Hornblower Sails Again!
Interviews and Report
By Paul Chamberlain
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When I was invited to view the first of the two-part story, I was also able to speak to members of the cast, including Ioan Gruffudd and David Warner, and find out more about their roles in the film, and how these episodes were made. Before relating their stories, it is appropriate to describe the storyline.
The story is adapted from the book Lieutenant Hornblower, and follows our hero’s adventures aboard the 74-gun ship HMS Renown as she sails to the West Indies. Captain Sawyer (played by David Warner) is commander of the ship, and his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. This persuades Hornblower and his fellow officers that he is unfit for command, but they are reluctant to remove him from his position as this would be tantamount to mutiny. Sawyer is eventually removed from command, and the storyline is full of tension, drama and strong interplay between the different characters.
The first film is titled Mutiny, while the story continues in the second film (titled Retribution) as Hornblower and the crew of the Renown capture a Spanish fort in Santo Domingo after a fierce sea battle. Once the Renown reaches Kingston however, Hornblower faces a court martial for mutiny, the sentence for which is death.
The two films were shot over a period of 12 weeks during the summer of 2000, with equal time being spent on location in Menorca, followed by filming in the UK at Pinewood Studios. On Menorca, filming occurred on a rugged headland north of the island’s capital Mahon, called La Molla. In the story, the Renown sails to the West Indies where Spanish privateers are attacking British merchant ships. The Spaniards are based in a bay off Santo Domingo. To defeat the privateers the Renown must enter the bay, which is protected by a strong fortress built above a labyrinth of tunnels.
The fort at La Molla was ideal for the fort in the story, complete with cellars and tunnels beneath. Aside from the fort, the same peninsular also provided the perfect spot to construct the upper decks of the Renown. Production designer Rob Harris related that
The Renown is a 74-gun ship, three times bigger than Hornblower’s frigate in the first series. A ship of that size does not exist and it was not feasible to build one, so we built the upper decks of our ship on dry land, sticking out over a promontory about 100 feet above the sea, with 240 degrees of sea horizon. Scenes on the upper decks were filmed in Menorca, and on the lower decks on a specially constructed set at Pinewood Studios.
Costume Designer John Mollo had quite a challenge in designing the 600 costumes used in this production, most of which were for the extras. The first series was set in 1793, and this story is in 1802. Fashions changed during that period and this was reflected in the uniforms designed for this story.
When I spoke to Ioan Gruffudd, he told me that all the cast and production crew have come a long way since the previous series was filmed three years ago, in terms of practical experience and team effort. It is also obvious that the opinions of TV viewers of the first films have been taken into consideration, especially in the special effects department. Special Effects Supervisor Alex Gurucharri noted that one of the few areas that were not entirely convincing in the first series was the extent to which the cannons recoiled when they were fired.
On the boat the cannons are 12 pounders with a recoil of 4 to 5 feet. On the fort, they are 32 pounders with an 8 foot recoil. We built special rigs inside them to make them recoil effectively.
A major problem faced by the Special Effects Department was the lack of water on site in Menorca, something of a disadvantage for filming a drama that takes place at sea. Alex continues,
There was a Force 9 gale when we shot the big storm sequence at the start of the series, so we didn’t need our wind machine, but we used 60 tons of water supplied by the Menorcan Fire Brigade for rain. We also used their fire hoses to create sea spray throughout the whole location shoot.
The first series had a lot of action and battles, but Ioan Gruffudd told me that,
this series is more about the psychology of life on board ship, rather than about battles and heroic adventure. There is still plenty of swashbuckling, but the emphasis is more on intrigue and suspense. I love filming the action sequences. It’s fantastic, climbing ropes and rigging, swimming underwater, running around firing pistols and brandishing swords. Playing the part of Hornblower however, and living in London, does take the edge off my Welsh accent!
It was three years ago that Ioan Gruffudd first appeared in the titles role of C.S. Forester’s maritime hero Horatio Hornblower, and he recognises that this role has certainly helped his career enormously. Ioan believes that he and his seafaring hero have certain characteristics in common.
