweight role. Good model ship action and excellent practical effects for the time; the sea battles are Old Hollywood magic and it's a wonder no one was actually killed during their filming. It would leave modern youth audiences bored especially with the mushy stuff, but probably wowed 'em back in '51. All in all a decent two-hour distraction.

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Steve D

@RT35616104 01/22/2024

A bit overblown but Peck saves it.

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10/02/2021

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.

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ashley h

@ashleyhobgood87 07/23/2018

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.

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05/02/2018

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.

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S R

@ScottR 01/16/2016

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

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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