Captain Horatio Hornblower was a straightforward naval adventure, based on three novels by C. S. Forester, about the heroic 19th-century British seafarer. The story sails with his ship, the Lydia, through battles with Spain and then France won with wit rather than might. Hornblower still finds time to romance Lady Barbara Wellesley, who roils emotional seas because she’s married to his admiral.
Though under contract to David O. Selznick when Captain Horatio Hornblower was produced, Gregory Peck appeared in this film; he was one of a group of actors leased to Warners for $1.5 million.
production details
USA | Warner Bros. | 117 minutes | 1951
Director: Raoul Walsh
Script: Ben Roberts, Ivan Goff, C.S. Forester, Æneas MacKenzie,
cast
Robert Beatty as Lt William Bush
James Robertson Justice as Seaman Quist
Alan Tilvern as Hernandez
Christopher Lee as Spanish Captain
Terence Morgan as 2nd Lt. Gerard
Moultrie Kelsall as Lt. Crystal
Stanley Baker as Mr. Harrison (Bosun)
Michael Goodliffe as Col. Caillard – POW Escort
John Witty as Capt. Entenza
Gregory Peck as Captain Horatio Hornblower R N
Virginia Mayo as Lady Barbara Wellesley
James Kenney as Midshipman Longley
Denis O’Dea as RAdm. Sir Rodney Leighton
Alec Mango as El Supremo (Don Julian Alvarado)
Richard Hearne as Polwheal
Michael Dolan as Surgeon Gundarson