make way.
so much for the condemned man
eating a hearty breakfast, eh?
pity that.
it's almost edible for once.
mAN: is he ready, matthews?
i think he's just taking a few
quiet moments to himself, sir.
his last chance, so to speak.
[indistinct chatter]
[man vomiting]
forgive me, mr. bush.
just a bad egg from breakfast.
there's nothing worse.
thank you for...
for agreeing to stand there by my side.
i, uh...i...
i couldn't think... of anyone...
excuse me.
[vomiting]
mAN: present!...
i wish you luck, captain.
[church bell ringing]
mAN: hello.
hORNBLOWER: i suppose you think
this is a bad time to get married.
well, in my opinion, sir,
there's never a good time to get married.
but we are at war.
you think i'm acting in haste?
well, you've acted in haste before, sir.
it usually turns out for the best.
so there's no doubting the depth of her affection.
she'll be a loving wife and a loyal one,
though not perhaps what some might think of as--
the wife of a captain.
so there is still time to reconsider.
i've given her my word.
[soft chatter]
[softly] all right!
with this ring, i thee wed,
with my body, i thee worship,
and with all my worldly goods, i thee endow.
oFFICIANT: i pronounce that they be man and wife together,
in the name of the father and of the son
and of the holy ghost.
amen.
well, kiss her then.
[church bells ringing]
mAN: present!
thank you, william.
guard of honor,
3 cheers for captain and mrs. hornblower.
hip, hip! hooray!
and one for luck! hip, hip!
hooray!
store your cutlasses, men.
take up the traces.
wOMAN: you take care in that thing!
go carefully!
i'll see you in a minute.
'bye!
mEN: away!
i never thought i would be so happy.
[cheering]
oh!
oh, horrie!
brake now, sir! beggin' your pardon, brake!
thank you then, men, on behalf
of mrs. hornblower and myself.
hoorah!
matthews. sir.
i hear they serve a decent ale in here.
thank you, sir.
we'll drink to your future happiness.
he was right there on the admiral's bar.
well, i never heard of that one before.
[laughs]
i've dreamt of this day, horatio,
since i was just a girl.
i've dreamt it would be like this.
yes, it's been...
it's been everything i hoped for.
mRS. mASON: so you're not married, mr. bush?
and i believe even your mother
is enjoying herself.
our mother, horatio.
yes. yes, of course.
our.
do you think every day
will be as wonderful as this?
now that we're as one?
only it could be so.
whoa there.
[laughter and chatter]
admiral pellew, sir.
at ease, men.
easy.
quite the celebrations, i see.
sorry, sir. don't be.
presumably captain hornblower is still standing?
i'm sure he is, sir. good.
well, perhaps you'd like to interrupt the reverie
and tell him i wish to see him.
aye-aye, sir.
[knocking on door]
enter.
ah! captain hornblower!
well, well.
many congratulations.
thank you, sir.
is she pretty?
yes, sir.
i believe she is most handsome, sir.
you've lost weight, man. can she cook?
yes, sir, but i'm afraid my steward can't.
yes.
forgive me, sir, but...might i assume
it was not my wedding celebrations
that brought you here?
your assumptions are correct.
one of our ships is missing.
the sloop "grasshopper"
was last seen 10 days ago
patrolling this part of the french coast.
"grasshopper," sir?
that's captain bracegirdle's ship.
yes.
his last dispatch referred to
curiously intriguing enemy activity.
"curiously intriguing."
you haven't changed since our days together
on the "indy." mmm.
since that last dispatch, nothing.
silence.
find him, hornblower.
and, uh...what if the "grasshopper" has
been captured, sir?
or captain bracegirdle is...dead?
you're a commander now, sir.
you must trust your intuition
as well as observe and execute
your orders.
i want to find out what surprise boney
is planning for us.
[knock on door] enter!
bUSH: excuse me, sir,
but they're about to cut the cake.
captain hornblower's presence is strongly
requested by his mother-in-law.
yes, indeed.
you sail on the morning tide.
mr. bush, you'll prepare
the "hotspur" for sea.
aye-aye, sir.
you, you have my permission
to sleep onshore.
but my duty is to the "hotspur," sir.
damn it, man, the "hotspur" will have you soon enough.
your wife will only have you for the night.
you do as i say.
aye-aye, sir.
[chatter]
use his sword, maria.
it's what the naval brides in london do.
[cheering]
[applause]
oh, i just thought.
i trust he's given that a thorough clean.
well, he'll have done his best, mum,
but french blood, oh, is damnably sticky.
[laughter]
long life and much happiness to the wife
of one of the most promising officers
in the king's service.
mEN: here, here!
has the health of the happy couple
been drunk yet? no, sir.
well, then, may i do so?
ladies and gentlemen, may i ask you
to stand and join me on this happy occasion.
may they never know sorrow.
may they only enjoy health and prosperity.
may the wife be comforted
in the knowledge that the husband is
doing his duty for king and country.
and may the husband be supported in his duty
by the loyalty of the wife.
ladies and gentlemen,
the bride and groom.
the bride and groom!
aLL: the bride and groom!
when you're on land,
do you miss your ship?
i, uh...can't deny it.
and when at sea...
will you miss your wife?
how could you ask? of course.
[bell ringing]
everything ready, mr. prowse?
aye-aye, sir.
there will be nothing for the captain
to complain about.
mr. orrock, send the quarter boat
for the captain. aye-aye, sir.
the wind is freshening from the west.
you're dressed already.
i should have been up to make your breakfast
and pack your clothes.
now, my dear.
your gloves, horrie.
haven't packed your gloves.
i know that you have to go.
say that you love me.
say that you'll always love me.
i do...and i will.
good-bye, my love.
[sniffing]
mAN: starboard ends to the far sail!
pROWSE: sir.
we'll weigh anchor, mr. prowse.
aye-aye, sir.
hands to stations for weigh anchor!
