The Paint Hardly Dry: Hornblower's Retribution

Hornblower: Retribution is the sixth episode of the British film series Hornblower, released in 2001. It is based on the 1952 book Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester and is a continuation of the fifth episode, Mutiny. The story follows the events of a court-martial charging Hornblower and other lieutenants of HMS Renown with mutiny. The film features intense action sequences, including an attack on a Spanish fort and interactions with rebel slaves led by Colonel Francois Lefanu. With complex characters and a gripping narrative, Hornblower: Retribution adds depth to the original novel, making it a captivating instalment in the Hornblower series.

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The sixth episode of the Hornblower series

The episode flashes back and forth between the court-martial and the events of six months prior. After Sawyer's failed attack on the Spanish fort, Buckland wants to admit defeat and sail to Kingston. However, Hornblower persuades him to launch a surprise night assault on the fort by land. Thirty-three seamen, led by Randall, desert during the night. Buckland, trying to salvage his reputation, agrees to Hornblower's plan. The landing force, led by Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush, discovers that the deserters have been killed by rebelling slaves led by "Colonel" Francois Lefanu. A firefight breaks out, alerting the Spanish to the British attack. Hornblower discovers a series of tunnels and leads some of the men inside, resulting in the capture of the fort.

After their victory, the British meet Spanish commander Colonel Francisco Manuel Ortega, who is strangely eager to surrender the island as long as the Spanish are allowed to depart. The British soon discover why—the fort is under siege by the rebel slaves, and the Spanish are starving. Buckland stalls for time while a cannon is lifted up a cliff to demonstrate that the Spanish ships are within range of British fire. With this advantage, Buckland obtains an unconditional surrender. However, as the Spanish are surrendering, the slaves attack the fort. Buckland orders Hornblower to blow up the fort and forbids anyone else from assisting. Bush and Kennedy disobey and help Hornblower set off the explosion.

Back in the present of the court-martial, the tribunal learns that Buckland was surprised in his cabin by the Spanish prisoners and spent the fight tied up. Trying to save his career, Buckland accuses Hornblower of pushing Sawyer into the hold, causing his mental instability. However, Hobbs refutes Buckland's claim. The episode ends with the tribunal's decision hanging in the balance.

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The episode is based on the 1952 book 'Lieutenant Hornblower'

The sixth episode of the Hornblower series, "Retribution", is based on the 1952 book "Lieutenant Hornblower" by C.S. Forester. The episode aired on April 15, 2001, as a continuation of the fifth episode, "Mutiny", which is also based on the same book.

In "Retribution", the story begins in January 1802 in Kingston, Jamaica, where Hornblower and the other lieutenants of HMS Renown—Buckland, Bush, and Kennedy—face a court-martial for mutiny. The tribunal consists of Commodore Pellew, Captain Hammond, and Captain Collins. Pellew is fond of Hornblower, his former subordinate, while Hammond views the lieutenant as an ambitious schemer. The episode flashes back and forth between the court-martial and the events of six months prior, which are also covered in the previous episode, "Mutiny".

In the flashback, we see that after Sawyer's failed attack on the Spanish fort, Buckland wants to admit defeat and sail to Kingston. However, Hornblower suggests a bold surprise night assault on the fort by land, which is ultimately successful. The British then meet Colonel Francisco Manuel Ortega, the Spanish commander, who is strangely eager to surrender the island as long as his troops are allowed to depart.

Ortega's eagerness becomes clear when the British discover that the fort is under siege by rebel slaves, and the Spanish are starving. Hornblower urges Buckland to stall for time while they bring a cannon up to a position where it can fire on the Spanish ships. With the cannon in range, Buckland obtains an unconditional surrender. However, as the Spanish are surrendering, the slaves attack the fort, and Buckland orders Hornblower to blow it up. Bush and Kennedy disobey orders to remain aboard and help Hornblower set off the explosion.

