Though I know it has plot holes and problems galore, the Andrews/Seymour edition will always be my favorite.

One of my favorite shows! I also couldn’t watch more than an episode of the Richard Grant version because he didn’t pull off Percy at all. With Anthony Andrews, you believed he was a hero pretending to be a fop. With Grant, he just WAS a fop, and I couldn’t believe him as a hero.

I remember when I was a kid, Hubert Humphrey as VP was introduced by some big reporter as Hubert Horatio Hornblower, which cracked me up and utterly delighted me.

Thanks for the review.

I usually adore Richard E Grant in about everything he does…except the “Pimpernel” series. I tried the first episode and couldn’t finish it. Elizabeth McGovern just seemed so miscast to me. Though I know it has plot holes and problems galore, the Andrews/Seymour edition will always be my favorite.

I watched Horatio Hornblower a couple years back. Russell Crowe’s Master and Commander built me up for this show. Borrowed the whole thing from the library (yay for great library systems that has everything!). Totally loved Hornblower despite his somewhat over-zealous sense of duty (especially when he married out of duty). At the time I remember thinking how I really liked the series despite a lack of long-term romance. But I felt like it fit since Hornblower is such a dutiful man and the sea-faring aspect is just as interesting as the romance. I almost couldn’t sit through fantastic four…I still did because there was Gruffudd and Jessica Alba…and the guy from Charmed.

When a series lack obvious romantic heart-wrenching/warming moments, however, I tend to not re-visit the show. I own the Scarlet Pimpernel series starring Richard E. Grant and I still review it now and then just to savour the moments between Percy and Marguerite but could not persuade myself to buy Hornblower.

Another great surprise was recognizing Jamie Bamber when I first watched Battlestar Galactica…which prompted me to review his performance in Pimpernel and Hornblower again. BBC recognizes great talents early.

I’ve read the novels too, though book-Hornblower often frustrates me as a character because he’s so full of insecurities, neuroses, and apparent self-loathing. CSF wanted to explore the Napoleonic naval officer as the quintessential Man Alone; he succeeded but it’s not much fun reading Hornblower’s self-flagellation sessions, which are both lengthy and frequent.

I saw a lifesize cutout of Ioan Gruffudd as Hornblower and spent the whole time trying to work out how I could smuggle it home in my handbag.

I take it you didn’t work out how to smuggle it home? Bummer….

Read the books. They are wonderfully written, even for those of us with less than no interest in naval history. The most romantic is The Happy Return, though the happy ending doesn’t come immediately. Hornblower is just an amazing, complex character, who embodies so much of the British class system, with his natural reserve, his massive insecurities, his stiff upper lip, his tactical brilliance, and his desire to always appear totally in control.

Excellent review.

I too, love Cherie Lunghi–if you can find it, check out the 80s BBC version of Much Ado About Nothing with her and Robert Lindsay as Beatrice and Bendick–it’s just lovely.

I’ve already got it in my Netflix queue and am looking forward to it! I’ve enjoyed watching Lindsay in the “My Family” series and as Inspector Jericho.

I taped this series when it first showed up on PBS. But I’ll have to get the DVD’s — once we actually upgrade to a DVD recorder.

I taped one or two during the TV presentations on A&E, then bought the original 4 as VHS tapes but had never gotten the last two. When I saw the total series offered as a box set at a good price, I bought it.

That being said, I found the last two not as enjoyable as the first bunch.

David Warner has a turn as a deranged captain that Hornblower has to contend with and I enjoyed that but found his character to be just a little too over the top for my tastes. That being said, I enjoyed a more confident Hornblower. Sawalha did capture the character pretty well but I think it’s a hard one to translate to the screen without seeming too pathetic. Paul McGann was simply exemplary as Lt. Bush. His chemistry with Gruffudd really came through.

The last two I admit were a bit of a trial to me. The budget had obviously been cut further and I can’t say anything more than they felt wrong to me.

Paul Copley and Sean Gilder as the older more experienced able seamen Matthews and Styles were one of my fondest parts of the series. Matthews was a fantastic old-hand and mentor in some ways to Hornblower as well as unflagging support for our young officer. Styles was always good for a laugh as well as a steadfast fighter and companion. Their chemistry with each other and Hornblower always brought a smile.

Wasn’t there a scene where Horatio doffs his uniform and dives overboard? Mmmm.

YES! Episode two of the original 4 that started the series. And don’t forget the “shower” scene while they’re sailing the the Caribbean – that’s either in “Mutiny” or “Retribution” – can’t remember which one right off hand. Hawt indeed. ::fans self::