[men shouting orders]
so, mr. bush, i trust you weren't up
all night getting the ship ready.
not all night, sir, no.
anything to report?
no, sir. nothing.
i trust you weren't up all night either, sir.
no, mr. bush.
i slept exceptionally well, thank you.
you'll take her out, if you please.
plot a course for brest.
aye-aye, sir.
my glass, sir?
no, mr. prowse.
i'll wait until we're looking for
the "grasshopper."
good morning, sir.
matthews.
i hope the men enjoyed themselves yesterday.
i'm sure they did, sir. thank you.
although most of them ended the day
as you began it, sir: a might ill.
morning, sir. styles.
i'd like some coffee, please,
if you're up to it.
mATTHEWS: you may want to wait
until you see what's in your cabin, sir.
only we had the delivery this morning.
we didn't know what to do with it,
so we put it in there.
it's a wedding present, sir,
from admiral pellew.
it came with this note, sir.
"thy need is greater than mine."
and it makes coffee?
james doughty, sir, admiral's steward--
until now that is-- at your service.
styles, belay that order.
doughty, i'd like some coffee.
with pleasure, sir.
[bell rings]
i know how to cook a bit myself.
i was the captain's last steward.
we're giving him the beef in crust
with french beans and spanish fritters.
french and spanish.
mr. hornblower won't like that.
they're vegetable styles, not navies.
you might want to put a little bit
of extra pepper in that.
is the beef not to your liking, sir?
yes, thank you.
sir edward always enjoyed my royal
beef casserole in dainty crust.
i have simple tastes.
there's not too much pepper, is there?
i thought the wedding most pleasant, sir.
i never thanked you properly, william,
for the carriage and the hands.
mrs. hornblower said you made her very happy.
i believe it is you that made her happy, sir.
no doubt she considers herself
a very lucky woman.
[clearing throat] that may be, mr. bush, but...
we now have more important things concerning us,
like finding out what happened to the "grasshopper."
captain bracegirdle...
what manner of man is he?
he's wise, amusing... and was once very kind
to a nervous, young midshipman.
my apologies, sir.
mr. prowse's respects,
but he requests your presence on deck.
very well.
doughty, i do not need your assistance
every time i stand up or sit down.
i'm not an admiral.
no, sir. of course.
[man shouting]
mAN, SHOUTING: oh, to be out
in the open air again, eh?
[laughter]
[indistinct]
thank you, mr. orrock.
how does it steer?
pROWSE: holding steady, sir, but...
always a "but," mr. prowse.
[man shouting]
ship boat!
where away?
4 points off the larboard bow!
couldn't be the "grasshopper's" people, sir.
not this far north.
well, whoever they are, mr. bush,
we must go to their aid.
mr. orrock! launch the quarter boat!
aye-aye, sir!
mr. prowse! take us to windward!
get her under our lee!
aye-aye, sir!
pull, men! pull!
close as you dare, mr. prowse!
aye-aye, sir!
[shouts]
we're coming! hold on!
thank god, sirs! we're sinking! thank god!
americans!
they're a long way from home!
[shouting]
here, sir! take hold!
[indistinct]
this way, sir!
come on, ma'am!
no, maguire! you go first!
after you, ma'am. i insist!
mAN: quickly now! both of you!
do as i say, maguire!
come on, ma'am!
take my hand!
[woman screams]
she's gone! she's gone over!
where is she?
matthews, man, where is she?
mATTHEWS: overboard!
[grunts]
[woman gasping]
help!
[coughing] help!
[coughing and gagging]
help!
it's all right, ma'am! i've got you!
it's all right, sir. just grab hold of me, sir.
i'm tied to a rope, sir.
well done, doughty.
[woman coughing]
you swim, doughty!
you cook, and you swim!
what a useful man you are!
thank you, sir.
i thank you, sir.
my husband and i will thank you.
merci, monsieur.
[speaking french]
he's a frog.
mAN: no! [speaking french]
i'm not french! my name is joseph billen.
i'm from switzerland!
this is my american wife.
bound for france,
yet you claim to be swiss.
mr. bush!
wOMAN: joseph's father is dying, captain.
we were on our way to switzerland,
so he could see me before--
he wants to meet betsy. he wants to see us.
it's his final dream.
and you would risk this dream by leaving
your ship and attempting to row ashore
in a quarter boat in a storm?
bETSY: i am to blame, sir.
our captain refused to put in to brest.
i offered maguire money.
and you took it?
it was more money
than i could refuse, sir.
and we'll offer you the same amount, captain,
if you'll take us ashore now.
mr. and mrs. billen will occupy
mr. bush's quarters.
aye-aye, sir.
as for you, we've always room for another hand.
i'm an american citizen, sir.
well, you're an able seaman in the royal navy
until you can prove it.
i won't take your money, sir,
and until this storm has abated,
you'll be going nowhere.
so we don't trust them at all, sir?
we don't know enough yet either way...
but let's be cautious until we do.
no sign of the "grasshopper," sir!
though, i fear, in this weather,
we'd not see her, even if she were right before us!
if we can find the ship's boat
in the middle of the ocean, mr. prowse,
we'll find a sloop of war.
how is our french friend, sir?
he's swiss, mr. orrock,
you'd do well to remember that.
i've shown our guests to the quarters,
but some of the men, sir, they're asking
who it is who's come aboard.
what did you tell them?
i said they were american, sir,
and i told maguire and doughty to say the same,
but i fear when the rest of the men
hear the gentleman's accent, sir,
they may jump to the wrong conclusion.
indeed they might.
so, maguire, what are you at heart then?
a paddy or a yank?
me dad was a paddy all his life.
but for me, it's life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness,
which don't include serving
in his majesty's navy.
it's his majesty's navy that saved your life, shipmate.
don't you forget it.
here comes the man who saved the captain's life.
anyone could have done that.
he even needed a rope.
i wouldn't have needed no bloody rope.
nay, man. you can't even swim.
hero, my eye.
look at him.
mollycoddling the bloody americans.
the americans are our guests, styles.
i'm sure you would be equally attentive,
were you still the captain's steward.
