Hornblower: Retribution Review
3 June 2013
Hello again, we're back with another review of Hornblower. If you've been following these, then you know that Horatio and the rest of the Lieutenants are awaiting trial for charges of mutiny. (For more details, see my review for the fifth instalment of the Hornblower films: Mutiny)
This sixth film is very action-packed, and jumps backwards and forwards in time from the trial to the events proceeding the attack on the fort in Santa Domingo. I really really enjoyed watching this film, as usual. But, be warned it has a sad ending. Have the tissues prepared. It's a sob ending.
*This film contains spoilers from the five previous Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
This sixth film is very action-packed, and jumps backwards and forwards in time from the trial to the events proceeding the attack on the fort in Santa Domingo. I really really enjoyed watching this film, as usual. But, be warned it has a sad ending. Have the tissues prepared. It's a sob ending.
*This film contains spoilers from the five previous Hornblower films*
SYNOPSIS
(Sorry about the foreign language... but no one makes good Hornblower trailers!)
Samana Bay is an island ruled by Spanish privateers. The 'Renown' is sent to route the Spanish and regain control of the island. AFter an unsuccessful attempt at a front assault, Hornblower hatches a plan to attack from the rear. Acting Captain Buckland after much deliberation, agrees to attack, which is carried out successfully. Upon return to England, Buckland claims all credit for the operation. Will Hornblower ever be recognized for his efforts...?
SCENERY
This Hornblower film shows a little variation from the usual sea and ship scenery. This time there are scenes on land: during the trial and when taking over the fort.
Samana Bay is an island ruled by Spanish privateers. The 'Renown' is sent to route the Spanish and regain control of the island. AFter an unsuccessful attempt at a front assault, Hornblower hatches a plan to attack from the rear. Acting Captain Buckland after much deliberation, agrees to attack, which is carried out successfully. Upon return to England, Buckland claims all credit for the operation. Will Hornblower ever be recognized for his efforts...?
SCENERY
This Hornblower film shows a little variation from the usual sea and ship scenery. This time there are scenes on land: during the trial and when taking over the fort.
STORY
Before I begin, I'll say that the ending note of the synopsis is slightly inaccurate. Horatio's main concern when he returns to England is whether or not he'll hang for mutiny, not whether he receives the credit for the successful attack on the Spanish fort.
Like I mentioned before, this film jumps back and forth between the trial and the attack on the fort, I'll do my best to explain.
Because of Horatio's quick thinking while under fire at Samana Bay, the Renown was able to get free and sail away from danger. Doctor Clive announces Captain Sawyer 'unfit for command', and First Lieutenant Buckland becomes Acting Captain. Horatio comes up with a plan to attack the Spanish from behind, but Mr. Buckland insists on returning to Kingston. The other Lieutenants are afraid of what may await them there: most likely hangings for a mutiny. It is only after a group of the crew desert, that Mr. Buckland changes his mind and agrees to attack the Spanish fort. Horatio, Archie, and Mr. Bush take the crew to land to start their attack, and find all of the deserters lying dead on the beach, but not by the hands of the Spaniards. They are carefree and completely unaware of the imminent attack. It seems that there is another enemy to be wary of.
While the three Lieutenants are leading an attack against the fort, Mr. Buckland receives some surprise guests. I won't say exactly who they are, so you can be surprised when you watch the film for yourself, but they demand that the English leave Santa Domingo. Mr. Buckland fumbles around indecisively, which causes the British infantrymen to fire on the 'guests'... this firing alerts the sleepy fort to the coming attack, causing the lieutenants to strike prematurely. It looks as if the attack will end unsuccessfully, until Horatio uses his incredible leadership qualities and intuition to save the day. The fort is in British hands, the Spanish ships are stopped, and once again Horatio conceives a plan to outwit the Spanish colonel at starving the British troops.
