Capitaine sans peur

Titre original : Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

NOTE IMDb

7,3/10

7,7 k

MA NOTE

Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo in Capitaine sans peur (1951)

Trailer for this tale from the salty seas

Lire trailer2:42

1 Video

37 photos

Action Adventure Drama War

Les aventures d'un capitaine de la marine royale britannique dans les eaux d'Amérique centrale pendant les guerres napoléoniennes.Les aventures d'un capitaine de la marine royale britannique dans les eaux d'Amérique centrale pendant les guerres napoléoniennes.Les aventures d'un capitaine de la marine royale britannique dans les eaux d'Amérique centrale pendant les guerres napoléoniennes.

Voir les informations de production sur IMDbPro

NOTE IMDb

7,3/10

7,7 k

MA NOTE

Voir les informations de production sur IMDbPro

Anecdotes
Once the flogging of Seaman Hommel (Peter Morton) was complete, vinegar was applied to the wound as an (unfortunately painful) antiseptic. If vinegar were not available salt could have been used instead, hence the saying "rubbing salt in the wound" whenever one trauma follows another.

Gaffes
Hornblower asks whether Lady Barbara is related to the Duke of Wellington. This is in 1807. Sir Arthur Wellesley was elevated to the Peerage after the Battle of Talavera in 1809 and to a Dukedom in 1814 after the Army invaded France. In 1807, he was still Sir Arthur. The title of Duke of Wellington did not exist.

Citations
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: You know why I'm having Hummill flogged, Mr. Gerard?
2nd Lt. Gerard: I reported him for fighting, sir.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: I am not having him flogged for fighting, Mr. Gerard. I'm having him flogged because you said in front of the men that you'd flog him. This is a ship of war - as it's captain, I must uphold my lieutenants' authority.
2nd Lt. Gerard: I understand, sir.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: Flogging only makes a bad man worse, Mr. Gerard... but it can break a good man's spirit. Is Hummill a bad man?
2nd Lt. Gerard: Aside from his temper, sir, he's a good sailor.
Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: A good sailor, ill-fed and thirsty. Watch the cat as it cuts his back to pieces, Mr. Gerard... and in the future, perhaps you'll think twice before you threaten anyone with a flogging.

Connexions
Edited into Les joyeux pirates (1952)

Avis des utilisateurs78

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7/10

Britannia rules the waves.

It took Hollywood a while to bring to the screen C. S. Forester's fascinating character Horatio Hornblower but never known to do things by halves it amalgamated in this film not one but three of Hornblower's early adventures, namely 'The Happy Return', 'Ship of the Line' and the short story 'Flying Colours'.

By all accounts it was originally intended as a vehicle for Errol Flynn but alas Mr. Flynn's star was beginning to wane and his unreliable behaviour made him too risky a proposition. As there was no actor on Warner Brothers' payroll who seemed to fit the bill, it fell to Gregory Peck, on loan from David 0. Selznick, to play the part. It turned out to be inspired casting as Mr. Peck captures brilliantly the character's innate courage and intelligence as well as his reserve and introspection. This is a star performance from one of Hollywood's finest. Those who describe him as 'wooden' are not looking at his eyes!

The obligatory romantic interest is supplied by Lady Barbara Wellesley, fictionalised sister of the Duke of Wellington who is played by Virginia Mayo.

Apparently a number of English actresses were considered but were either unavailable or uninterested. This is a far cry from Miss Mayo's role as Verna in 'White Heat' and she acquits herself very well. She is immensely appealing and has a chemistry with her leading man which always helps. Of course Miss Mayo always found an extra vitality for this particular director.

The indifference that director Raoul Walsh felt towards dialogue scenes is legendary but his mastery of action sequences is evident here in the naval battles. He never allows the pace to slacken and is aided by Guy Green's cinematography and a splendid score by Robert Farnon.

As roughly ninety-six per cent of the earth's water is oceanic it is hardly surprising that the genre of 'nautical fiction' has proved so popular. The pioneer in this country was of course Frederick Marryat who influenced both Forester and Patrick 0'Brian. Regarding the preference that some reviewers have expressed for Peter Weir's version of 0'Brian's 'Master and Commander', I can only only echo Hornblower's "Ha-hmm!"