[chuckling]
[man shouting]
[knocking on door]
enter.
ahh! madam billen.
i trust you are rested.
yes, thank you, captain hornblower.
forgive me, madam, but i think it might
be best if both you and your husband
confined yourselves to your cabin.
you mean we are prisoners.
no, madam, but we are at war,
and this is not a pleasure craft.
i only wanted to say thank you,
captain hornblower.
sir, i don't suppose it is my place to say,
but you were looking for a ship, were you not?
an english ship.
we are. what of it?
well, we saw a ship in distress.
too close to the rocks, our captain said,
indeed, he refused to even consider
landing us in such waters.
when? when did you see this?
only yesterday.
it was further north, sir.
they were sailing south.
you're looking the wrong way.
you tell me this now.
why now? forgive me for asking.
so you might set us ashore,
captain hornblower.
in france.
we do not wish to impose upon you any longer.
your husband sent you to me, didn't he?
no, sir.
i do not think my husband would thank me
for trading in this fashion with you.
because he's a frenchman?
you know little of the seas,
so i'll forgive you.
but let me inform you.
were you in the british navy,
the punishment for striking any superior is death.
i'd hate to think that i had saved you for nothing.
northwest, sir?
yes, mr. bush, northwest.
bUSH: sir, i don't trust the lady.
i think it could well be a trap.
i know, mr. bush.
but she's little to gain
and much to lose by lying.
i fear, sir, that this may take us back
into the eye of the storm.
yes, mr. prowse.
so...we'd be heading into a trap
and a storm then, gentlemen.
rest assured that captain bracegirdle
would do the same for us.
aye-aye, sir.
[man speaking indistinctly]
no sign of the "grasshopper," sir.
if my calculations are correct, mr. bush,
our guests sailed past here yesterday.
i hope, sir, you are right and i am wrong.
mr. prowse. sir?
we'll clear the headland and look into
the next bay. aye-aye, sir.
[orrock calls out]
mr. orrock, what do you see?
a top mast, sir!
is it the "grasshopper"?
can you make her out?
i can, sir. what, man?
she's run aground, sir.
no sign of shore battery, sir?
no.
it's quiet. uncomfortably quiet.
neither your trap nor mr. prowse's storm.
although one or other such thing
befell the "grasshopper."
mr. prowse. sir?
how far are we from brest?
oh, a day at the most, sir.
we cannot assume that bonaparte
has all his troops in brest alone.
mr. bush, ready the quarter boat.
aye-aye, sir.
we'll search for what survivors there may be.
hORNBLOWER: mr. bush.
matthews, styles, you come with me.
mr. orrock, you stay here with the crew and keep a lookout.
aye-aye, sir. to me, marines!
mAN: you heard the officer.
maguire.
you stay there, man. you stay there.
[grunting]
bUSH: poor devils.
no wounds.
seems the sea killed them, not the french.
i'll wager the french
played their part, sir.
oRROCK: i can see something up there!
some smoke!
i'm sure you do, sir.
oRROCK: sir!
a light along the beach, sir!
a fire, sir!
no sign of the enemy, mr. bush.
i fear he may not be far away, sir.
indeed. mr. orrock, matthews, you come with me.
mr. bush, keep watch.
bUSH: aye-aye, sir.
styles.
i don't think the sea killed this one.
take cover! quickly, men!
mAN: marines, take cover behind that boat!
[gunshots]
return fire at will!
return fire, styles.
what are we aiming at, sir?
the enemy, man.
mATTHEWS: another dead one, sir?
hORNBLOWER: not quite, matthews.
bracegirdle! bracegirdle!
hornblower!
damn! damn!
mAN: get down!
you should not have come for me.
i fear some--
i fear it, too, captain bracegirdle.
it's no good here, sir. we're sitting ducks.
orrock, matthews, give us supporting fire.
i'll get captain bracegirdle back to the boat.
ready?
now!
oRROCK: good luck, sir.
stay back, sir!
[men shouting]
captain bracegirdle!
horatio!
they're moving forward, styles.
we'll have to lend a hand.
i'm with you, sir.
good god!
...quarters...
hard to starboard!
roll out the larboard guns!
we've got to leave soon, sir,
or we won't have a boat to escape in.
you're right, mr. bush.
marines! make ready!
where's maguire?
i don't know, sir.
present! fire!
fire!
now, men! run!
stop!
mAN: watch out!
get below...
who's firing at us?
the frogs! who'd you bloody think?
now get below! reload!
they're throwing their bloody guns
at us now, sir.
come on, men. with me!
mAN: halt!
attention!
[men screaming]
time to leave, gentlemen!
heave!
wOLFE: these damn french have let them all sail away.
and what do i get?
i get you.
i know hornblower.
i used to serve him, too.
i was his coxswain,
and i wish he was stood here before me now,
but as it is, you'll have to do.
have you anything to say for yourself?
plenty, sir.
plenty.
why would captain bracegirdle risk it, sir?
taking his ship in so close?
as i remember him, he was such a cautious man.
hORNBLOWER: quite.
which means he must have had
a good reason.
the patient is restored to us,
in body if not yet in mind.
bRACEGIRDLE: gentlemen...
just like old times on the "indy."
the 3 of us together.
like old times.
do you know where you are, bracegirdle?
i'm on your ship, horatio...
because i lost my own.
and why were you so close to shore?
i saw...boats...
guns mounted...
rowing along the coast.
there's something about them.
so then i kept watch for days.
and then they...
disappeared into an inlet.
i don't remember.
this will restore his wits quick enough, sir.