The British believe that all is well, until they are visited by the surprise 'guests' and are forced to leave the island. Mr. Buckland needs an officer to blow up the fort; Horatio selflessly volunteers for this suicide mission. Most of the crew never expect to see him again, but Horatio isn't that easily beaten. :)
Once everything is under control, the Renown sets sail for Kingston with the Spanish as prisoners of war. It isn't long before somehow the Spanish prisoners get free aboard the ship and attempt an coup. Again, it is Horatio that saves the day.
Now, this just leaves the outcome of the trial. Who will hang for mutiny?
You know the answer... watch the film! :)
Once everything is under control, the Renown sets sail for Kingston with the Spanish as prisoners of war. It isn't long before somehow the Spanish prisoners get free aboard the ship and attempt an coup. Again, it is Horatio that saves the day.
Now, this just leaves the outcome of the trial. Who will hang for mutiny?
You know the answer... watch the film! :)
CHARACTERS
Third Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower is played by Ioan Gruffudd, as by now we are all aware. :) As I mentioned in the Mutiny review, Horatio has had to struggle to learn how to deal with cruel and unreasonable authority… In this film especially we see Horatio’s leadership qualities coming out as he seems to rise to occasions that are lacking leaders. As Acting Captain Buckland struggles and falters under the load of directing the crew, Horatio wins the hearts of the men by stepping up to the plate and being the leader that Buckland is not. Another of Horatio’s attributes, courage, is built upon as he is called to do things that frighten him in order to accomplish his goal. Spoiler There is a lot of controversy throughout this film, and by avid Hornblower fans, as to whether or not Horatio did in fact push Captain Sawyer down the hold. I’ll leave it up to you to decide… My sister and I put the Mutiny DVD back on after finishing this one and watched that scene again and again to determine who pushed the Captain, and actually whether or not the Captain was pushed. End of Spoiler
Third Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower is played by Ioan Gruffudd, as by now we are all aware. :) As I mentioned in the Mutiny review, Horatio has had to struggle to learn how to deal with cruel and unreasonable authority… In this film especially we see Horatio’s leadership qualities coming out as he seems to rise to occasions that are lacking leaders. As Acting Captain Buckland struggles and falters under the load of directing the crew, Horatio wins the hearts of the men by stepping up to the plate and being the leader that Buckland is not. Another of Horatio’s attributes, courage, is built upon as he is called to do things that frighten him in order to accomplish his goal. Spoiler There is a lot of controversy throughout this film, and by avid Hornblower fans, as to whether or not Horatio did in fact push Captain Sawyer down the hold. I’ll leave it up to you to decide… My sister and I put the Mutiny DVD back on after finishing this one and watched that scene again and again to determine who pushed the Captain, and actually whether or not the Captain was pushed. End of Spoiler
Fourth Lieutenant Archie Kennedy is played by Jamie Bamber. It’s going to be really hard to write my review of this character without giving away spoilers… but I will try.
Archie is, again, a little vocal about the fact that Mr. Buckland is treading water as a leader. This attack on the fort gives him a chance to show a little of his leadership qualities. When Horatio is sent back into the fort to lay the charges, Archie - the selfless friend that he is - stays behind without the Acting Captain's knowledge and helps to blow the fort. This isn't the only time that he risks his life for his best friend. But spoilers, spoilers... you'll have to see the film!
Archie is, again, a little vocal about the fact that Mr. Buckland is treading water as a leader. This attack on the fort gives him a chance to show a little of his leadership qualities. When Horatio is sent back into the fort to lay the charges, Archie - the selfless friend that he is - stays behind without the Acting Captain's knowledge and helps to blow the fort. This isn't the only time that he risks his life for his best friend. But spoilers, spoilers... you'll have to see the film!
