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Coog
04-14-2012, 19:06
There were only a few Napoleonic era sailing movies made. Which one is your favorite?

The Royal Hajj
04-15-2012, 02:27
Only seen one, so had to pick it! lol

Coog
04-15-2012, 16:33
Only seen one, so had to pick it! lol

Must have been Master and Commander. Turner Classic Movies occasionally shows the first three in the poll. I haven't seen the Horatio Hornblower series on TV in a long time. It was produced by A&E and shown on their channel. I haven't seen it anywhere else. It is eight separate TV movies following Hornblower's career from midshipman to ship captain. I have the DVD set and it is worth getting if you enjoyed Master and Commander. There are several clips on You Tube. Here is one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc_MIxPeAXc

Comte de Brueys
04-20-2012, 11:40
Master and Commander.

The Hornblower Series is too expensive at the moment*. I read the books, so I'am still interested.

*Collides with the WW II planes from Ares Games...

Coog
04-20-2012, 12:25
The full 8 movie Hornblower series can be had for about $50, which isn't cheap, but not a bad value at $6.25 a movie. I was lucky and got my set a few years back as a Christmas present. I haven't watched it for a long while and may have to have my own Hornblower marathon this weekend. (I've pretty much wore out my Master and Commander DVD.)

Old Salt
04-27-2012, 08:26
Seen them all, liked them all

Bligh
04-27-2012, 09:28
Watched each of them, but have to go for Master and Commander. It is just that the cinamatography is so good.
Bligh.

Gunner
05-02-2012, 14:54
I've watched them all (many times), Master and Commander is by far the best.

Cap't Trigger
05-07-2012, 14:57
It's got to be the original Horry with Greg the Peck. Still have a copy.

Killick
07-30-2012, 16:25
I've watched them all (many times), Master and Commander is by far the best.

Well I also have watched some of them, but totaly agree with Gunner's comments on "Master and Commander" It just had a realism none of the others had!

Bligh
07-31-2012, 02:10
Well I also have watched some of them, but totaly agree with Gunner's comments on "Master and Commander" It just had a realism none of the others had!

I agree Alistair.
At first I felt that it was simply better because it was more modern than the rest, but on reflection, the Director seems to have added that extra ingredient that the rest lack. It is totally believable, and the dialogue is not stilted in any way. He has followed the flavour of the novel very well.
Rob.

Coog
07-31-2012, 11:38
I agree Alistair.
At first I felt that it was simply better because it was more modern than the rest, but on reflection, the Director seems to have added that extra ingredient that the rest lack. It is totally believable, and the dialogue is not stilted in any way. He has followed the flavour of the novel very well.
Rob.

While the changing of the American frigate in the book to a French privateer frigate (although American built) in the movie was done so that the movie would better appeal to American audiences, it also made the change of the ending for the movie a bit more believable. The taking of a U. S. Navy 44-gun frigate by a sloop, instead of the frigate wrecking in a storm in the book, would have been totally unbelievable.

7eat51
01-16-2013, 01:12
I thought the Horatio Hornblower TV Series 1998-2003 was excellent - great production value, acting, and story development. I appreciated the character of Hornblower - felt like someone I could follow. Same can be said of Crowe's character.

Coog
02-10-2013, 01:56
Here's the movie trailers.

Captain Horatio Hornblower:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtqwbcmf8TM

Coog
02-10-2013, 01:57
Billy Budd:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECixog8KIw

Coog
02-10-2013, 01:58
Damn The Defiant:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75IWRcTuXk

Coog
02-10-2013, 02:00
Master and Commander:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpNhN-L9L-g

Jack Aubrey
02-10-2013, 04:18
Master and commander, for me the best

Coog
02-10-2013, 10:58
I would love to see Russel Crowe and Paul Bettany reprise their roles as Aubrey and Maturin in a sequel or prequel.

I don't think it will happen. Back in 2010 Russell Crowe was pushing to do a sequel but Peter Weir was not wanting to do another. There was some talk of the Fox studios perhaps doing one, but that's been some time ago and it seems everyone may have given up on the idea. The original movie did OK at the box office but not to the extent a sequel was financially appealing. In my opinion todays public is just not that interesed in realistic (with some leaway given for entertainment) historical movies. Things like Pirates of the Caribbean capture the publics fancy.