"doughty's patent remedy" they call it in the...
i'm still working on
making the taste of it better.
enemy frigate, sir.
her gunports are closed.
captain bracegirdle saw gunboats
paddling to an inlet somewhere.
gunboats?
but no frigates.
captain bracegirdle, you're with us again.
it seems god had second thoughts about me.
gunboats to blast defenders on the english beaches.
now they have a frigate, too. why?
mr. prowse.
pROWSE: aye, sir?
no closer to the shore
until we have the weather.
we'll ride it out from here...
and wait, and watch.
pROWSE: aye-aye, sir.
with all due respect, mr. etheridge,
and indeed, to the diplomatic service,
the royal navy is at war.
no, sir. england is at war.
the royal navy has but one weapon
in her armory.
and you would have this weapon sheathed?
for what? a wild goose chase
hunting a couple lost at sea?
good god,
i have entire ships go missing.
hundreds of men.
that letter bears the authority
not only of my master, sir, but also of yours--
their lordships at the admiralty.
or should we send for more lights?
the better to read it.
what is so important about this couple
that they must be found?
she is the daughter
of a wealthy american merchant
who has the ear of his ambassador to london.
the ambassador has the ear
of the diplomatic service and--
yes, yes, yes.
and the diplomatic service has the ear of the admiralty.
everyone's got each other's ears.
i'm surprised they're not all deaf by now.
the girl's father
has grown concerned for her safety
and he wants her home for christmas.
very touching.
and the boy?
he is-- he is her husband.
is that all he is?
he is also a frenchman.
i regret that more than that
i am not at liberty to divulge.
well, it would make precious little difference.
the gales this side of the channel
are the worst we've had in 5 years.
i'll send no ship out if not for battle.
the gales will not last forever, sir.
no, they won't.
and then i shall wait for fair weather.
good.
you do that.
this couple,
they're either dead or in france.
or if they're lucky,
if they're very, very lucky,
they've already been picked up by
one of our ships.
that would be good for them,
but not so good for the ship.
why?
why, sir? are they dangerous?
yes, sir edward.
yes, they are.
blessings.
if there's one consolation of this sorry situation,
your cooking is superb.
mon plaisir, monsieur.
madame.
it's nice to have someone
who appreciates it.
he's no bloody american.
i'm sure i don't know what you mean, styles.
i heard his way of talking.
he's a frog.
keep it down, styles. he's not french.
he's swiss.
swiss?
i knew things weren't right.
a bad luck, bloody frog.
i said keep it down, man.
strangers on board, ill luck doth afford.
what? i had this feeling
what with the storm and all that's happened,
but i let it go
on account of them being americans,
no danger to us.
but a frog's a different matter.
there's as good as bloody jonahs,
and they'll be the death of us.
it was my fault,
there's no denying.
you did what you thought was right.
and it was wrong.
my ship...
and half the crew
splintered on those rocks.
and what happened to those who survived?
what happened to you?
they did not blame me for my actions.
they were loyal to me to the last.
they managed to get ashore.
and as those bastard frogs came at us,
my men stood by me,
and my men died for me.
and in amongst their bodies,
i was left for dead.
i wish i were dead, horatio.
i lost my ship and all my men.
and even if a court martial
were to acquit me,
i'd never get a command again.
you can't be sure of that.
can i not?
if you'll excuse me.
if it helps you to know...
i believe that i would have
done the same.
whatever the frogs are up to in that inlet,
it is our duty to find out.
the gamble you took... i would've taken it, too.
all well?
aye, sir. all well.
i wouldn't count on us making it till morning.
what's got to you, man?
nothing, sir.
it's just...
got this feeling, that's all.
there's nothing out there, but a long, cold night.
[knock on door]
come.
[door opens]
i wish you would keep to your quarters.
wOMAN: it is my husband you fear wandering,
is it not?
and he is fast asleep.
he has the right idea.
you wish we weren't aboard your ship, sir?
it certainly doesn't help my mission, madame.
that is all you care about?
i fear my husband would be the same
were he at war.
did he give you that?
as a token of his love, yes.
do you have a keepsake from a sweetheart?
no, madam.
when we left, my...wife,
she--she gave me some gloves.
are you long married?
no.
nor me.
put us ashore, sir, as soon as you can.
we are not a cargo you wish to hold.
please. trust me.
bloody hell.
don't shoot!
it's me!
it's your old friend, maguire!
it's maguire!
over here!
take this line!
all fast! pull away!
pull away, boys!
mEN: heave!
heave!
we heard you were dead, man.
i very nearly was, sir,
but it will take more than a few frogs to hold me.
you were captured, then?
i was sir, yes.
outnumbered i was, sir.
i tried to fight,
but it was absolutely useless.
and then a miraculous escape.
[cannon fire]
[men shouting]
we're boarded!
mAN: all aboard!
do you believe me now, eh?
come on!
[man grunting]
[cannon fire]
well done, soldier.
let's find our man.
he'll be in the first lieutenant's cabin.
hORNBLOWER: wolfe?
don't waste time here.
drop your weapon, wolfe.
captain hornblower,
you have something belonging to france
and i'm here to collect it.
so you're still risking your life
for bonaparte.
you know how it is.
he scratches my back, i scratch his.
[heavy clattering]
die!
styles, with me.
put the weapon down, wolfe!
put the weapon down!
stop there, maguire, or i'll shoot.
i wish my guests to stay.
ignore him, maguire.
he'd never shoot a man in cold blood.
but i would, and gladly.
i will kill him, wolfe.
i have cause enough.
mr. bush, relieve him of his weapon.
he comes near me
and i shoot you, hornblower.
so which is it to be, me or you?
or us both?
kill him, mr. bush,
and let him die for france.
can't.
the decent englishman.
if only you had the guts to match.
obey my orders, mr. bush, damn you!
all right, mr. bush, let us have it your way.
let us surrender.
hORNBLOWER: wolfe's getting away!
stop him!