We are the same age so we are both older and more mature than in the first series. He’s more confident and more at ease with himself now, but he finds himself in a very difficult situation. Even so, he bites his tongue because he learnt to control his boyish frustrations and fears...I feel an affinity with Hornblower because we hold the same moral values. I was brought up a Christian and being loyal, honourable and gentlemanly is very important to me. He’s much cleverer than me, cleverer than everybody else, in fact. He takes risks but he works out the odds and the consequences like a chess player. He’s very observant. He uses his intuition but he doesn’t let his heart rule his head. He is also the perfect gentleman.
The scenes on the upper decks of the Renown were filmed in June and July. Ioan was disappointed that this series was not shot at sea,
God knows how we ever made the last series; we sailed every day for 12 weeks. At least in the Ukraine the uniforms were a blessing because they kept you warm, but I’ve never experienced the sort of heat we had in Menorca, let alone in period costume.
Ioan Gruffudd is contracted to make five series (this is the second). C.S.Forester wrote 11 books and three short stories covering the life and exploits of his fictitious naval hero, and the two series made so far have been adapted from the first two books Mr. Midshipman Hornblower and Lieutenant Hornblower. No plans have been made as yet to continue the series beyond the present two films, but first series won two prestigious Emmy awards in 1999, so the undoubted success of the present series will most likely result in further television adaptations of the Hornblower stories, though perhaps not as frequently as naval enthusiasts would like. Ioan is delighted by the loyal following that the first series of Hornblower has attracted, particularly in America.
I think people are attracted to the character because he’s not a hero in the traditional sense. He’s not a natural leader; he’s just a young man with a very bright mind. He’s compassionate, he hates injustice and he will stand up and fight when he’s pushed to the limit. He’s also very vulnerable and people like that.
The part of Captain Sawyer is played by David Warner, a character actor who has appeared in Titanic, Star Trek V and VI, The Lost World, Cross of Iron and The Omen to name but a few of his many film roles. David Warner enjoyed playing the part of a naval officer whose mental state was failing:
Sawyer is the captain of HMS Renown. He has been a national hero and is very highly regarded because of that, but he’s starting to fall apart, and to make bad decisions. He’s getting paranoid and making everybody fell very uncomfortable.
I didn’t find it difficult to act the part of a mad man. The challenge for me was not necessarily to make him sympathetic, but to try and make him credible. If he’s just a plain villain, how could he have been a hero in the past? There are two characters, Dr Clive and Gunner Hobbs, who are immensely loyal to him, so he must have had some decent qualities even though there’s clearly something wrong with him now.
David stated that the ‘mad’ character of Sawyer was a role he enjoyed playing very much, and conveying this unbalanced state to the viewer was made all the more easier by the other characters in the film discussing Sawyer’s state of mind, thus setting the scene for Sawyer’s ‘mad moments’. When I asked him if he had read any of the Hornblower novels to help with the character, he rather sheepishly admitted to not having read any of them, although he pointed out that in his profession he has a face for ‘doom and gloom’, and is thus well suited for the part! He continued;
I loved the script. There are about ten major characters all of whom have to go through developments and changes. Apart from the battles and action, which are very exciting, we also have very human stories. It is all about honour which is a rather old-fashioned concept these days. Even the most unlikely people turn out to have honour. I think even Captain Sawyer has a bit of honour. He was certainly brave, but he’s fallen apart. It is quite moving because no one is totally villainous. Even characters you wouldn’t expect turn out to be heroes in the end. Of course, I must emphasise, that these are all English heroes, and they are a very rare commodity in films nowadays.
Other well-known faces appearing in the Hornblower films include Robert Lindsay, who plays Sir Edward Pellew.
I was surprised to be asked back because Pellew doesn’t appear in this particular book. But since the first series we’ve developed a huge fan base, particularly in America. There is a website devoted entirely to my character so I think a lot of people will be pleased.
As Commodore, I’m overseeing a court martial in Kingston, Jamaica. Hornblower is on trial for mutiny and if he is found guilty he will hang. I desperately want to save him because he was my protégé.