7eat51
02-10-2013, 18:23
I don't think it will happen. Back in 2010 Russell Crowe was pushing to do a sequel but Peter Weir was not wanting to do another. There was some talk of the Fox studios perhaps doing one, but that's been some time ago and it seems everyone may have given up on the idea. The original movie did OK at the box office but not to the extent a sequel was financially appealing. In my opinion todays public is just not that interesed in realistic (with some leaway given for entertainment) historical movies. Things like Pirates of the Caribbean capture the publics fancy.

Pirates of the Caribbean over Master and Commander - I want to weep.

Volunteer
02-11-2013, 05:34
That is America, in it's dying glory. 'Ignorance is bliss' as the saying goes, must be true.

7eat51
02-11-2013, 07:22
'Ignorance is bliss' as the saying goes, must be true.

For whom and for how long? When what a given "star" wore on a red carpet is a national headline of the day, it might be time to move.

As for age of sail films, we should not forget some wonderful pirate/swashbuckler movies - not quite Napoleonic, but worth the watch.

Berthier
02-22-2013, 01:43
Master and Commander opening scene was terrific, middle of the film I felt dragged (burn the heretic!) but overall it was a great film.

Volunteer
02-22-2013, 09:29
I hear that! I have the Blu-Ray and DVD, at home and where I work respectively. I usually navigate to the scene selection and play the opening scene and then the end battle scene. I also love the ending when Aubrey and Stephen are playing and Aubrey realizes the French doctor is really the captain, the last scene of the prize Acheron and the Surprize changing course to chase. I love it and I want more! It is absolutely one of the very best movie of all time, right up there with Zulu!

Cap't Trigger
02-24-2013, 10:04
How about our Eyroll (not sure if I've spelt that right) in Cap't Blood?

Sea Gull
03-04-2013, 03:29
I had to go with Hornblower with Gregory Peck. Not because of realism or it being better than any of the others. Just because it was THE film that got me reading the novels and thus interesting in the whole age of sail period. I have it on tape, DVD and a digital version.

Cmmdre
04-06-2013, 17:36
Master and Commander is my vote. I'm planning to get Horatio Hornblower, the A&E series, after I recover from the KS payout.

7eat51
04-07-2013, 00:30
Master and Commander is my vote. I'm planning to get Horatio Hornblower, the A&E series, after I recover from the KS payout.

It is well worth the time and money. A&E did a great series. Nice seeing Hornblower grow through the series in rank and wisdom.

Gunner
04-07-2013, 01:20
If it has fighting sail, I like it. From the triremes in Cleopatra & Ben Hur to the Sol's in Hornblower. But Master & Commander was by far the best of all. I don't think there will be another like it in my lifetime (which won't be that long. 30, 40 years tops). But I hope I'm wrong. Not about the 30 or 40 years, but a better AoS movie in my lifetime.

pward
04-14-2013, 13:49
hands down, Master and Commander... wish they would do a sequel.

Lugburz
04-20-2013, 09:57
To fully appreciate Master & Commander, one must watch the film using a full-bodied 5.1/7.1 surround sound home theater. The creaking and groaning of the ship, each broadside, every taught rope was captured perfectly. It's a spectacular film, but the experience is incredibly heightened when coupled with a superb audio system.

Cmmdre
04-20-2013, 10:00
To fully appreciate Master & Commander, one must watch the film using a full-bodied 5.1/7.1 surround sound home theater. The creaking and groaning of the ship, each broadside, every taught rope was captured perfectly. It's a spectacular film, but the experience is incredibly heightened when coupled with a superb audio system.

Maybe there was more than an audio system heightening the experience? :question:

Coog
04-20-2013, 10:10
I remember when I watched Master and Commander in the theater, it was the theater's audio system that really made you feel that you where there, more so than the big screen.

Lugburz
04-20-2013, 14:31
Maybe there was more than an audio system heightening the experience? :question:

Just a nice set of Philips speakers, a decent subwoofer, and a Yamaha receiver :singin:

Gunner
04-20-2013, 15:12
I've watched the movie in the theater, downstairs in my home with surround sound in the ceiling and upstairs with just the tv speakers. For me it was the movie first and sound second.

