HORATIO HORNBLOWER:

THE WRONG WAR

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: violence, language, thematic elements

Rated:

The British frigate Indefatigable has been commissioned by the admiralty to accompany a squadron of homeland troops and French nationalists to France to fight in the revolution. Ever since the uprising, the aristocracy have been forced to flee from their homes across the channel into England. Two such Frenchmen are General Charette, one of King Louis' prized war heroes, and Moncoutant, a military officer and man of noble birth. They plan to enter France unnoticed and storm their way to Paris and victory. Captain Pellew (Robert Lindsay) is not convinced of the stability of this endeavor, particularly after their plans are intercepted and the courier murdered. Uncertain if the private papers have made their way into enemy hands, four English ships are loaded heavily with unruly French troops and set sail.

Also accompanying the crew is Major Edrington (Samuel West) and his army of redcoats. The mission is to help the invaders seize hold of the neighboring countryside in their pursuit toward the capital and ultimate victory. But friction between the two once-opposing armies is strong. Even the crew evidence adverse prejudice against their companions, and Horatio Hornblower (Ioan Gruffuld) is appointed as an emissary between two opposing camps. He and his men are deployed into France with the objective to hold the bridge should they be attacked, and assist Moncoutant in securing the nearby town. But once situated in the small country village, their superior officer shows more interest in molesting the citizens for vengeance in the destruction of his house and grounds than fighting a war against the enemy.

One of his targets is the local schoolteacher Mariette (Estelle Skornik), whose gentle spirit and pretty face win over the protective intentions of Horatio. The young lieutenant is torn between loyalty to his men and the romantic strings of his heart, while at sea Captain Pellew faces similar uncertainties. Only Indefatigable remains in the area as an escape route, symbolizing British belief that if the men are forced to retreat, they will be only a forth their usual strength. These elements combine to create what many believe is the best episode in the film series. The Wrong War has elements of danger, espionage, intrigue, romance, and treachery. There are many different levels of villains, all of them despicable, and the production is first-class. The battles are realistic, the costuming splendid, and the countryside breathtaking.

We come to realize over time that the invasion of France by Moncoutant is nothing more than a chance for vengeance on all those who have opposed him in the past. The first indication of his true intentions is brought with the appearance of a guillotine among his luggage. Upon installing himself in the village, he promptly puts it to work. The fact that he ends his life by a similar means only goes to prove that what you sew, also shall you reap. The storyline is good and allows almost all the characters to show their true colors, however the romance was much too rushed. Horatio stands up for his pretty little French girl at the dinner table, and two scenes later is passionately kissing her. Because time doesn't allow the romance to develop, we feel only minor sadness in their eventual parting. One of the fun elements here is Samuel West's portrayal of a boorish, overbearing, proud British aristocrat-turned-soldier, and Horatio's bad experiences with horses.

There is the usual profanity expected, and a great deal of warfare. Troops are mowed down with enemy gunfire, stabbed with bayonets, and knifed in the back. The guillotine is put to its infamous use; we see the blade descend with its chillingly distinct slashing sound, then hoisted up again covered in blood. Headless bodies in the background are removed during character interaction. A man is shot at point-blank range, with slightly bloody results. Sexual content is to a minimum, although Moncoutant tries to pull a young woman into his lap with mild innuendo. She spits back an insult and leaves the room, at which point Horatio stands up for her. Fearing she may be harmed during the night by unruly soldiers, Horatio stays with her but spends the hours of darkness sitting in a chair in the corner of her room. Major Edrington naturally assumes it involved a romantic fling, as intimated through a mild reference later. Passionate kissing intrudes a few times.

Even with its minor flaws, this episode is one of the best... and involves much-needed romance in a male-dominated world. It also has one of the finest examples of small-screen battle ever seen. The last of the stand-alone films, it foreshadows some coming events but primarily focuses on its own gently-unfolding storyline.