Move over, Mr. Darcy, A&E has a new heartthrob. He's third lieutenant Horatio Hornblower (Ioan Gruffudd reprising his star-making role), C.S. Forester's swashbuckling hero of the high seas. Devotees of the original Emmy Award-winning miniseries will want to "have at" this boxed set containing two feature-length episodes in which the dashing Hornblower and crew engage in "foolhardy actions, rash judgments, and irresponsible adventures." "Mutiny" finds our young hero awaiting trial for "black bloody mutiny" against a once distinguished, but increasingly unhinged Captain Sawyer (David Warner). "It was for the good of the service," Hornblower insists to his mentor, Sir Edward Pellew (Robert Lindsay). "We were headed for disaster." Hornblower relates the events that led him to a Kingston, Jamaica, prison cell. In "Retribution," Hornblower's trial unfolds, and the events surrounding the mutiny are further revealed: Captain Sawyer is detained in a straitjacket, disgruntled crew members desert, dithering acting captain Butland assumes command, and Hornblower leads a surprise attack on a Spanish fort. Meanwhile, the judges look for a scapegoat "to take away the smell." Maritime buffs will have a merry time, with all the shipboard intrigue and skirmishes. Like the "hot shot" that disables an escaping enemy vessel, this boxed set will be "a palpable hit." --Donald Liebenson
Ioan Gruffudd returns as the 1800s British seaman tested by fire during the Napoleonic Wars in this double feature of rousing feature-length dramas based on the stories of C.S. Forester. Included are "Retribution" and "Mutiny." David Warner, Robert Lindsay, Paul McGann also star. 3 1/3 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bonus program; biography.