7eat51
04-20-2013, 18:52
Just got the Blu-Ray of Master and Commander in the mail today - I love amazon.

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:09
Found this full length video of "Billy Bud"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV4Jg--exls

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:12
And for those cultured members of our group...the BBC opera of "Billy Budd":


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lVBfqQyjs

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:16
Here is the full length video of "HMS Defiant" (aka "Damn the Defiant"):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhrBuMRWsak

7eat51
04-20-2013, 20:31
Thanks for the videos Bobby. So much for getting any work done this weekend.

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:32
For those of you who don't have the DVDs or who haven't seen it, the complete A&E Hornblower series (Videos have to be done one post at a time):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKa05Liidqg

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:42
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSna03RzkLI

Cmmdre
04-20-2013, 20:43
Thanks for the videos Bobby. So much for getting any work done this weekend.

If Bobby keeps posting we're all sunk for the weekend. This is great stuff. Thanks for providing a link. It's been raining out so a little unexpected entertainment is perfect. :hatsoff: :thanks:

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN221qBTF-A

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON1Yo8-B8qY

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxxbhJwmXLw

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7VL92EjcmI

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7vPdvfio3U

Coog
04-20-2013, 20:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PesXHwWi07g

Cmmdre
04-20-2013, 20:49
:surrender: Better put on a pot of coffee! It's going to be a long night. :surrender:

Gunner
04-20-2013, 20:51
Thanks for the treat Bob. It's been a while since I've watched these.

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:04
I think by now you might be ready for some dry land! Not at sea, but during the time period...the excellent Sharpe series starring Sean Bean:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaJXMHWN4bI&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_TODXH-n6A&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:05
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNcBcxxm3kc&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLTr1jilr8U&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSi2y4-hKNA&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpPKmoq7PC0&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po5bko9AJBQ&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6YnpfAPE9M&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P65RO7XeY9w&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk_ExHLZvM0&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQXGBoPA5YQ&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ot8Ibohec&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMUUn2OC4GA&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZJ0vBwph0&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Gunner
04-20-2013, 21:30
I like Sharpe even more than the Hornblower series. Have you seen his last two, Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril?

Coog
04-20-2013, 21:37
I like Sharpe even more than the Hornblower series. Have you seen his last two, Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril?

The Sharpe's television series is one of the best ever made. I haven't seen the two you mention. I saw a DVD at Walmart that may have been one of them but I was in a hurry and will check it again later. I wish I had the whole series but I've only seen parts and they're pricey.

Gunner
04-20-2013, 22:38
They are both available from Amazon for under $20 each. As far as I know they are the last two of the series.

csadn
04-21-2013, 13:51
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rJ9hpY7BLU&list=PLA387300617D49BE0

>;)

Chanfan
04-22-2013, 15:09
Greetings! Despite my avatar, I did vote for Master & Commander. But, have seen and liked all of them, except for Billy Budd (which I have read, but not seen the movie version of). Come to think of it, I own all of them on DVD or Blu-Ray. Sharpe's as well, but that's a mix of VHS and DVD.

Coog
04-29-2013, 01:11
Thought I would post one more movie, "Waterloo," relevant to the period.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKmqRqY0RLg

Gunner
04-29-2013, 02:16
Vive L'Empereur!:salute: Thank you for the great deal on The Louisiana purchase.

7eat51
04-29-2013, 07:48
Thought I would post one more movie, "Waterloo," relevant to the period.

Thanks Bobby. AH's Waterloo was another early game in my gaming career - opened up the whole period to me, at least in terms of land battles; WS&IM did that for AoS.

Cmmdre
05-27-2013, 15:49
Just watched Master and Commander-Far side of the World again...and then again because it was so good. Fightin' around the world with Russell Crowe. :swordright:

Gunner
05-27-2013, 20:15
I can't get enough of that one either.:swordleft:

7eat51
05-27-2013, 21:15
I think the ending scene in which they realize the mistake concerning the opposing ship's captain, and the associated dialogue and duet captures the spirit of their friendship and personalities quite well. Its not too difficult to admire and follow such men.

