leehught-935-735275 If you have read CS Forester's "Hornblower and the Hotspur" you are wondering where it went. While a few incidents are present here from the book, the story line has nothing to do with the book. You will be disappointed that the main themes and character of Horatio have been lost. While the series is entertaining, do not expect the TV movies to be the books. "Based on" is used in its very broad sense. So watch the movies first. Then go read the books, they are much richer and complex. However, the character of Hornblower will be vastly different and the historic settings as well. Unfortunately, another example of taking the reputation of a book, some names and some of the incidents and then writing your own story without the depth of the original.So, just treat them as separate works with name connections only.

TheNorthernMonkee SPOILERS In the eighth, and at present final, episode of the Hornblower series, the Americans make an entrance into Horatio's world. With an impressive budget (allowing for excessive rain), this episode is another fine addition to what has been an excellent series.Newly married, Horatio Hornblower (Ioan Gruffudd) is back aboard the HMS Hotspur with lightning fast speed. Now on route to find an old friend, he encounters an American woman and her husband, who hides an unusual secret.In what might well be his final performance as the maritime hero, Ioan Gruffudd is once more brilliant. Over the last few years, the actor has made the role his own and it will be no surprise if he is now a success in Hollywood.Ioan Gruffudd isn't the only actor to be superb once more. Yet again he is helped by magnificent turns by Robert Lindsay, Paul Copley, Sean Gilder and Paul McGann. All perform admirably, and all are worthy of praise.This final chapter also seems to contain some of the most extreme weather to feature in any episode. With extreme rain and snow, the weather machines are turned up to full throughout. It is well handled however and it's little surprise it is used to Hornblower's advantage.As a final part of the series, this is the perfect way to finish. With a suitably happy ending it leaves the audience happy and content. Led for the final time by a suitable Ioan Gruffudd, it is well made and all in all, the perfect conclusion.

Todd Bradley I Video'd this and the other new Hornblower movie ("Loyalty") when they were shown on A&E in December 2003, but it wasn't until mid-February that I finally watched them. And then the following weekend, I finally saw the "Master and Commander" movie. It's too bad I watched the Hornblower movies first, because they really ruined "Master and Commander" for me. The acting is so much better in the Hornblower stories. In fact, I think about the only thing "Master and Commander" had over "Loyalty" and "Duty" were sound effects and lack of commercials. What I didn't realize is that these were just the latest (last?) two in a long series of Hornblower made-for-TV movies. Now I want to watch the whole series!

StoryLady66 This episode follows on from the previous one, Loyalty. It carries on as Hornblower attempts to find out what the french are up too and keep his crew intact at the same time. The entire Hornblower series of tv movies is on a par with Sharpe starring Sean Bean and set in the same era and with a cast of well know actors I highly recommend anyone to buy the DVD's it's something you can watch again and again, we want more!