Mutiny (2002 film)
| Mutiny | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Ioan Gruffudd |
| Country of origin |
United Kingdom USA |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Release | |
| Original release | 2002 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Frogs and the Lobsters |
| Followed by | Retribution (2002 film) |
"Mutiny" is the fifth episode of the British film series Hornblower. It was released on 24 March 2002; nearly 3 years after the first four films. It is based on the book Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester.
Cast
- Ioan Gruffudd as 3rd Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower
- David Warner as Captain James Sawyer
- Nicholas Jones as 1st Lieutenant Buckland
- Paul McGann as 2nd Lieutenant William Bush
- Jamie Bamber as 4th Lieutenant Archie Kennedy
- Paul Copley as Matthews, Boatswain
- Sean Gilder as Styles, Boatswain's Mate
- Philip Glenister as Gunner Hobbs
- David Rintoul as Dr. Clive
- Terence Corrigan as Midshipman Wellard
- Gilly Gilchrist as Randall
- Paul Brightwell as Sergeant Whiting
- Robert Lindsay as Commodore Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth
Plot
The film starts in Kingston, Jamaica, where Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower has been imprisoned for mutiny. He is then visited by his former captain, Commodore Sir Edward Pellew, and he explains how he came to be in prison.
The film then flashes back to 6 months earlier, when Horatio is 3rd Lieutenant onboard HMS Renown, under the command of the famous Captain James Sawyer - an elderly captain, a hero from the Battle of the Nile and a pupil of Admiral Nelson. The other Lieutenants are 4th Lieutenant Archie Kennedy, 2nd Lieutenant William Bush, and 1st Lieutenant Buckland. Despite his reputation, Sawyer is a cruel man whose crew does not respect him. Sawyer remains oblivious, much to Hornblower's discomfort.
After a trip to Plymouth, Renown is sent on a mission to Santo Domingo, then undergoing a slave rebellion, in order to attack a Spanish fort that threatens British trade routes in the West Indies. On the way to Santo Domingo, conditions under Captain Sawyer's command worsen as Midshipman Wellard is beaten multiple times, Horatio is placed on a 36-hour watch, and the crew are given extra rations of rum. Horatio's watch is then extended another 36 hours after Captain Sawyer accuses Horatio and the other lieutenants, except Bush, of mutinous ideas.
Afterwards, Hornblower, in consultation with Buckland and Kennedy, affirms that Captain Sawyer is too old and unfit to command the ship. As the Lieutenants meet about the matter, Bush joins them, agreeing the captain is unfit for command. All the lieutenants agree this is mutiny and know that they will be court-martialled in Kingston. As they meet, the loyal gunner Hobbs informs the captain that the lieutenants are nowhere to be seen and suspects mutiny. The captain calls in the Marines to search for the lieutenants. During the search, Captain Sawyer confronts Lieutenant Kennedy and the captain falls under unclear circumstantances into the hold. It is not clear, to what extend Mr. Hornblower has influenced the fall. As the captain recovers, Buckland is made acting captain but rumours begin to circulate that someone pushed the captain. Captain Sawyer recovers and has Lieutenants Bush, Hornblower, and Kennedy arrested for mutiny.
Renown arrives at Santo Domingo, only to find that the Spanish fort is too high for the ship's guns to be brought to bear. As the Spanish fort open fires on the Renown, Matthews releases the imprisoned lieutenants and Dr.Clive finally deems Captain Sawyer unfit to command. The Lieutenants lock the captain in his cabin and retreat out of range, saving Renown.
Back in present day, Commodore Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth asks Horatio more about the situation, and is keen to learn how Captain Sawyer came to fall.