Gunner
05-27-2013, 21:39
The killer is, not seeing how it turned out. But maybe that's a good thing. I was brought up in the 50's when most local theaters ran serials, and you had to go back next week to see what happened. And they never seemed to end.

Cmmdre
12-02-2013, 07:22
Couldn't help myself, saw a showing of Master and Commander again last night.

Пилот
12-02-2013, 07:26
Couldn't help myself, saw a showing of Master and Commander again last night.
Me too, on cable TV. Are you sure you don't live in Serbia? :happy:

Cmmdre
01-19-2014, 09:49
Just purchased the collectors set of A&E Horatio Hornblower TV Series 1998-2003 - Ioan Griffin for less than $20. Can't wait to get started watching it.:swordright:

Coog
01-19-2014, 09:56
Just purchased the collectors set of A&E Horatio Hornblower TV Series 1998-2003 - Ioan Griffin for less than $20. Can't wait to get started watching it.:swordright:

I got the 8 disc collectors set back some time ago. Can't remember what I paid, but it sure wasn't as low as $20! Great find.:thumbsup:

Gunner
01-19-2014, 11:30
The eight disk Hornblower and sixteen disk Sharpe's sets are must haves.:beer:

Cmmdre
01-20-2014, 10:02
Just started the Hornblower series, a couple of discs into it and I like it. Really well done. Glad I picked it up. I'll have to keep an eye out for the Sharpe series.

Coog
01-20-2014, 10:37
Just started the Hornblower series, a couple of discs into it and I like it. Really well done. Glad I picked it up. I'll have to keep an eye out for the Sharpe series.

The Sharpe series tends to be a bit pricy, at least the ones I've seen. Each episode is on YouTube.

Gunner
01-20-2014, 10:55
Just started the Hornblower series, a couple of discs into it and I like it. Really well done. Glad I picked it up. I'll have to keep an eye out for the Sharpe series.

I liked the red and black color schemes of the Spanish ships in the Duchess and the Devil.(vol.III)

Cmmdre
01-20-2014, 11:30
I liked the red and black color schemes of the Spanish ships in the Duchess and the Devil.(vol.III)

I'll be sure to look for that as Duchess and the Devil.(vol.III) is the next episode I'll be watching.

John Paul
01-23-2014, 00:45
I prefer Gregory Peck as Hornblower mostly as that is the one I grew up with, and always enjoy watching. I'm surprised though that no one made mention of films Like "I Remember Nelson", or "That Hamilton Woman" old classics which were actually remade in the late thirties!!

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:29
I prefer Gregory Peck as Hornblower mostly as that is the one I grew up with, and always enjoy watching. I'm surprised though that no one made mention of films Like "I Remember Nelson", or "That Hamilton Woman" old classics which were actually remade in the late thirties!!

While Peck's Hornblower was always a must watch when it came on TV while I was growing up, I never watched "That Hamilton Woman" when it was on. I don't recall ever seeing "I remember Nelson" on TV. I did find "That Hamilton Woman" on YouTube so here it is:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evl7ldotkRI

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:34
I couldn't find the classic "I Remember Nelson" but did run across a 1982 series. It is a four part series but only three are available. I read that the forth was not shown due to the Falklands War at the time. Here are the three shown:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ssSOyGfQis

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8R9Vi6PLpU

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-QxxR0x4Vw

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:54
I noticed that the links to all the episodes of "Sharpe's" series I posted on this thread were no longer available. I went back replaced the old links with new ones so that you can watch them again. If you prefer you can also access the series at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:56
I like Sharpe even more than the Hornblower series. Have you seen his last two, Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril?

These are now available. Unfortunately the only version of Sharpe's Peril that wasn't divided into several videos has subtitles. Here they are:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07jRJv4Y_5A

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:57
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myEvfUkfKzQ

Coog
01-23-2014, 05:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIZu2f6c-T4&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Coog
01-23-2014, 06:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_T4KIt9HOI&list=PLLCz8Qb97K-qK4eN4PKg--i158dRBdldp

Wargamer
01-23-2014, 08:04
Master & Commander; goofs and errors

As for continuity errors, that would take another 3 or 4 more pages...

The distinctive Pinnacle Rock seen in the Galápagos was created by the US Navy using it for target practice in World War II.