Acting Captain Buckland is played by Nicholas Jones. Throughout this film the fact becomes obvious that Mr. Buckland is not a born leader. The pressure weighing on his shoulders proves to be far more than he can bare as he blunders and fumbles his way through decisions. It is Horatio that provides and performs the daring do’s that save the lives of the crew, not Mr. Buckland… And after Captain Sawyer goads him about it, he becomes jealous of the loyalty and respect Horatio earns by his bravery, Spoiler even to the extent of sending Horatio on a suicide mission. End of Spoiler At the trial, in order to save his own neck, he names Horatio as the man who pushed Captain Sawyer down the hold. This ultimately proves his incapability of leading any crew anywhere.
Second Lieutenant Bush, played by Paul McGann, at first agrees with Mr. Buckland's plan to return to Kingston, but then sees how Horatio's plan holds water and helps to convince Mr. Buckland that they should return to the fort. There is a funny love/hate relationship between Mr. Bush and Styles that shows both how they can get very frustrated with each other, but also how they will defend each other to the death. Mr. Bush could get very jealous of Horatio - a junior officer - and his courageous and successful plans, but he doesn't and rather draws strength from the bravery of the younger man.
David Warner plays Captain Sawyer. Throughout this film the Captain is confined to his cabin, mostly in a straightjacket. Mutiny can make you really dislike the captain, but Retribution makes you feel a little sorry for him. It's not necessarily that he is a cruel man by nature, it's just that his brain has been warped so that he is not really aware of what he is doing. The ending redeems him, in my opinion. The boy who he picked on the most is the one who receives his final words of encouragement.
Terence Corrigan plays the young Midshipman, Wellard. This film shows the transformation of Mr. Wellard from a boy to a man. He successfully carries out frightening escapades, proving his bravery. Mr. Wellard is constantly harassed by Mr. Hobbs about who pushed the Captain down the hold. Swearing an oath of loyalty to Horatio and Archie, Mr. Wellard would rather risk his life than see either of them hang. Spoiler He goes into the Captain's cabin to confront Captain Sawyer with a pistol and to prove that he is no longer a boy. In the end he dies a hero's death with the encouraging words of his captain on his ears and is told by the Captain who pushed him. End of Spoiler
Gunner Hobbs is played by Philip Glenister. This time we get to see him in his professional capacity, proving that he is quite a handy fellow with gunpowder. He is asked by the deserters if he will leave with them, but he is loyal to Captain Sawyer and refuses, insisting on getting to Kingston and seeing the Lieutenants hang for what they did to the Captain. Even though he keeps on harassing Wellard about who pushed the Captain, we see an interesting growth of acceptance towards the boy. Twice he is uncommonly nice to him. *shrugs shoulders* Just like in Mutiny, Mr. Hobbs' loyalty to the captain can feel very threatening, especially when he is deliberately trying to jog his memory about the accident. Spoiler However, in the trial when Mr. Buckland announces that Mr. Hobbs can back up his claim the Horatio was the one who pushed Captain Sawyer into the hold, Mr. Hobbs relays the same words that Horatio said to him when the captain was killed, "He was a leader of men. He died in battle." Then Mr. Hobbs shows his newfound loyalty by announcing that he cannot tell who pushed the Captain. End of Spoiler
Again, no Hornblower review would be complete without these two mentioned! :) Mr Styles is played by Sean Gilder, and Mr. Matthews is played by Paul Copley. I discussed their new ranks in my Muntiy review, so I won't go over that again. These two are still incredibly loyal to Horatio, and still provide the humour needed in these intense films. They're best friends and firm allies. Like I mentioned in Mr. Bush's review, Styles and he have a hilarious love/hate relationship.
Commodore Sir Edward Pellew is played by Robert Lindsay. We took a short break from seeing him, and he is back again, this time as judge in Horatio's trial. We already know that Sir Edward and Horatio have a father/son relationship - which really comes out in this film - but now Sir Edward has to look at Horatio without any sentimental feelings, to get to the true outcome of the accident. However, while talking with the two other captains, he believes that Horatio should be rewarded for his ingenuity and bravery, rather than punished for a crime he may or may not have committed.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
Just like every other Hornblower film, the costumes are mainly British naval-wear, this time with a little Spanish and British infantrymen thrown in. And quite historically accurate. (See my The Even Chance review for more details)
Just like every other Hornblower film, the costumes are mainly British naval-wear, this time with a little Spanish and British infantrymen thrown in. And quite historically accurate. (See my The Even Chance review for more details)
RATING
You should know by now that my Hornblower reviews always get very high ratings... :) So this one also gets a 5.