[splash]
i surrender, captain.
i am not swiss. i am a frenchman.
i know that you are french, monsieur.
madam, might i see that locket?
i thought i recognized this crest.
a prominent family, i believe.
the "b" does not stand for "betsy" does it?
does it?
who do i have the pleasure of addressing, sir?
this "b" is for...
bonaparte.
i'm jerome lucien alexandre bonaparte.
i'm the brother of napoleon.
lock him up.
mAN: marines!
lock them both up.
you have the brother
of england's archenemy aboard.
i'd say you have good reason
to return to england.
is that what you would do if you were captain?
something else is happening here.
ships cannons on land.
gunboats, frigates, and now wolfe.
would you leave and let
all these questions go unanswered?
we've been boarded once
and we'll be boarded again.
bonaparte wants his brother back.
bonaparte wants the world.
he wouldn't waste such time and effort on--
on family.
no, we are but a diversion.
i'm sure of it.
well, if you're right,
let me be the one to go ashore.
this is still my mission, horatio,
and if i am to face a court martial
for the loss of my ship,
let it not be in vain.
mAN: stand by to leave ship!
mr. bush, a moment if you please.
when wolfe held his gun to me,
you should have shot him.
damn it, man,
he could have taken the whole ship.
i couldn't do it.
don't disobey me, william.
never again.
i command the "hotspur,"
and that is all that matters to me.
captain bracegirdle has lost his ship
and he's a carcass of a man.
i'd rather die than share his fate.
mAN: bonaparte's brother, damn it,
on one of my ships.
which one?
which brother or which ship?
mr. etheridge,
this is not a matter for jest.
good god, boney's brother.
i had a right to know.
and now you do.
the ship is the "hotspur."
how do you know this?
we have contacts in france.
so tell me, is the captain
of the "hotspur" a naval officer?
yes. he's one of my best.
good, so now the weather is improved,
i trust he will deliver his burden back to england
in, say, two days?
i'm sure the captain will trust his intuition
and exercise the proper judgement.
that is all. i'll say good day, sir.
the french know we're here,
so let's keep this visit brief.
matthews you will go with captain bracegirdle
to the south of the inlet.
mr. bush, you will come with me
to the north.
mr. orrock.
sir?
i shall leave you in command.
if we are gone any longer than two hours,
you know what you must do.
press sail to england, sir,
and deliver our guests to the authorities.
good. let's hope we all sail with it.
carry on.
don't forget, captain, we only have two hours.
i won't.
i ask you,
going all that way to face boney's army
when we've got his own brother right here...
styles.
you watch yourself.
aye-aye, sir.
keep a sharp look out.
any sign of the french,
and you return to the ship.
aye-aye, sir.
keep up, matthews.
it's but a stroll.
begging your pardon, sir,
it's a bloody great cliff.
pROWSE: rather them than me.
mr. orrock, sir,
i was just wondering if...
well, i had been making our guests breakfast.
they're prisoners now.
no breakfasts.
they can go hungry.
let the men see them go hungry.
do you have a problem, mr. prowse?
no, sir.
you're in command.
[man speaking french]
another ship's cannon.
come on.
i think we might be outnumbered.
come along. time's winged chariot.
[playing "yankee doodle dandy"]
¶ oh, jackie, oh, we rescued her ¶
¶ and she don't need her pony ¶
¶ but with her on her.. ¶
¶ she's got a...¶
stop that at once.
it's just a little ditty, sir.
there are nothing in the articles of war
saying we can't make up our own words,
is there, sir?
[whistling "yankee doodle dandy"]
i see no ship, sir.
then they must be further down
where it opens out again.
but that must be another mile, sir.
we might be able to get there.
we'll never get back in the time, sir.
i've come this far, matthews.
i'm not giving up now,
but neither do i wish to remain in france.
i think i'll boat across
to captain hornblower's side at the inlet.
tell him i'm right behind you.
tell him i need more time.
but, sir--
you wait there for captain hornblower,
send our boat back for me.
if you're sure, sir.
it's an order, matthews.
[man shouting in french]
pleasant as ever.
i knew he wasn't here
to rescue a missing frenchman,
however noble that frenchman's birth.
[wolfe shouting in french]
wOLFE: you lazy dog!
[speaking french]
we truly are surrounded.
bRACEGIRDLE: great god, let this be it.
[horse nickers]
damn.
what are you doing here, matthews?
what's happened to captain bracegirdle?
he said he needed more time, sir.
he said he won't be long.
i sent the other boat back to wait for him, sir.
very well.
you'll have to come with us.
aye-aye, sir.
have you good news for me, soldier?
how long have we left?
dead on, sir.
thought you might want these, sir.
wind's getting up, sir.
prepare to make sail, mr. prowse.
aye-aye, sir.
captain! at the cliff top, sir!
glass.
let's close the distance for them, mr. prowse.
aye-aye, sir.
[gunfire]
it's not a ship's cannon this time, is it, sir?
no, mr. bush.
i don't believe it is.
[gunfire continues]
row, damn you! row!
captain hornblower!
i know!
i can't make out what he's saying.
it's not the cannons!
the ship!
not a chance.
tres bien.
now, let's see if we can get the real prize.
[shouting in french]
3 cheers for the captain!
hip hip!
resume your duty, mr. orrock.
throw the damn thing overboard.
[splash]
[knock on door]
enter.
ah, mr. bush. we sail for england.
tell mr. prowse to plot a course.
aye-aye, sir.
should i get doughty
and, say, look at your hand?
do you suppose he has a potion for it?
do you suppose he has a potion
for captain bracegirdle?
no, i wish to be left alone for awhile.
i wish to write my report.
i trust you'll mention
your part in the action, sir?
i'm sorry, mr. bush?
the shells.
do you mean the 5-inch shell
that was fired from shore
which failed to explode, mr. bush?
that shell?
well, that's hardly a full account, sir.
was it not a 5-inch shell?
yes, it was.
was it not fired from shore?
of course.
did it perhaps explode
without my noticing, mr. bush?
the reason it didn't explode, sir,
is because of your bravery,
bravery which should not
go unacknowledged.
don't presume to tell me i was brave, mr. bush.
i thought i'd be blown to bloody rags...
like my dear friend.
which makes your heroism, sir,
all the greater.
we are not actresses.
we are the king's officers,
and we have a duty to do.
and we've not a thought to spare
for anything else.
now, remember that, mr. bush.
yes, sir.
now...take us home.
