Overview
A young midshipman faces the trials of naval warfare and personal conflict during a tumultuous time in history.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- adventurous
- tense
- earnest
- historical movie night
- adventure marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hornblower begins as an inexperienced midshipman and is shaped by shipboard conflict, duels, and wartime service.
The plot centers on British fleet service, midshipmen, naval officers, seasickness, shipwreck, and discipline at sea.
Hornblower's conflict with the bullying Simpson repeatedly leads toward duels governed by military and social codes.
Hornblower must navigate naval authority, Simpson's intimidation, the consequences of a substitute fighter's death, and wartime duty.
Films like Hornblower: The Even Chance, and why
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
shared maritime adventure, naval hierarchy, historical warfare, and coming-of-age leadership
The Bounty
shared 18th-century seafaring, British naval culture, shipboard conflict, and adventure storytelling
Napoleon
shared Napoleonic-era naval combat, period drama, masculine camaraderie, and command ambition
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrew Grieve
- Release Date
- 1998-10-07
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (64)
Cast
- Ioan Gruffudd
- Robert Lindsay
- Dorian Healy
- Michael Byrne
- Robert Bathurst
- Duncan Bell
- Paul Copley
- Sean Gilder
- Simon Sherlock
- Chris Barnes
Common questions
- What is Hornblower: The Even Chance about?
- A young British midshipman confronts a vicious shipmate and the perils of Napoleonic naval service while learning what command demands.
- What is Hornblower: The Even Chance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hornblower: The Even Chance as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hornblower: The Even Chance violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hornblower: The Even Chance as moderate.
- Which films are like Hornblower: The Even Chance?
- Films with a similar feel include Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Bounty, and Napoleon.
- How long is Hornblower: The Even Chance?
- Hornblower: The Even Chance runs 100 minutes.
