Hornblower Favourite Scenes Picspam
I have been on livejournal and actively involved in fandom for just over two years now, though it feels as if I've been around for ages. This is a picspam tribute to the show, and more specifically certain scenes within this show, that started it all. I owe so much to it, and to all the wonderful people in our small but very friendly fandom.
This is for you all.
SIX
THE FIVE-INCH SHELL
A Scene, lifted almost directly from the books, that gives us such a wonderful insight into Hornblower's character and his long-suffering hero mentality. It is also a scene that shows very well the Bush/Hornblower dynamic I love so much. Bush is concerned for his captain, and he of course wants Hornblower to get all the praise he thinks is due to him. Hornblower, however, doesn't think what he does is brave or noble, and he sees no point "playing it up". Note how Hornblower turns away from Bush to compose himself, and the little nod at the end as he makes up his mind that duty to the exclusion of everything is the most important thing for them as RN officers.
"I trust you will mention your part in the action, Sir?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Bush?"
"The shell, Sir."
"Do you mean the five-inch shell that was fired from shore and failed to explode, Mr Bush? That shell?"
"Well that's hardly a full account, Sir."
"Was it not a five-inch shell?" -"Yes Sir"
"Was it not fired from shore?" -"Yes, of course."
"Or did it perhaps explode without my noticing, Mr Bush?"
"The reason it did not explode Sir was because of your bravery. Bravery which shouldn't go unacknowledged."
"Don't presume to tell me I was brave, Mr Bush."
"I thought I would be blown to blood rags. Like my dear friend."
"Which makes your heroism Sir all the greater."
"We are not actresses. We are the kings officers. And we have a duty to do. And we've not a thought to spare for anything else. Now remember that, Mr Bush."
FIVE
JEALOUSY AND SELF LOATHING
Another wonderful confrontation scene, this time very much a Hornblower/Kennedy scene. It is this scene, more than any other, that convinces me about this pairing. I love how spot on Kennedy is, even in his delirium and sickness, about Hornblower. Perhaps he actively doesn't seek the praise and adoration, though it is more than clear in the books that Hornblower loves that attention, but the fact that Hornblower is always such a good seaman and officer, with a solution to anything and everything all the time, would always incite jealously in others. This is, I suppose, true with almost everything, not just sailing and leadership abilities.
"You're going to drink. You're to eat and you're going to get better. Then we're going to get out of here."
"NO."
"What do you mean you don't want to get back, hmm? Stand on the deck of the Indy? Hear the wind in the rigging?"
"And hear how Horatio Hornblower rescued his shipmate from prison."
"It won't be like that."
"It would be just like that."
"You'll do just the same for me if I were in your shoes."
"But you're not. And you never would be."
"Archie. I won't survive, if you don't help me. None of us would."
"You don't need me."
FOUR
TURNIPS
This is such a lovely funny little scene that is the prelude of sorts to the other clifftop scene in this episode. I love the banter and light teasing between the boys, and the expression on Hornblower's face when Styles gives him a noose to use is priceless!
"All right, are you Horatio?"
"Yes, thank you Archie."
"I remember when you used to be scared of heights Mr Hornblower."
"Nothing's changed, Mr Kennedy."
"They say one should always do what one dislikes." -"Oh yes?"
"When I was a boy, I had to eat turnips."
"Picked them out, did you?"
"Never touched 'em."
THREE
I WAS AFRAID YOU WON'T ASK
I'm such a Bush/Hornblower shipper, and this scene goes straight to this fangirl's heart. Love the genuine, mutual happiness of both men, and the obvious regard they have for each other. The utter delight in Bush's face when Hornblower asks him to be his lieutenant is beautiful.
"So what did the admiral want?"
"A commander. For the Hotspur."
"Congratulations, Horatio. He couldn't have chosen a better man."
"Thank you. She's hardly the renown."
"But she's a fine ship Sir."
"You think so?" -"Yes, I think so."
"And do you also think, Mr Bush, that a lieutenant who has served in a 74 might be happy to serve as a lieutenant in a mere sloop?"
"If you were captain Sir, I believe he might."
"Then will you do me the honour of being my first lieutenant?"
"It is I who will be honoured, sir."
"I was afraid you wouldn't want to."
"I was afraid you wouldn't ask."
"Well we have a ship to rig."
"Aye aye captain."