Retribution is rated M for violence and offensive language. I agree with this rating: there is a fair amount of swearing and battle scenes... quite a bit of blood, it might be disturbing for some viewers to see their favourite characters bleeding quite badly. Also there is another iffy scene where the Spanish colonel's wife seduces a British guard, thus earning their escape. It lasts about 30 seconds and I don't feel comfortable watching it... So I don't recommend this film for anyone younger than 15
You should know by now that my Hornblower reviews always get very high ratings... :) So this one also gets a 5.
Retribution is rated M for violence and offensive language. I agree with this rating: there is a fair amount of swearing and battle scenes... quite a bit of blood, it might be disturbing for some viewers to see their favourite characters bleeding quite badly. Also there is another iffy scene where the Spanish colonel's wife seduces a British guard, thus earning their escape. It lasts about 30 seconds and I don't feel comfortable watching it... So I don't recommend this film for anyone younger than 15
SPOILER WARNING
If you want to see this film for yourself and avoid spoilers, do not read any further below this page!
It's not worth it... believe me!
A TRIBUTE TO ARCHIE KENNEDY
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
"Nations need heroes, Mr. Hornblower. Heroes make us believe that the impossible is achievable."
"Only if one knows their name. Mr. Kennedy- "
"Mr. Kennedy took a calculated risk when he pushed Captain Sawyer down the hold, for the good of the ship and, in all likelihood, was right to do so."
"You think Mr. Kennedy was telling the truth?"
"I think Mr. Kennedy was a man of great loyalty, sir. He saw his duty and did it."
"And went to his grave without the merit of his good name."
"But you and I will not forget it."
"Only if one knows their name. Mr. Kennedy- "
"Mr. Kennedy took a calculated risk when he pushed Captain Sawyer down the hold, for the good of the ship and, in all likelihood, was right to do so."
"You think Mr. Kennedy was telling the truth?"
"I think Mr. Kennedy was a man of great loyalty, sir. He saw his duty and did it."
"And went to his grave without the merit of his good name."
"But you and I will not forget it."
"Why?"
"Look at me. There isn't a gallows in the world that can touch me now."
"Archie..."
"It doesn't hurt, Horatio. Don't let them see it hurts... But... I am frightened."
"You're the bravest man I know, Archie."
"A little prone to panic."
"Archie, you're the one who jumped off a cliff with a man who can't swim, and another who is afraid of heights."
"So I am."
"No panic then."
"And none now."
"And none when you stood up in court and took the blame."
"Poor Horatio. So quick to give, so slow to accept the simplest gift. You've done the same for me and others besides a thousand times."
"But never at such a dear cost."
"Please take what I offer... Just take it and say goodbye."
"Archie... I am honoured to have served with you."
"And I to have known you."
"Look at me. There isn't a gallows in the world that can touch me now."
"Archie..."
"It doesn't hurt, Horatio. Don't let them see it hurts... But... I am frightened."
"You're the bravest man I know, Archie."
"A little prone to panic."
"Archie, you're the one who jumped off a cliff with a man who can't swim, and another who is afraid of heights."
"So I am."
"No panic then."
"And none now."
"And none when you stood up in court and took the blame."
"Poor Horatio. So quick to give, so slow to accept the simplest gift. You've done the same for me and others besides a thousand times."
"But never at such a dear cost."
"Please take what I offer... Just take it and say goodbye."
"Archie... I am honoured to have served with you."
"And I to have known you."
"Bye dear friend."