Pellew is in a very difficult situation. As Commodore of the fleet he has to oversee this trial and see that justice is done, but he’s convinced of Hornblower’s innocence because he knows that he is an honourable human being.
Hornblower’s life is at stake. What’s at stake for Pellew is that he could lose a man he holds dear, a man he holds in high esteem, who he trained and gained promotion for. For Pellew it would be the loss of someone he regards as a son.
Robert Lindsay was disappointed he did not go to see this time, as he enjoyed the sailing sequences. He did not even get to go on location this time, as although all his scenes are set in Jamaica, they were actually filmed at Bishop’s Palace in Fulham, London.
When I accepted the role, I didn’t realise that Pellew was actually a real character. I’ve had letters from his family since the first series was transmitted. They live in Falmouth and they are still seafaring people. It’s quite weird to play a character and then get letters from his great great grandchildren. In addition, it’s very flattering to be told you’re doing the character justice.
The real Captain Pellew never gave an order that he wouldn’t or couldn’t carry out himself. He was very courageous and honourable. He was very active in the anti-slavery movement and actually arrested people taking slaves from Africa across the Atlantic. He was an extraordinary man.
Paul McGann plays Lieutenant Bush and says:
Bush is Second Lieutenant of the Renown. He is a career sailor, very solid and totally dependable. He’s a man of few words and does nothing for effect. He’s honourable and professional, so the other Lieutenants assume that Bush will side with Sawyer.
As far as Bush is concerned, Sawyer is the Captain and therefore has absolute authority because he also represents the Crown and the Navy. All the other officers find Bush difficult to read because he keeps his own counsel. When Hornblower initially comes across Bush, he doesn’t know what to make of him. The suspicion cuts both ways, and Bush doesn’t know what to make of Hornblower. I think he likes him and rather admires him.
In the new films Hornblower is joined by his two loyal shipmates Matthews and Styles, played by Paul Copley and Sean Gilder respectively. These characters are seen a lot of the time on the lower decks, and I think that this new series has admirably conveyed the cramped living conditions and the tensions that can arise amongst the crew. Paul Copley says:
Matthews is fiercely loyal to Hornblower. In the first series he was like an elderly sage to the inexperienced midshipman but now that Hornblower has won his spurs, Matthews is his loyal lieutenant. He can be a joker but in action he’s a man of iron.
Matthews has been promoted to Bosun and Styles is the Bosun’s Mate. So the responsibility that goes with our status has got to be addressed. If we’re not fighting battles, we’re keeping order on ship, and there are a few mutinous dogs around who need whipping into shape. And it falls to poor old Matthews to do the whipping.
Styles, according to Sean Gilder,
is a bit of a rough diamond. He’s a hard man but he’s honest and he has tremendous integrity. He loves Hornblower. In the first series Styles was the troublemaker to be. I was gambling and giving Hornblower grief. Slowly, Styles began to admire him, because he’s a professional officer who wants to be part of the team.
This time there is a lot of tension on board. There’s somebody that Styles doesn’t get on with very well, because basically he’s a bad egg. I stand up to him and get beaten up two or three times. I get knocked down, but I get back up again.
These are just some of the words from members of the cast of Hornblower. Ioan Gruffudd pointed out to me that if anyone would like to hear his voice reading the Hornblower stories then these are available on audiocassette from the Meridian Shop (Tel. 0870 901 9090 or visit their website www.meridiantv.com ). Penguin have published Lieutenant Hornblower in paperback to accompany the TV series, price £5.99, and further details may be obtained from their website www.penguin.co.uk
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C.S. Forester’s famous maritime hero, Horatio Hornblower, takes to the high seas in a second series of epic drama with Ioan Gruffudd again in the title role. By the time you read this article the two films may have been shown on TV, but when I watched the first episode last December the screening dates had not been finalised yet. Whenever they are actually shown, they will be well worth watching, to judge by the first episode.
Top: Capt. Sawyer, played by David Warner, relies on his past reputation and extra rations of rum to maintain the loyalty of his seamen. 
Inside the fort as Lieutenants Bush and Hornblower lead their men forward.
FE 57 Cover: Officers and crew of the Renown storm the Spanish fort on Santo Domingo.