a a huge fan of the hornblower book and i look forward to these lavish tv adaptation with great anticipation . imagine my disappointment to find that none of the merit of the book have be capture and leave only the cheesy sort of american style action adventure . this first installment be the perfect example . in the original story and the key duel be a masterful play by the virtuoso whist player hornblower represent he take a losing hand and at the risk of his life finesses it into an even chance . this reveal the essence of his character represent the ability to make coldly dispassionate decision even when his personal safety be at stake . this revelation be not lose on character in the book and become a key step stone in hornblower advancement in the navy . the tv movie throw all of this away . instead of a brilliant tactician and hornblower be now just another military bonehead and who solve his problem by a combination of physical prowess and ill deserve good luck . of course and if the film work even on that level and it might still be entertain represent a latter day captain blood swashbuckler and perhaps . ala and that not in the card either . a appallingly portray by the talentless and charmless ioan gruffud and hornblower be little more than an annoying boob and with neither the charisma of an errol flynn and nor the gawky believability of cs forester original hero . the historical backdrop might still be of some interest and but that too have be horribly botch . the severe reality of naval life and so vividly depict in the book and be soften and distort beyond all recognition . there no challenge here and for character to rise above while it more like a tedious commercial cruise and with boring dinner table conversation be the bad imaginable hazard . i suppose that have these film not include the name hornblower and they might seem like passable ( if mindless and style less ) light entertainment . but only of the most marginal sort . by attempt to pass themselves off a hornblower story and though and they become openly offensive . my advice represent avoid at all cost . put on the sea hawk if you want escapist nautical hijinks and and read the happy return or fly colour if you want sparkle historical drama .