Following the first encounter with the Acheron, Captain Aubrey inspects a chart using a magnifier. In the magnified image, a pattern of ink overspray is visible surrounding each letter in the phrase "Hidden Reef" as the magnifier is panned over it (at around 18 mins). Such a pattern is precisely characteristic of modern-day inkjet printers, but of neither quill pens or the printing presses of the period.

In the closing scenes, as the dead are buried at sea, the crew is saying the Lord's Prayer (at around 2h 00 mins). Given the year, they would be using the version known by all from The Book of Common Prayer (1662 edition): "Our Father, which art in heaven..." Instead they say, "Our Father, who art in heaven..." the first instance of which actually appeared in the American Book of Common Prayer (1892 Revision). As a ship of the King's Navy, the established Anglican Book of Common Prayer would be the normative source of liturgy and prayer.

When Hollom has a panic attack after being menaced by the crew, Midshipman Blakeney asks (at around 1h 20 mins) "Are you O.K. Mr. Hollom?" Although the movie is set in 1805, according to the Webster New World Dictionary of the American Language (second college edition) "O.K." is an American colloquialism which was first used March 23, 1839 by C.G. Greene in the Boston Morning Post (Webster New World Dictionary of the American Language (second college edition) p. 989.)

The silverware used at the Captain's table and during the brain surgery scene (spoon at 00:24:11) is machine made and of a style that would not have been used till after the late 1830s when techniques for smithing changed. Spoons of that era would likely not be molded in one piece.

The captain and his dinner guests sing "Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate" (at around 59 mins), a song composed by Richard C. Saunders, an officer in the Royal Navy who was not born until 1809.

Some of the signal flags hanging from Surprise when under the sun didn't exist in the Napoleonic era. They would seem to spell Surprise as there are the same number of flags as letters in Surprise, but they don't actually spell or signal anything.

Throughout the fighting, pistols are seen to function well. During this time period, flintlock pistols failed to discharge up to 50% of the time, and were considered a secondary weapon in close combat.

Captain Aubrey rejects sailing into the "rain forest" of Brazil for a new mast (at around 23 mins). The word "rain forest" was brought into English by a literal translation of the German word "regenwald" from a book written in 1898 and translated into English in 1903.

During the cricket match on the Galapagos, the bowler is shown delivering the ball overarm (at around 1h 30 mins). A technique that was illegal under the laws of cricket until 1864, in 1805 only underarm bowling was deemed legal.

Just before the final battle, the doctor is told (at around 1h 45 mins) "there's three lumps in there" (referring to a cup of tea). Lumps of sugar were not invented until 1840, well after the time of the movie.

The film is set in 1805, yet the book handed to Blakeney by the Captain was actually written in 1806: The Victories of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, by Archibald Duncan.

Unlike the Army, the Royal Marines used adults as drummers, not children.

When Aubrey decides to follow the Acheron into Valpariso, he order's the crew beat to quarters (at around 2h 06 mins). As a result, we see crew members and Royal Marines climbing the rigging into their assigned places on the mast (actually, repeated shots from beat-to-quarters responses from earlier scenes). However, in the overhead shot of the Rose/Surprise, there are clearly no men positioned anywhere above the deck (at around 2h 07 mins).

Prior to the first encounter with the Acheron we see the watch glass turned and eight bells struck (at around 3 mins). A few moments later (at around 26 mins), we see the glass turned again and six bells is stuck which would mean that three hours had passed, yet the ship is still clearing for action, something which would have taken ten to fifteen minutes.

When Maturin is wounded, the bullet is removed from his left side (at around 1h 30 mins). However, when he and Aubrey are discussing the length of their stay at the Galapagos, he is holding his right side and using a cane on that side as well (at around 1h 35 mins).

The two insects referred to as 'weevils' during the scene around the Captains Mess table (at around 34 mins) were most certainly not weevils. The insects historically referred to as 'biscuit weevils', at the time, were extremely small and would not have shown up on camera therefore some artistic licence was taken to make the scene work.

In many scenes HMS Surprise/HMS Rose is clearly motoring, as the sails are either hanging limp or aback. In one scene the ship seems to be making at least 5 knots with all sails backed (at around 1h 12 mins).

