Customer Reviews

Horatio Hornblower Vol. 3 - The Duchess & The Devil

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I'm a long time fan of Horatio Hornblower books, and when I've read about TV film based on Forester's novels I was worry that TV production cannot bring Hornblower times to life... I cannot be mistaken more. Quality of production is superb, acting is very good. Some Forester's fans may don't like some changes in story, but I've found them acceptable. As for DVD - image quality is medicore, sometimes there are visible artifacts, but the sound is good (or very good). If you feel exitement when you see frigate under full sails it's a must buy for you !

I have the entire series, have read the entire Hornblower set of books and the entire Patrick O'Brien set of Jack Aubrey books. This is a pretty faithful representation of the genre and I re-watch it fairly regularly.

Horatio Hornblower is a thrilling and adventurous series. I saw it on A&E and then bought it because it was so good.

Some friends loaned us their DVDs of Horatio, and we were hooked. These episodes are full of adventure and drama. Best if watched in sequence--lays the foundation. The acting is excellent in my opinion, but there are a few gorey scenes that might be too much if you tend to be very strict with what your children watch. In the later episodes there are very slight sensual comments, etc., but most children would miss it. Overall, it's clean and good watching.

The Duchess and the Devil, the third episode in the Horatio Hornblower series, introduces the young heroic Horatio to a mysterious and outspoken Duchess that is older than Horatio and willing to mentor him in the social graces. Yet is she all that she claims to be? When Horatio and crew are thrown into a Spanish prison, the Duchess practices diplomacy and charm to arrange an escape whereas the Midshipman under Hornblower is an angry man of little insight or strategy who thinks he can convince the men to strong arm their way out. Hornblower is pulled between the two. He is pulled toward her wise manipulative counseling even as he distrusts her full intentions and at the same time he must quell the crew that are naturally aligned with the dangerous and impulsive schemes of the midshipman. Horatio's ability to ride the fence between the two approaches is fun to watch. Of course Horatio is wise beyond his years but you will forgive this aspect. In the end it is not only Horatio's diplomacy and intelligence that crafts the escape, it is actually his willingness to suffer for the good of the group, and to take extreme risks to save human lives, even if they are the lives of the enemy.