TWO
BETTER ALREADY
What can I say about this scene that hasn't already been said in hundreds of fanfics? It devastated me when I first saw it - and I didn't even like Kennedy all that much! I had a lot of difficulty rewatching it when I was doing the screencaps for this picspam. It is so heart-wrenching, agonizing, sweat and just arggghhhh!!! One of the best death scenes I've ever seen, I think. Hornblower's "my dear friend" is just devastating.
"Why?"
"Look at me. There isn't a gallows in the world that can touch me now."
"Archie."
"It doesn't hurt, Horatio. Don't let them say it hurts. But, I am frightened."
"You're the bravest man I know, Archie."
"A little prone to panic."
"Archie. You're the one who jumped off a cliff with a man who can't swim, and another who's afraid of heights." -"So I am,"
"No panic then." -"And none now."
"And none when you should up in court and took the blame.
"Poor Horatio. So quick to give. So slow to accept the simplest gifts. You've done the same for me and others besides a thousand times."
"But never at such a dear cost."
"Please take what I offer. Just take it and say goodbye."
"Archie. I'm honoured to have served with you."
"And I to have known you. You see? Better already."
"My dear friend..."
ONE
THREE MUSKETEERS ON A CLIFFTOP
As much as I loved the angsty death scene above, it is THIS scene that got me into the fandom. This was the scene I rewatched again and again on youtube in paroxysms of delight. Whenever someone mentions Hornblower, I think of this scene. Why? Because it is brilliant, hilarious, delightful and just so much fun. When you look at this scene in context with Kennedy's death later in the episode, this is the highpoint for the boys. The last time that they took so much joy in life, their sparkling, adrenaline fuel-ed escapee before things started spiraling out of control. There is also Bush's "I can't swim" which I believe is perhaps a little hint, prophecy if you like, to his fate in the books, which I won't mention in fear of spoiling people. This is a scene to treasure.
"Well looks like it gentlemen."
"No it isn't Mr Bush. Archie?"
"I'm afraid I think you're right." -"What?"
"We're going to jump."
"Well now who's out of his mind."
"See for yourself Mr Bush. It's only water. You won't break anything." -"REALLY?"
"Come. Easier than eating turnips. Mr Kennedy."
"No, no, sorry gentlemen, NO!"
"On the count of three." -"ONE."
"We're not going to jump." -"TWO."
"Now that's my final word."
"And three!"
"AND RUNNNNNNN!!!!!!
"I CAN'T SWIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!"
Comments are ♥ Agree? Disagree? Have I missed a scene of monumental awesomeness that you feel should be up there? Do let me know!!!
All screencaps made by me
This is for you all.
SIX
THE FIVE-INCH SHELL
A Scene, lifted almost directly from the books, that gives us such a wonderful insight into Hornblower's character and his long-suffering hero mentality. It is also a scene that shows very well the Bush/Hornblower dynamic I love so much. Bush is concerned for his captain, and he of course wants Hornblower to get all the praise he thinks is due to him. Hornblower, however, doesn't think what he does is brave or noble, and he sees no point "playing it up". Note how Hornblower turns away from Bush to compose himself, and the little nod at the end as he makes up his mind that duty to the exclusion of everything is the most important thing for them as RN officers.
"I trust you will mention your part in the action, Sir?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Bush?"
"The shell, Sir."
"Do you mean the five-inch shell that was fired from shore and failed to explode, Mr Bush? That shell?"
"Well that's hardly a full account, Sir."
"Was it not a five-inch shell?" -"Yes Sir"
"Was it not fired from shore?" -"Yes, of course."
"Or did it perhaps explode without my noticing, Mr Bush?"
"The reason it did not explode Sir was because of your bravery. Bravery which shouldn't go unacknowledged."
"Don't presume to tell me I was brave, Mr Bush."
"I thought I would be blown to blood rags. Like my dear friend."
"Which makes your heroism Sir all the greater."
"We are not actresses. We are the kings officers. And we have a duty to do. And we've not a thought to spare for anything else. Now remember that, Mr Bush."
FIVE
JEALOUSY AND SELF LOATHING
Another wonderful confrontation scene, this time very much a Hornblower/Kennedy scene. It is this scene, more than any other, that convinces me about this pairing. I love how spot on Kennedy is, even in his delirium and sickness, about Hornblower. Perhaps he actively doesn't seek the praise and adoration, though it is more than clear in the books that Hornblower loves that attention, but the fact that Hornblower is always such a good seaman and officer, with a solution to anything and everything all the time, would always incite jealously in others. This is, I suppose, true with almost everything, not just sailing and leadership abilities.
"You're going to drink. You're to eat and you're going to get better. Then we're going to get out of here."
"NO."