[knock on door]
enter.
ah.
hornblower.
my report, sir.
i regret to inform you that
captain bracegirdle was killed in action, sir.
indeed.
that is to be regretted.
he died in the line of duty, sir,
and with honor.
he was endeavoring to let us know
what he had discovered when his boat was...
well, destroyed.
however, you should have returned
when you discovered the identity of
your passengers.
yes, sir.
something's happening along that coast.
an army led by a tyrant apprentice.
you remember the renegade wolfe, sir.
god. that damn man is back to haunt us, is he?
yes, sir, and i'd like to return to france
to find out exactly what he's planning.
well, i'm afraid, hornblower,
it's not quite as simple as that.
the diplomatic service has taken quite an interest
in your antics.
they knew i had a bonaparte on board.
indeed they did.
and their authority knows no bounds.
their authority, in fact,
has quarantined your ship.
quarantined?
lest half of portsmouth
be privy to matters of state,
no one is allowed off the "hotspur,"
and no one is allowed on.
sorry. it's not my decision.
mr. bush has already been informed.
and how long will this last?
surely this quarantine doesn't include me.
what will i do?
i'd make the most of this sorry situation
and go home to your wife.
try and remind yourself
what you're fighting for.
you've been here 3 days,
yet each morning you seem
surprised to see me.
pleasantly surprised, my dear.
and each morning,
you go to the window
and look out at the harbor.
you're right, of course.
oh, horrie.
can't you forget about your ship for one day?
no, maria, i don't believe i can,
not while my men are still aboard her.
do you think they'll be let ashore before christmas?
i hope not.
i think the "hotspur" may set sail
by the week's end.
i know you want me here.
but right now, i...
i wish i was at sea.
it's where i'm needed.
try to understand.
i found your gloves whilst you were sleeping.
they're in a sorry state.
it was nothing.
perhaps you might tell me
some stories of your life at sea.
they're not stories, maria,
and i do not wish to talk about it.
then do not expect me to understand.
strangers on board, you'll look to the ford.
oh...
but i was right all along.
right about what?
well, first,
our guests turned out to be bonapartes.
next, captain bracegirdle
goes and gets himself killed,
then we're left out here to rot
as if we've got the plague. we're cursed.
oh, do shut up, styles.
it's bad enough you look like
a gypsy soothsayer
without babbling on like one.
what do you care?
steady.
you didn't even know captain bracegirdle.
you're just as much a stranger on this ship
as--as our frogs.
it's just a bad turn of events, that's all.
bad? what, it's all right for the captain?
having a grand old time on shore.
this ship's gone all to hell.
i didn't catch that, styles.
i think styles was just saying
how much he loves serving in
the "hotspur," mr. bush.
isn't that right, styles?
yes, sir. that's right, sir.
bUSH: matthews.
be careful what you let the men mumble.
wouldn't want them to be misunderstood.
i don't care much for reading,
but i'm told there's mention of you in here.
i'm sure it's about captain bracegirdle
rather than myself.
yes, i hear he died a hero.
you men in uniform.
could've been you, horatio.
"captain hornblower reported the 'hotspur'
"was struck by a 5-inch shell,
"which did considerable damage aloft
but which, fortunately, failed to explode."
oh, horrie.
it was nothing.
as clear as it is written in black and white,
it did not even explode.
you could have died.
my friend bracegirdle did exactly that,
and i wish i were back aboard my ship
ensuring he did not die in vain.
[crying]
i'm sorry.
maria, please. please don't cry.
[door opens]
horatio.
you think you're just the "hotspur"'s captain.
you think only of your 100 crew.
but you're also a husband now.
is it too much that you might
think of one wife?
that you might think of her as
your duty, too?
the fat arse of the body politic
finally stirs,
and this is what we get.
eTHERIDGE: it was thought, initially,
that bonaparte's brother could be
a tool for propaganda,
but after much debate,
it has been agreed that
this callow youth means little to us
after all,
at least politically.
indeed, he could prove
a severe embarrassment
to his majesty, if he were to
set foot on english soil.
mmm. from a military standpoint, he knows nothing.
he's been in america for the last 3 years.
he's no use to us.
which is why we have decided
to take this course of action.
so, captain hornblower's to throw his fish
back into the sea.
having endangered his ship,
having him aboard for nothing.
eTHERIDGE: not for nothing, sir edward.
not entirely.
you will deliver jerome
back to france, and then you
will return and rendezvous with
the american ship "liberty,"
and reunite father and daughter.
but why part the couple?
pELLEW: it seems jerome
married somewhat in haste
and against his brother's express command.
and now boney won't let him
set foot in france unless he's alone
and penitent.
which is why we found them
rowing ashore,
not because their captain
would not land them, but because
france would not let him,
not with her on board.
your intelligence surpasses your occupation,
captain hornblower.
you should be in politics.
thank you, sir, but i fear
i would not have the heart for it.
i fear you underestimate yourself, sir.
now, good day, gentlemen.
it seems the diplomatic service
have made their orders perfectly clear.
perfectly, sir.
i hope your admiral's orders are equally clear.
yes, sir. i shall trust my intuition
as well as observe
and execute my orders.
captain hornblower.
sir.
you were very fortunate
the day captain bracegirdle was lost
that the shell did not explode
aboard the "hotspur," were you not?
yes, sir.
and i say, it's unbelievable
what a hotbed of gossip a fleet can be.
the wildest tales are circulating
regarding that shell.
you cannot hold me
responsible for that, sir.
no, indeed.
may good fortune
always go with you, hornblower.
thank you, sir.
[indistinct shouting]
[man shouting indistinctly]
set a course, mr. prowse.
take us back to
the "grasshopper's" grave.
aye-aye, sir.
we've been put off long enough, mr. bush.
i hope the men are ready to fight.
i fear the men wish only to be rid of
the bonapartes, sir.
may i ask why we didn't
unload them while we had the chance?
no, mr. bush. you may not.
my apologies, sir.
monsieur and madame bonaparte
are asking for you.
tell them that i do not wish
to speak to them.
as you wish, sir.
but...prepare them a decent meal.
yes, mr. orrock had kept them on
rations, sir, in order that
the men's morale might improve.
morale will improve in due course.
meanwhile, doughty, a decent meal,
if you please.
why, aye, sir.
rest assured, mr. bush,
it will be their last together.
what's this?
and i thought they were on
ship's biscuits and water.
styles, let me pass.
it is simply a bowl of stew.
no. it's a bowl of our stew.
don't be an idiot, man.
there's plenty enough for everyone
on second thought,
you wouldn't catch me eating that.
i know what's in it.
