I've been wanting to see this movie ever since I first heard about it when I was introduced to the character ten years ago. One of my mom's friends loaned her three of the A&E Hornblower movies starring Ioan Gruffudd and told her about the old Gregory Peck version as well. Of course, I instantly fell madly in love with both Ioan Gruffudd and the character of Horatio Hornblower as soon as I watched the A&E movies. Although I regret to admit I haven't read any of the books by C. S. Forester, I'm hoping maybe this library will have them.
Anyway, great swashbuckling tale! Gregory Peck makes a wonderful Hornblower, as one might expect. And you know, he even almost looks a little like an older version of Ioan Gruffudd, so it all works very nicely. This movie is based on what I believe was the first HH book written, while the A&E series begins with the beginning of HH's career as a midshipman, which Forester seems to have written about later. This involves his affair with Lady Barbara Wellesley, played adeptly by Virginia Mayo. Of course, it also involves several naval battles and lots of fun sailorly stuff.
And now I'm totally in the mood for more Hornblowerful adventures, so I think as soon as Dano takes his next nap, I'm going to put in "The Duel." This is turning out to be a rather nice Monday after all!
My copy was waiting for me when I got home last night. :-D Alas, I'm terribly in a Western mood right now, so might wait a couple of days before I swap over to the High Seas.
ReplyDeleteHey, Western Moods are good too. I picked up "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" at the library this week, so we'll see how that is.
ReplyDeleteFour or five years before Peck passed he was here in Calgary, Alberta doing his one man show about his life in films. He stood on stage showing various clips from his time in Hollywood. He then told some great stories of the people and directors he had worked with. At the end he took questions from the crowd and I was lucky enough to be picked. I asked him what t was like to work on YELLOW SKY with director Wild Bill Wellman. (THE OX-BOW INCIDENT) He laughed and was amazed anyone had heard of it. The film was not out on video or dvd at that time. I still have the program.
ReplyDeleteGord
Gord, that's so amazing! What a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing! How wonderful that you got to interact with the great Gregory Peck.
DeleteA year or two later the wonderful Peter Ustinov was here doing the same type of show. What a great story teller he was.
ReplyDeleteGord
Oh, wow! I'll bet he was delightful to see. I love him so much in We're No Angels.
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