Back in the present of the episode, the tribunal learns that Buckland was caught unprepared during the Spanish attack, having been surprised in his cabin. In an attempt to save his career, Buckland falsely accuses Hornblower of pushing Sawyer, leading to his mental instability. However, Hobbs refutes Buckland's claim, stating that he does not know how Sawyer was injured.

The episode features a tribunal that may call for Hornblower's execution

The Hornblower series of British historical war television films is based on the works of C. S. Forester and stars Ioan Gruffudd as Royal Navy officer Horatio Hornblower during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The episode "Retribution" features a tribunal that may call for Hornblower's execution.

"Retribution" is the sixth episode of the series and was released in 2001, immediately following the events of "Mutiny". The episode is based on the 1952 book "Lieutenant Hornblower" by C.S. Forester. In the episode, HMS Renown is under the reluctant command of Acting Captain Buckland, while Captain Sawyer is isolated in his cabin. With the direct attack on the Spanish fort a failure, Buckland is ready to admit defeat and sail away to Kingston. However, Hornblower persuades him to launch a surprise night assault on the fort by land.

The landing force, led by Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush, discovers that a group of deserters has been killed, not by the Spanish, but by rebelling slaves. The British meet the Spanish commander, Colonel Francisco Manuel Ortega, who is strangely anxious to surrender the island to them. Hornblower urges Buckland to stall for time while a cannon is lifted up a cliff to fire on the Spanish ships. Despite their success, the situation takes a turn for the worse when the slaves attack the fort. During the evacuation of the Spanish prisoners, Buckland orders Hornblower to blow up the fort and forbids anyone else from assisting. Bush and Kennedy disobey Buckland's orders and aid Hornblower in setting off the explosion.

The tribunal consists of Commodore Pellew, Captain Hammond, and Captain Collins. Pellew is fond of Hornblower, his former subordinate, while Hammond views the lieutenant as an overambitious schemer. The tribunal may call for Hornblower's execution as he faces a charge of mutiny, the punishment for which is death. The episode is known for its suspense, pacing, and well-developed characters, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

The episode includes a flashback scene revealing Captain Sawyer falling into the hold

The 2001 film "Retribution" is the sixth episode of the British film series Hornblower, starring Ioan Gruffudd as Royal Navy officer Horatio Hornblower. The film is based on the 1952 book "Lieutenant Hornblower" by C.S. Forester.

The flashback occurs during the investigation of Gunner Hobbs, where the tribunal believes his testimony will be crucial in revealing what happened on the ship and who pushed the captain down the hatchway. Hobbs tries to free Sawyer, but fails. He then confronts Midshipman Wellard, accusing him of pushing Sawyer down the hold. However, when Buckland tries to save his career by stating that Hornblower pushed Sawyer, Hobbs says he does not know how Sawyer was injured.

The inclusion of this flashback scene adds to the drama and characterization of the film, as it reveals the complex dynamics between the characters and the events that led to the court-martial.

The episode features a surprise night assault on a Spanish fort

The episode "Retribution" of the Hornblower series features a surprise night assault on a Spanish fort. The episode is based on the 1952 book Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester and was released in 2001.

In the episode, HMS Renown is under the command of Acting Captain Buckland, who wants to admit defeat and sail away to Kingston after a failed direct attack on the Spanish fort. However, Lieutenant Hornblower persuades him to launch a surprise night assault on the fort by land. The landing force, led by Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush, discovers that a group of deserters has been killed, not by the Spanish, but by rebelling slaves. The landing party then charges the fort but is pinned down by heavy fire. Hornblower's quick thinking leads him to discover a series of tunnels, which he and some of his men use to capture the fort.

After their victory, the British meet the Spanish commander, Colonel Francisco Manuel Ortega, who is strangely eager to surrender the island to them. The fort is under siege by the rebel slaves, and the Spanish are starving. The British demonstrate that the Spanish ships are within range of their cannon and obtain an unconditional surrender. As the Spanish are surrendering, the slaves attack the fort, and Buckland orders Hornblower to blow it up.

The episode is known for its suspense, pacing, and character development, and it received positive reviews from viewers. It explores themes such as loneliness, loyalty, friendship, and reputation.

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