Traditionally, and continuing to current times, toasts in the British Navy are not preceded by "to". For example, "Lord Nelson" not (at around 20 mins) "To Lord Nelson".

When Captain Aubrey orders the Surprise due South after battling around the horn, Lieutenant Pullings says, "Due South, Mr Bonden," to Barrett Bonden, who is at the wheel. The prefix "Mr" was used only for officers and would not have been used to refer to Bonden, who was the captain's coxswain and so not an officer. Also have to wonder about that order, due south from Cape Horn, into Antarctica?

As the "Surprise" sails around the Horn and the weather deteriorates, the ship begins to ice up. However, in one shot the icicles on the bow of the ship are hanging straight down (at around 57 mins), which could not happen unless the "Surprise" was becalmed.

During the Storm when the Surprise is chasing the Acheron around Cape Horn, Barrett Bonden is shown alone at the wheel. It was customary on a Royal Navy vessel of the time to always have at least two men at the wheel both as a security measure in case one man was injured in battle, and because the rudder itself was extremely heavy and difficult to turn. During any sort of heavy weather there would certainly have been four or more men at the wheel as one man would not be able to control the rudder (which is why the ship has two connected wheels).

At the beginning of the movie Surprise is shown with a white pennant, indicating she was under independent command; however, during the final fight with the Acheron the Surprise flies a Red Ensign. She should have been flying a White Ensign.

When Aubrey is teaching the midshipmen to use a sextant to determine Noon by using the Sun, they are facing toward the bow of the ship, or South. At that point in the movie the ship was below the equator, so they should have been facing North, towards the stern of the ship.

When the Surprise, while disguised as a whaling ship, is being chased by the Acheron, the smoke from the Surprise is trailing behind her (at around 1h 45 mins). That would only be possible if the wind was coming from dead ahead, which is impossible in a sailing vessel.

When Lieutenant Pulling is given command of the captured Acheron, he is hailed as "Captain" before leaving the Surprise (at around 2h 04 mins). Such an officer would be the "prize master" of that vessel and referenced by his rank. Within the Royal Navy the title of "captain" was only applied to an officer, regardless of rank, who was assigned as the commander of a commissioned vessel (which a prize ship was not).

To pretend to be a whaling ship, Surprise removes its topgallant masts, apparently to change its appearance. Drawing and paintings of whaling ships show them to have been rigged in the same manner as any ships of their era; that is, with main, top, and topgallant masts. Thus there is no reason for the modification shown, and it would be far more likely to make the Acheron cautious because of the odd modified appearance of the Surprise.

Near the end of the film when the crew are playing cricket on the island the camera pans out to show the batsman in front of three stumps. However cricket didn't start to be played with three stumps until at least 50 years after the film is set. At the time of the movie time people only played with two.

At the end of the film, Aubrey sends the de-masted prize Acheron to Valparaiso, Chile, for repairs. Valparaiso is 3,000 miles from the Galapagos Islands, and, in 1805, was a tiny village without appropriate port facilities to dock or repair anything as large as a frigate. Valparaiso did not become a major port until after Chilean Independence from Spain (1810). Guayaquil (in modern Ecuador) would have been a more appropriate choice, being about 750 miles from the Galapagos, and being a major port in 1805. The choice between the two ports was moot, anyway, since both municipalities were Spanish territory in 1805, and thus were allied with the French, and hostile to the British.

When the ships go around Cape Horn you see it in the distance. But the rock you see is not Cape Horn. Cape Horn is a 400 metre high rock face.

In the opening scene when Surprise is attacked by Acheron, Captain Aubrey gives to command to "run out the starboard battery" (at around 28 mins). We then cut to the gun deck showing the guns not yet run out (at around 38 mins). However, Calamy ordered beat-to-quarters at 06:20 and while the boats were being lowered at 08:18 the port guns can be seen already run out and in a long shot from the stern at 08:24 the starboard guns appear to have been run out as well.

The Acheron is supposed to be a 44-gun frigate built in America and sold to a French privateer. No large American-built warship was sold to any foreign concern (nation or individual) during this time period (except the 74-gun ship-of-the-line "America" given to France after the Revolutionary War). American-built warships did not have a good reputation in Europe (something reinforced by the poorly built "America"). It was not until the War of 1812 that the large American frigates proved the superiority of their design. The use of a large American-built frigate in the story is apparently a holdover from the book in which it is an American warship which is pursued.