[laughter]
i reckon the frogs deserved
a bit of extra meat.
you bloody simple-minded muttonhead.
you wouldn't understand the notion of
taking some pride in doing your duty.
go mollycoddle your foreign pets.
the only thing that makes this bloody life
bearable to me
is being a decent steward!
[shouting]
the bonapartes are jonah, doughty.
you're serving a bloody jonah!
superstitious dumb nonsense.
no good has come of having them aboard!
superstitious dumb nonsense!
belay there! doughty, styles!
i'm sorry to put you out like this, sir.
you struck a superior officer.
once we return to england,
you will face a court-martial.
and i will hang, sir.
they will have no choice.
your second shirt needs a button, sir,
and a darning of the cuff.
why did you do it?
i don't know, sir.
take him below. put him in irons.
i don't wish to look at him.
mr. orrock seems forgiving.
he thinks that doughty was
simply trying to defend himself.
doughty was defending
my decision to feed the guests.
but he'll hang all the same,
no matter what i say.
our one aim is
to complete our mission, mr. bush,
to discover exactly what
boney's up to along this coast.
nothing must be allowed to distract us from that.
then we'd be better off without
our guests on board, sir.
mAN: land ho!
hop on leg.
you alone.
[indistinct]
where are we?
a little south of brest.
you are to be returned to france.
this is wonderful. why?
my men will row you ashore.
i'll help my wife.
perhaps we can have some assistance
with our possessions. thank you.
you travel alone.
i what?
you depart the ship
alone, or not at all.
it's your choice.
rot in an english prison or...
or seize the chance
to change your brother's mind.
so you know.
why did you not tell your wife that
bonaparte does not
accept this marriage?
because i love her,
and because he will accept it.
i will persuade him.
this is the only chance you have.
no. i can't go without her.
it'll break her heart.
i don't doubt it. matthews.
get the boat ready.
aye-aye, sir.
i may be a bonaparte, captain,
but do not judge me as my brother.
i'm a man in my own right,
whatever my family name.
it's not my place to judge you,
merely to follow my orders.
what would you do, captain?
would you abandon your wife,
leave her without any notice?
tell me. i'd like to know.
what would you do?
my duty.
my duty, then.
where is my husband?
where is he? my jerome?
and why are we set free?
he's not here.
he's gone home.
home?
to france.
he was permitted to return,
but only if alone.
he agreed with those terms.
you're lying.
what have you done? if you've hurt him--
i've done nothing.
damn you. jerome! jerome!
calm yourself.
he would not leave me.
he would not. he loves me.
are you so naive?
look, this is war.
thousands and thousands of men,
putting their lives at risk.
a tyrant destroying europe.
do you honestly think
that what you feel in your heart
compares with that?
when we return to england,
in neutral waters,
you will be delivered to the "liberty,"
which will return you to america.
i hope the french kill you, sir.
the odds are certainly in their favor.
perhaps tomorrow they may succeed.
no bonaparte on board?
my sore head has all but mended,
and there's a nice pretty bit of snow.
things are looking up, mr. prowse.
there's no pretty about snow at sea, mr. orrock.
we will take advantage of
the mist, mr. prowse,
if not the snow.
mr. bush and i are to go ashore again,
so again, the ship is yours.
aye-aye, sir.
best make haste, sir.
no telling how long this mist will hold.
rest assured, mr. prowse,
i have no intention of leaving you
for any longer than i need.
come on! come on, you lazy little bastards!
allez! allez!
if that ship isn't ready to sail by noon tomorrow,
i'll make you all swim!
[shouting in french]
no wonder you're still in this war...
hORATIO: so that's what
mr. bracegirdle must have seen.
sir?
and that's the reason for
the cannons in the farmhouse.
the frigates, mr. bush.
you see how high
they ride in the water
they've had their guns removed.
[speaking french]
how many men
will a 40-gun ship hold,
if it's stripped bare?
1,000, maybe? packed tight.
3 ships, 3,000 troops.
well-trained frenchmen under orders of
the fervent united irishmen.
those frigates will not be fighting, mr. bush.
they were troop transports,
and by the look of things,
ready to set sail.
in brest, 200,000 frenchmen
wait to invade england,
and all our fleet sit waiting.
leaving the back door unguarded.
the invasion of ireland, mr. bush.
and enough men to make the troubles of '98
look like a tavern brawl.
first they take ireland, then they take england.
we shall sail the "hotspur,"
in close enough to smell them,
like a terrier to a rat's hole.
bloody big rats, sir.
bloody fierce terrier.
you can hardly see one end of the ship
from the other, sir.
shall i take her out to sea?
no, mr. prowse. quite the opposite.
we will enter the inlet.
sir, there's rocks as sharp as razors here,
and it's as shallow as a puddle.
we'll be beached like the grasshopper.
not if we're careful.
and lucky.
we'll need a good man in the lead line.
standing by, sir.
hORATIO: very good, mr. orrock.
matthews, cast loose the guns
and keep the men quiet,
or they'll answer--
aye-aye, sir.
take us in under
topsails alone, mr. prowse.
aye-aye, sir. pull up the mainsail!
[splash]
by the mark 5.
quietly.
sorry, sir.
by the mark 5, sir.
steady as she goes, mr. prowse.
steady it is, sir.
steady as she goes.
pROWSE: there's the first one attempting to leave.
it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel, sir.
we'll be the fish if we don't find that
channel soon, sir.
quite right, mr. prowse.
try her 2 points to starboard.
aye-aye, sir. 2 points to starboard.
aye-aye, sir.
mr. matthews, stand by with
those larboard guns.
aye-aye, sir.
and a quarter less four.
a quarter less four.
we're shoaling fast, sir.
steady as she goes, mr. prowse.
steady as she goes.
aye-aye, sir.
deep 6.
it's better, sir.
hORATIO: where would you say
their lights were?
lined up above the mizzen tops, sir.
match them. hoist 3 the same,
but keep them covered until
i give a signal.
hORATIO: i wish to deceive them.
if we have the same lights,
they'll think we're part of their fleet.
very clever, sir.
thank you, mr. prowse.
a compliment at last.
listen.
