Mutiny (2002 film)
| Mutiny (2002 film) | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Ioan Gruffudd |
| Country of origin |
United Kingdom USA |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Frogs and the Lobsters |
| Followed by | Retribution (2002 film) |
"Mutiny" is the fifth episode of the British film series Hornblower. In was released on March 24, 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, now Commodore, Sir Edward Pellew, where Horatio explains how he came to be in prison.
The film then flashes back to 6 months earlier, where Horatio is 3rd Lieutenant onboard HMS Renown, under the command of renown Captain James Sawyer, an elderly captain, a hero from the Battle of the Nile and a pupil for 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 who runs a disrespecting crew that he doesn't care of their disrespect, much to the dislike of Horatio.
After a trip to Plymouth, Renown is sent on a mission to Santo Domingo, currently undergoing a slave rebellion, to attack a Spanish fort, threatening 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 by Captain's orders. Horatio's watch is then extended another 36 hours after Captain Sawyer accuses Horatio and the other lieutenants, except Bush, of mutinous ideas.
Afterwards, Lieutenants Buckland, Horatio, and Archie confirm 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 they will be court martial led in Kingston. As they meet, a loyal gunner Hobbs informs the captain 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 accidentally falls into the hold. As the captain recovers, Buckland is made acting captain and rumors have it someone pushed the captain. Captain Sawyer does recover and has Lieutenants Bush, Hornblower, and Kennedy arrested for mutiny.
Renown arrives at Santo Domingo, only to find the Spanish fort is too high for the ship's guns to fire at. 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 how did Captain Sawyer came to fall.