So all in all, nice movie, dramatic, fun to watch. Accurate, lol no.

Gunner
01-23-2014, 09:08
I prefer Gregory Peck as Hornblower mostly as that is the one I grew up with, and always enjoy watching. I'm surprised though that no one made mention of films Like "I Remember Nelson", or "That Hamilton Woman" old classics which were actually remade in the late thirties!!

I guess they weren't mentioned because they weren't anyone's favorite. Even though I did enjoy watching, That Hamilton Woman.

Welcome Paul :beer: Drop by the Welcome Aboard Forum and introduce yourself.

John Paul
01-23-2014, 20:31
I guess they weren't mentioned because they weren't anyone's favorite. Even though I did enjoy watching, That Hamilton Woman.

Welcome Paul :beer: Drop by the Welcome Aboard Forum and introduce yourself.

I kind of thought due to their age and subject matter they wouldn't be high on anyone's popular list, but with all the YouTube videos and such was slightly taken aback that no one had even made mention of them. In the mid seventies I had the pleasure of watching "That Hamilton Woman" a number of times aboard ship because our Captain was a big Vivian Leigh fan! That was in the days when the nightly movie was shown on a projector on the mess decks, as VHS tapes hadn't hit the market as yet!! Those were the days!! :happy:

Gunner
01-23-2014, 20:41
Years ago even before WS&IM, the reason that movie caught my eye was because Vivian Leigh was in it.
Your Captain has good taste.

John Paul
01-23-2014, 20:59
Yeah, I always liked her too! According to David Selznick it was the part that captured the roll of Scarlett in "Gone With The Wind" for her!

Coog
01-24-2014, 07:17
Yeah, I always liked her too! According to David Selznick it was the part that captured the roll of Scarlett in "Gone With The Wind" for her!

I can remember how amazed I was when I was a kid hearing her speak with her own English accent after watching her in "Gone With The Wind." There seem to be a lot of British and Australian actors and actresses that can perform in movies and television and use various American accents convincingly. It seems like I'd be used to it by now but it still amazed me after watching a few episodes of "The Walking Dead" and then hearing some of the cast, particularly the main character, speaking with a British accent. When I watch most American actors who try or tried to do the opposite in movies, its laughable.

Cool Breeze
01-24-2014, 09:12
Only seen one, so had to pick it! lol

Ditto here, but I really didn't want to, as the voice track was so bad on it, I couldn't understand a single word said during any stormy or fight scenes.

csadn
01-24-2014, 16:10
I can remember how amazed I was when I was a kid hearing her speak with her own English accent after watching her in "Gone With The Wind." There seem to be a lot of British and Australian actors and actresses that can perform in movies and television and use various American accents convincingly. It seems like I'd be used to it by now but it still amazed me after watching a few episodes of "The Walking Dead" and then hearing some of the cast, particularly the main character, speaking with a British accent. When I watch most American actors who try or tried to do the opposite in movies, its laughable.

To do an accent properly, one must not only listen (in order to hear how it sounds), but not force it -- which is where most American actors fail.

Once, I was waiting in line at the local Barnes & Noble, and one of the cashiers had a full-bore Scottish accent. By the time I reached the top of the stack -- and guess which cashier I got? :) -- I was sounding like Sean Connery. She actually asked me which town in Scotland I was born in; the look on her face when I told her I was originally from Southern California, but had a talent for voice-mimicry....

(It gets worse: I'm a fan of the original _Iron Chef_. I've seen the episodes where everyone is dubbed *except* Chairman Kaga; so I can now do a solid mimicry of his voice. And it's transferred to my feeble attempts to speak Japanese -- Kaga has an "accent" which causes him to smash the end of words ending in vowel-sounds, so "tofu" comes out "tof'" -- so not only don't I speak Japanese, I don't speak Japanese *with an accent*.)

taipan
01-24-2014, 19:56
actually for those stateside, netflix carries all of them on dvd

BRIAN DUNBAR
02-02-2014, 11:51
Master and Commander for me. But now that we have links to the full length movies I am going to have to watch the others

Naharaht
02-09-2014, 18:55
I have found another film. It is called Mutiny. It is set in the 1812 war starring Mark Stevens, Patric Knowles and a young Angela Lansbury as a scheming temptress. It is pretty average stuff but they use an early submarine at the end to defeat the British. It is available to watch on Youtube.