[man calling indistinctly]
get those lights ready, mr. bush.
no bottom with this line.
no bottom, mr. bush. shhh.
it's not our only concern, mr. orrock.
i want you aloft.
i want you on those lights.
[man calling indistinctly]
no bottom, sir.
i heard. full and by, mr. prowse.
aye-aye, sir. full and by.
mAN: aye-aye, sir. full and by it is.
how close shall i take her, sir?
how close can you get her, mr. prowse?
as close as you like, sir.
then make it so i can't
see the water between us.
aye-aye, sir.
stand by the guns.
[man calling indistinctly]
mAN: run out.
quietly!
lights on the larboard bow.
2 sets, sir.
mr. bush.
let's confuse them.
[man calling indistinctly]
mAN: what the hell is happening--
fire!
god damn it--
[indistinct]
[shouting indistinctly]
fire on that bloody ship, or i'll fire on you!
[screaming]
[man screaming]
get a line on this. move yourself.
they're still coming, sir.
the grating's smashed through, sir.
get below, and secure that cannon.
aye-aye, sir.
mr. prowse. aye, sir.
as close as we can to the other ships.
aye-aye, sir. come to port.
mAN: aye-aye, sir.
[grunting]
mAN: hold tight, man. we'll have you out of there.
[grunting]
the other 2 frigates are going about.
they've guessed who we are.
[grunting]
come on, man.
we'll have to close with them, sir.
if they reach open sea,
we'll have no hope.
no need, mr. prowse. look.
mAN: 2, 3...heave!
come out, quick! i can't!
[gunfire]
aah! oh!...
[indistinct shouting]
pROWSE: listen.
they've hit bottom, sir.
[crash]
and each other.
[indistinct shouting]
sir.
aah!
ow! uhh! uhh...
i've had my share of
prisoners aboard this ship,
so if you wish to die a martyr...
i would.
and joyfully, hornblower,
but not by your sorry hand.
that'd break my heart.
your heart, wolfe?
and where might that be found?
i admire you, hornblower. i really do.
but i loathe and despise
every bloody thing that you represent.
uhh! aah! uhh!
uhh...
uhh.
merry christmas, sir.
yes, it is. thank you.
and the same to you, mr. bush.
matthews asked me
why he and styles
troubled to save doughty from a 12-pounder
dropping on his head,
when he'd have had a cleaner, quicker death
than hanging on the end of the rope?
and what did you tell him, william?
honor, fellowship, duty.
and did he understand?
do you?
mAN: "liberty!" ahoy there!
you marines, wait outside.
a good name for a ship.
"liberty."
sir?
sailing for america.
she can't be more than 100 yards away.
i, uh, i can't remember
why i asked you here, doughty.
it'll come to me, i'm sure.
[knock on door]
enter.
her boat's ready to take the lady, sir.
you asked to be informed?
oh, yes. i'd forgotten.
thank you.
you're a good steward, doughty.
you cook
and you swim.
good day to you.
[door closes]
thank you, sir.
you were damn heartless, mr. hornblower.
when i met you, i thought of you
as a hero.
i was wrong to.
madam, if your husband loves you,
he will follow you.
eventually, he will.
don't talk to me of love. you know nothing of it.
i pity your poor wife, sir.
come, come.
man in water, sir.
sECOND MAN: put a bold course for it.
i pity her, too.
but i am the man she married.
[gunshot]
it's doughty.
damn it, he must have gone through the window.
hold your fire, man. hold your fire.
that's a neutral ship.
i am a fool, mr. bush.
he's a fine man, doughty,
and a good cook.
please accept him as my apology for...
[sigh]
for being so damned heartless.
i will, mr. hornblower.
eTHERIDGE: the husband will not see the wife again.
bonaparte's envoy is heading to the vatican,
demanding that their marriage
be annulled.
those brutal french.
the girl's well rid of him, hmm?
just as we are well rid of
that criminal, doughty.
pELLEW: seems to have concluded for the best.
eTHERIDGE: the diplomatic service is thankful,
captain hornblower.
your work for us has been exemplary.
[exhales]
now, i'm sure you gentlemen have much to discuss.
it's been a pleasure.
and both of you, sir edward, captain hornblower,
good day to you.
hornblower?
sir.
mr. etheridge seems to think
we have something to discuss, sir.
i'm leaving.
i'm hauling down my flag.
retiring, sir?
no, no, not retirement.
promotion. yes.
but it means leaving behind
the ... and all the men
who've served me so well.
now, that is good news, sir,
but i regret it all the same.
i'm beginning to regret it myself.
anyway, come on. let's be cheerful.
does this not mean anything to you?
no, sir. only what i've said,
and that it has been an honor
to serve under you.
nothing else?
no, sir.
do you not remember the last privilege
granted a promoted commander-in-chief?
no, sir.
oh, yes,
it's beginning to dawn on you. good.
i'm allowed 3 promotions.
midshipman to lieutenant,
lieutenant to commander,
commander to post captain.
my men have served me most notably, sir.
might i suggest-- no, no, hornblower.
no, no. i mean you, damn it.
yes, i'm promoting you,
to post captain.
well, i have the good of
the service in mind.
you were the best choice i could make.
i know it's the damnedest time to be a captain
in this sorry war,
but you see things, sir, that other men do not.
but one thing you do not question
is your duty to your king.
i only hope that one day, hornblower,
you'll fight for more than england.
what is there more than england?
to a happy and most prosperous new year.
you must toast, horrie.
yes, of course. sorry.
to, ah... to our family.
i am aware that i haven't been...
well...this year, i shall
try to be a better husband...
and a better son.
hmm.
you have been a hero.
and rewarded for it.
and it is i who should apologize,
for always asking you about your life at sea.
i know why you do not tell me.
you know it would upset me.
at any rate, i keep things from you, too.
you do?
when i fear for your life,
i'm not being wholly selfish.
i'm not the only one you would leave behind.
well, she doesn't mean me. what would i care?
[giggles]
oh, horrie.
you're going to be a father.