Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

Year: 1951

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: English

Director: Raoul Walsh

WarHistoryAdventureEpic heroesEpic history and literature

Captain Horatio Hornblower commands the HMS Lydia on a dangerous transatlantic crossing, where his loyal crew confronts a formidable Spanish warship and later clashes with a desperate band of Central American rebels, testing their bravery and resolve amid relentless sea peril.

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Timeline – Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951)

Trace every key event in Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Hornblower receives a secret mission to Central America

In 1807, Captain Horatio Hornblower is tasked with a covert operation to Central America to arm and support Don Julian Alvarado's rebellion against Spanish colonial authorities, an ally of Britain's foe France. The mission places him on a collision course with the colonial authorities and Britain's war with France as an ally of Spain.

1807 Central America
2

Capture and surrender of the Natividad

Hornblower and the Lydia launch a surprise night attack and capture the 60-gun warship Natividad, a far more powerful vessel. He then reluctantly surrenders the ship to Alvarado, and they go their separate ways, with the mission's outcome unsettled.

1807 Off Central America
3

Spain switches sides; new considerations

A Spanish lugger arrives with the news that Spain has switched sides, reshaping alliances in the region. Hornblower must decide how to proceed with Alvarado under the new geopolitical climate.

1807 Open seas near Central America
4

Lady Barbara Wellesley boards the Lydia

Two passengers, Lady Barbara Wellesley and her maid, board the Lydia fleeing a yellow fever epidemic. Hornblower cannot refuse their passage to England, setting the stage for an unexpected relationship.

During voyage to England HMS Lydia
5

Barbara tends the wounded; romance blossoms

Lady Barbara is gravely ill after tending wounded sailors, and Hornblower nurses her back to health. As the voyage proceeds, they grow closer, and a forbidden romance begins to develop.

During voyage On the Lydia en route to England
6

Revelation of marriages and restraint

Barbara confesses she is engaged and Hornblower admits he is married. They acknowledge their feelings but accept that they cannot act on them, yet their bond remains intense.

During voyage On the Lydia
7

Return to England; wife dies

After arriving home, Hornblower learns his wife has died in childbirth, leaving him with an infant son. The bereavement radically changes his personal life and future career.

Upon return England
8

Command of the Sutherland under Leighton

Hornblower is given command of the Sutherland, a 74-gun ship captured from the French, and is assigned to a squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Leighton. Leighton has just returned from his honeymoon with Lady Barbara, adding a personal complication to the command.

After return English Channel / Atlantic
9

Blockade and the French breakout

Leighton’s squadron enforces the blockade of France, and Hornblower learns that four French ships have broken through to support Napoleon’s Iberian campaign. He argues for a broader patrol plan rather than a narrow, cautious approach.

During blockade Off France
10

Audacious deception at the harbor

In violation of orders, Hornblower uses a French flag and the enemy recognition signal to persuade a harbor garrison that the Sutherland is French. He then disarms all four enemy ships, but fort cannon fire forces the British to abandon the Sutherland.

During harbor raid French harbor
11

Escape from Paris to Nantes

Hornblower and his first officer Bush, along with Quist, are captured and taken to Paris for execution. They escape with the help of disguises, making their way to Nantes aboard a captured vessel.

Escape phase Paris to Nantes
12

Return to England as a national hero

Disguised as Dutch officers, Hornblower and his men sail from Nantes to England, freeing British POWs along the way. He is hailed as a national hero upon arrival, though Leighton has died in the attack.

Return journey England via Nantes
13

Final reunion with Lady Barbara

Back in England, Hornblower learns Lady Barbara is there. The two share a final embrace, acknowledging the complexities of their past and future.

Finale England

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:34

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

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