The Duchess and the Devil
| The Duchess and the Devil | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Patrick Harbinson (screenplay), C. S. Forester (adapted from the novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, chapter "Hornblower, the Duchess, and the Devil" |
| Starring | Ioan Gruffudd |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Editor | Keith Palmer |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 24 February 1999 |
| Related | |
| The Examination for Lieutenant The Frogs and the Lobsters | |
The Duchess and the Devil is the third episode of the British television series Hornblower.[1] The episode first aired on 24 February 1999 on ITV.[2] The television story is loosely based on the chapter "Hornblower, the Duchess, and the Devil" in C. S. Forester's 1950 novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower.[3]
Plot
Acting Lieutenant
After the party, Pellew orders Hornblower to transport the Duchess to
Hornblower and his crew are imprisoned in a fortress commanded by Don Alfredo de Massaredo, while the Duchess is hosted as Alfredo's guest. Hornblower is reunited with Archie Kennedy, who had previously been set adrift while unconscious by the vindictive Jack Simpson.
Some of the crew join hot-headed Midshipman Hunter in a premature escape attempt, and Hornblower orders the others to come to their aid. The escape fails, and Hunter is wounded. As the senior officer, Hornblower accepts blame and is forced to spend time in the same hole that previously held Kennedy, which is open to the elements and so small it does not permit a prisoner to sit or stand.
Soon after Hornblower's release from the hole, Alfredo and he witness a nighttime engagement between Almeria and Indefatigable. During a subsequent storm, Almeria founders on the rocky shoals. Hornblower volunteers himself and his crew to brave the rough seas and rescue those aboard Almeria, pledging his word of honor that he and his crew will return to the prison afterwards. Alfredo consents and a contrite Hunter insists on taking part, though his wound has not fully healed. Those saved include the Duchess and the injured captain of Almeria, whose rescue results in Hunter's death. They spend the rest of the night at sea in the rescue boat and are picked up by Indefatigable the next day.
On board Indefatigable, the Duchess returns the despatches to Pellew, who informs Hornblower that he has been promoted to lieutenant for his bravery in the fireship attack on Gibraltar.[b] Hornblower asks permission to honor his pledge to Alfredo, and Pellew consents. Though Pellew considers Hornblower's men not bound by Hornblower's promise, when Pellew puts the question to them, they choose to preserve Hornblower's honor by returning with him. Indefatigable departs for England with the Duchess as a passenger, and before she leaves Hornblower promises to keep her secret and she pledges her permanent friendship. Soon after Hornblower and his men return to the prison, they are released by order of the King and Queen of Spain in recognition of their gallantry in saving the crew of Almeria.
Cast
- Ioan Gruffudd as Acting Lieutenant / Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower
- Robert Lindsay as Captain Sir Edward Pellew
- Cherie Lunghi as Katherine “Kitty” Cobham / the Duchess of Wharfedale
- Christopher Fulford as Midshipman Hunter
- Ronald Pickup as Don Massaredo
- Jamie Bamber as Midshipman Archie Kennedy
- Jonathan Coy as Lieutenant Bracegirdle
- John Woodvine as Sir Hew Dalrymple
- Paul Copley as Matthews
- Sean Gilder as Styles
- Jean-Yves Berteloot as Etienne de Vergasse
- Simon Sherlock as Oldroyd
- Vincent S. Boluda as Spanish Lieutenant
- Jolyon Baker as Captain Joubert
- Colin MacLachlan as Master Bowles
Notes
- ^ As seen in episode one, The Even Chance.
- ^ As seen in The Examination for Lieutenant.
References
- ^ "Hornblower: Season 1". TheTVDB. Whip Media Company. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "The Duchess and the Devil". TheTVDB. Whip Media Company. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ Zad, Martie (4 April 1999). "Horatio Hornblower Sails Again". The Washington Post. Washington, DC.