"What do you mean you don't want to get back, hmm? Stand on the deck of the Indy? Hear the wind in the rigging?"
"And hear how Horatio Hornblower rescued his shipmate from prison."
"It won't be like that."
"It would be just like that."
"You'll do just the same for me if I were in your shoes."
"But you're not. And you never would be."
"Archie. I won't survive, if you don't help me. None of us would."
"You don't need me."
FOUR
TURNIPS
This is such a lovely funny little scene that is the prelude of sorts to the other clifftop scene in this episode. I love the banter and light teasing between the boys, and the expression on Hornblower's face when Styles gives him a noose to use is priceless!
"All right, are you Horatio?"
"Yes, thank you Archie."
"I remember when you used to be scared of heights Mr Hornblower."
"Nothing's changed, Mr Kennedy."
"They say one should always do what one dislikes." -"Oh yes?"
"When I was a boy, I had to eat turnips."
"Picked them out, did you?"
"Never touched 'em."
THREE
I WAS AFRAID YOU WON'T ASK
I'm such a Bush/Hornblower shipper, and this scene goes straight to this fangirl's heart. Love the genuine, mutual happiness of both men, and the obvious regard they have for each other. The utter delight in Bush's face when Hornblower asks him to be his lieutenant is beautiful.
"So what did the admiral want?"
"A commander. For the Hotspur."
"Congratulations, Horatio. He couldn't have chosen a better man."
"Thank you. She's hardly the renown."
"But she's a fine ship Sir."
"You think so?" -"Yes, I think so."
"And do you also think, Mr Bush, that a lieutenant who has served in a 74 might be happy to serve as a lieutenant in a mere sloop?"
"If you were captain Sir, I believe he might."
"Then will you do me the honour of being my first lieutenant?"
"It is I who will be honoured, sir."
"I was afraid you wouldn't want to."
"I was afraid you wouldn't ask."
"Well we have a ship to rig."
"Aye aye captain."
TWO
BETTER ALREADY
What can I say about this scene that hasn't already been said in hundreds of fanfics? It devastated me when I first saw it - and I didn't even like Kennedy all that much! I had a lot of difficulty rewatching it when I was doing the screencaps for this picspam. It is so heart-wrenching, agonizing, sweat and just arggghhhh!!! One of the best death scenes I've ever seen, I think. Hornblower's "my dear friend" is just devastating.
"Why?"
"Look at me. There isn't a gallows in the world that can touch me now."
"Archie."
"It doesn't hurt, Horatio. Don't let them say it hurts. But, I am frightened."
"You're the bravest man I know, Archie."
"A little prone to panic."
"Archie. You're the one who jumped off a cliff with a man who can't swim, and another who's afraid of heights." -"So I am,"
"No panic then." -"And none now."
"And none when you should up in court and took the blame.
"Poor Horatio. So quick to give. So slow to accept the simplest gifts. You've done the same for me and others besides a thousand times."
"But never at such a dear cost."
"Please take what I offer. Just take it and say goodbye."
"Archie. I'm honoured to have served with you."
"And I to have known you. You see? Better already."
"My dear friend..."
ONE
THREE MUSKETEERS ON A CLIFFTOP
As much as I loved the angsty death scene above, it is THIS scene that got me into the fandom. This was the scene I rewatched again and again on youtube in paroxysms of delight. Whenever someone mentions Hornblower, I think of this scene. Why? Because it is brilliant, hilarious, delightful and just so much fun. When you look at this scene in context with Kennedy's death later in the episode, this is the highpoint for the boys. The last time that they took so much joy in life, their sparkling, adrenaline fuel-ed escapee before things started spiraling out of control. There is also Bush's "I can't swim" which I believe is perhaps a little hint, prophecy if you like, to his fate in the books, which I won't mention in fear of spoiling people. This is a scene to treasure.
"Well looks like it gentlemen."
"No it isn't Mr Bush. Archie?"
"I'm afraid I think you're right." -"What?"
"We're going to jump."
"Well now who's out of his mind."
"See for yourself Mr Bush. It's only water. You won't break anything." -"REALLY?"
"Come. Easier than eating turnips. Mr Kennedy."
"No, no, sorry gentlemen, NO!"
"On the count of three." -"ONE."
"We're not going to jump." -"TWO."
"Now that's my final word."
"And three!"
"AND RUNNNNNNN!!!!!!
"I CAN'T SWIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!"
Comments are ♥ Agree? Disagree? Have I missed a scene of monumental awesomeness that you feel should be up there? Do let me know!!!
All screencaps made by me