Cmmdre
04-11-2014, 14:10
Just saw Damn the Defiant! 1962 with Alec Guiness. Damn fine film! :clap:

RotS-Targe
08-24-2014, 16:31
Voted Master and Commander, mostly because it's the only one I've seen, but also because it really caught my imagination when I first saw it, I already loved ships of sail, and this movie was the first to really give that love something to feed on and grow. I remember my father watching Horatio Hornblower when I was young, but I never had much interest in it back then, not really sure why, and nowadays I just don't have the time to watch it, sadly.

Coog
09-25-2014, 22:05
With Spanish ships on the way, perhaps we will recreate battles such as this (Of course having a Hornblower Captain card just wouldn't be fair):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwwZMk4fnIc

Bligh
09-26-2014, 02:24
As I was brought up on the Hornblower books I relish a bit of a tussle against the Spanish.
Bligh.:clap:

Union Jack
10-14-2014, 15:23
Damn the Defiant but if the original Mutiny on the Bounty had been there I probably would have voted for that.
(1935 Charles Loughton and Clark Gable, with if you can spot them James Cagney and David Niven)

7eat51
10-16-2014, 09:08
Damn the Defiant but if the original Mutiny on the Bounty had been there I probably would have voted for that.
(1935 Charles Loughton and Clark Gable, with if you can spot them James Cagney and David Niven)

Looks like I will be watching Mutiny again, just to spot Cagney and Niven, two actors I thoroughly enjoy.

Mark Kaiser
05-08-2015, 17:46
For me it was hands down Master And Commander, the characters (Killick and the old man), the on deck realism, was just awesome. Hornblower was good too (the series is on Youtube) but it just seemed Horatio was too much in control of his own destiny (he could have fallen down the gullet of a great white and ended up in the captains cabin with a promotion and eating a plate of sushi). But it was an admirable series. I really enjoyed The Bounty with Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson, and from a military outlook, it was the most realistic in my opinion.

Mark Kaiser
05-12-2015, 03:30
For whom and for how long? When what a given "star" wore on a red carpet is a national headline of the day, it might be time to move.

As for age of sail films, we should not forget some wonderful pirate/swashbuckler movies - not quite Napoleonic, but worth the watch.
Totally agree, "The Black Swan" with Tyrone Power (on youtube), and "Legend of the Seawolf" with Chuck Conner stand out for me, good flicks.Also anything with the Legend himself Robert Newton.

Popsical
05-17-2015, 09:20
Master and commander for me, love it, will watch again tonight.
Sharpe's series is great, i remember them on ITV when they first showed. Sean Bean is an awesome actor too.
I would love to see a sequel to M&C, sadly it wont probably happen, shame. :sad:

Nachtsegler
09-01-2015, 00:07
Master and Commander, hands down.

HMS Goliath
10-02-2017, 22:20
My parents (now me I guess since they both have passed), owned a home south of Ensenada, Mexico. I remember traveling along the road seeing a frigate moored near the mouth of the big tank down there where my parents described seeing RMS Titanic a couple of years before and seeing a ship being built nearby (either the movie version of Surprise or Acheron) I never forgot that. The frigate moored outside was without a doubt the frigate I have loved these many years HMS Surprise (ex HMS Rose) and actually had the honor to sail aboard in 2012. Master and Commander will always be my favorite.

Wentworth
08-03-2018, 16:28
1) Master and Commander
2) Horatio Hornblower series
3) Horatio Hornblower Gregory Peck film

My first sea faring film as a kid was the Errol Flynn/ Basil Rathbone "Captain Blood" (which I loved)...then I saw Gregory Peck in Hornblower -- it impelled me to burn through all the novels one summer (including the companion map book). I really enjoyed the TV series with Ioan Gruffudd (and it caused me to read all the novels once again). However, when I saw Master & Commander in the theater on the big screen it became my all time favorite age of sail film.